Louisiana Voters Overwhelmingly Support Relief for People Convicted by Non-Unanimous Juries
New statewide poll results released as Senate Bill 218 comes up for final passage in the Senate
A new statewide poll reveals that Louisiana voters overwhelmingly support relief for people convicted by non-unanimous “Jim Crow” juries. According to the poll conducted by Actionable Intel LLC, 65% of likely voters surveyed believe that people still incarcerated due to a non-unanimous jury conviction should be given a chance for retrial or resentencing.
“These results confirm the common sense shared by Louisiana voters and advocates alike – that unconstitutional convictions cannot stand without an opportunity for further review,” said Hardell Ward, PJI Director of Community Impact. “Sen. Duplessis has offered a workable bill and engaged legislative colleagues from both parties to develop amendments in response to questions and concerns. Unfortunately, political players like the Louisiana District Attorneys Association are attempting to block any possible solutions without proposing amendments or fair alternatives to address this core issue of justice.”
The poll, conducted by Actionable Intel LLC from May 1–8, 2025, surveyed 1,008 Louisiana residents who are likely voters for the 2026 election using a census-balanced methodology with a margin of error of ±3.2%. Only about one-third of respondents indicated a belief that people convicted by Jim Crow juries should continue to serve their full sentences without review, while the strong majority favoring reconsideration underscores the public’s belief that Louisiana must correct these unconstitutional outcomes. The poll also found broad support for other criminal justice reforms, including compensation for the wrongfully convicted and improved programming for reentry.
“Louisiana’s loophole to trap people without constitutional convictions in prison is unconscionable, and the U.S. Supreme Court made in clear in Ramos that juries must agree on a person’s guilt to take their freedom away.,” said Samantha Kennedy, PJI Executive Director. “Louisiana lawmakers now have an opportunity to finally address this history and to recognize the right of every Louisianan to a fair process in the criminal legal system.”
On April 29, a Louisiana state senate committee voted to advance Sen. Royce Duplessis’ bill (SB218) to provide a new remedy to people incarcerated with unconstitutional non-unanimous jury verdicts. The bill would create a pathway for people with a non-unanimous jury verdict to receive a constitutional trial. The bill advanced on a 5-1 vote including three Democrats and two Republicans voting in favor and is scheduled for final passage in the Louisiana Senate today.
In 2018, advocates and supporters organized the “Yes on 2” campaign which resulted in a successful state constitutional amendment outlawing non-unanimous jury convictions in Louisiana going forward. In 2019, the Promise of Justice Initiative took the case Ramos v. Louisiana to the United States Supreme Court which ruled that non-unanimous jury verdicts violate the Sixth Amendment. However, the Louisiana Supreme Court subsequently refused to apply the Ramos decision for past convictions, initially denying about 1,500 people legal relief.
Non-unanimous juries are called “Jim Crow Juries” because they originated as laws intended to subjugate Black Louisianans during the Jim Crow era following Reconstruction. Learn more about Jim Crow Juries at www.promiseofjustice.org/jimcrowjuries.