The future of Texas’ taxes and infrastructure is in the hands of voters as polling locations open for the Nov. 4 election.

Early voting is Oct. 20-31 at the following times:

8 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 20-24

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 25 

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 26 

7 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 27-31

Tarrant County residents can find their registration status and sample ballots on the voter lookup page, and can find early voting locations here. Local races can be found on the League of Women Voters of Tarrant County’s voting guide.

Texas will weigh 17 constitutional amendments, including raising the homestead exemption, significantly increasing business tax exemptions, creating a water infrastructure fund and funding dementia research and prevention.

Voters can learn about the amendments at a Constitutional Amendment Forum on Oct. 22 at Trinity Terrace, presented in part by the Fort Worth Report. 

Residents of Texas’ Senate District 9, which covers most of Tarrant County, will cast ballots in a special election for a new state senator. Republican Kelly Hancock resigned from the seat earlier this month to become the acting state comptroller

One Democratic and two Republican candidates are running to fill the seat. 

In August, Tarrant County commissioners reduced the number of early voting locations for the election, despite pushback from residents who argued the move amounted to voter suppression. Commissioners also cut more than 100 voting day locations, arguing the cuts were to save money.

In order to cast a ballot, voters must present one of seven valid photo IDs:

Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety

Texas election identification certificate issued by DPS

Texas personal identification card issued by DPS

Texas handgun license issued by DPS

U.S. military identification card containing the person’s photograph

U.S. citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph

U.S. passport (book or card)

If a voter doesn’t have an acceptable photo ID and cannot reasonably obtain one, they must fill out a reasonable impediment declaration form and present one of the following:

Copy or original of a government document that shows the voter’s name and an address, including the voter’s voter registration certificate

Copy of or original current utility bill

Copy of or original bank statement

Copy of or original government check

Copy of or original paycheck

Copy of or original of a certified U.S. birth certificate or a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter’s identity, which may include a foreign birth document

The Texas constitution is long and highly specific, according to the Texas Reference Library. It requires voter-approved amendments for initiatives like state programs, tax relief and funds. As of last year, 711 amendments had gone to voters, 530 of which were adopted and 181 were voted down.

If the constitutional amendments are approved, they could only be undone through a new constitutional amendment. Constitutional amendments are the only ballot propositions Texans get to vote on at the state level and will appear at the top of voters’ ballots, above any local races.

Drew Shaw is a government accountability reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at drew.shaw@fortworthreport.org or @shawlings601

At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.

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