Bill backed linking La., presidential elections

[Freddie Stubbs]

Contests for governor and other offices would be decided in presidential election years under a bill approved Wednesday by the House and Governmental Affairs Committee.

The measure, House Bill 80, next faces action in the full House, which approved a similar proposal last year before it died in the Senate.

Rep. Peppi Bruneau, R-New Orleans and sponsor of the plan, said most states decide statewide contests in presidential election years. Bruneau said voter turnout for presidential elections is typically about 70 percent in Louisiana compared to about 55 percent in races for governor.

Critics say the change would extend four-year terms for Gov. Kathleen Blanco and others by 11 months to get the state on a new election cycle. The extra year would benefit lawmakers who have to leave office in 2007 because of Louisiana's term limits law.

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