Illustration by Lillian Durand<\/a><\/p>\nOn Nov. 4, Texans will have the opportunity to vote on 17 proposed state constitutional amendments and, depending on where they live, a state Senate race.<\/p>\n
Early voting is already underway and will continue through Friday, with Election Day set for Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Since 1876, Texans have participated in constitutional amendment elections under Article 17 of the Texas Constitution, which allows voters to decide on proposed amendments.<\/p>\n
Constitutional amendments are the only ballot propositions Texans get to vote on at the state level. Once an amendment is passed, to undo it, a majority of state lawmakers and Texas voters would need to pass another amendment.<\/p>\n
Here is everything to know about the election, from where to vote to the key issues on the ballot.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s on the ballot?<\/p>\n
The 17 proposed amendments to Texas\u2019 constitution will be accompanied by a brief explanation for each change.<\/p>\n
Most of the propositions aim to decrease or prevent taxes on a variety of demographics, including the following:<\/p>\n
Homeowners (Propositions 11, 13)Businesses (Propositions 2, 9)Elderly and disabled homeowners (Proposition 11)Spouses of veterans (Proposition 7)People who had their home destroyed in a fire (Proposition 10)Property owners in counties with border security infrastructure (Proposition 17)People who sell animal feed (Proposition 5)People working in securities (Proposition 6)People receiving an inheritance (Proposition 8)<\/p>\n
Republican state officials have championed tax cuts as a way to provide relief to families. Gov. Greg Abbott said in a May news release that the Texas Legislature allocated more funds for property tax relief in this legislative session than ever before.<\/p>\n
\u201cTexas home and business owners are on their way to keeping more of their hard-earned money,\u201d Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows said in the release.<\/p>\n
Critics of the tax decreases have raised concerns about not leaving enough funding for school districts and key services like health care. Shannon Halbrook, director of Invest in Texas for left-leaning policy think tank Every Texan, said in a statement that across-the-board tax cuts \u201csacrifice vital revenue.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beyond taxes, some propositions aim to provide funding to the following:<\/p>\n
The Texas State Technical College (Proposition 1)Dementia research (Proposition 14)\u00a0The Texas Water Fund (Proposition 4)<\/p>\n
Proposition 4 would dedicate a portion of revenue derived from state sales and use taxes to the Texas Water Fund. A report published by Texas 2036 estimates that the state needs to invest $153.8 billion to address water infrastructure challenges.<\/p>\n
Other key proposals include Proposition 3, which would require judges to deny bail for people charged with certain felonies, and Proposition 12, which revamps the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. A full list of propositions is available on The Shorthorn\u2019s website.<\/p>\n
Some Tarrant County residents will also have the Texas State Senate District 9 race on their ballot. The seat is currently vacant after former Republican incumbent Kelly Hancock stepped down to become the state\u2019s comptroller earlier this year.<\/p>\n
The comptroller is the chief steward of the state\u2019s finances, acting as tax collector, chief accountant, chief revenue estimator and chief treasurer for the government.<\/p>\n
The candidates for the Senate seat include Republican Leigh Wambsganss, executive director of Patriot Mobile Action; Democrat Taylor Rehmet, a U.S. Air Force veteran and union president; and Republican John Huffman, former mayor of Southlake, Texas.<\/p>\n
Where and when to vote<\/p>\n
Early voting will run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Arlington has six early voting sites:<\/p>\n
ACTIV CenterBob Duncan CenterCity of Arlington South Service CenterElzie Odom Athletic CenterTarrant County College Southeast CampusTarrant County Sub-Courthouse\u00a0<\/p>\n
On Election Day, Tuesday, voting will run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Arlington has more than 30 Election Day voting sites, including the following:<\/p>\n
ACTIV CenterTarrant County Sub-CourthouseBob Duncan Center\u00a0Southeast Branch Library\u00a0East Library and Recreation Center\u00a0Kenneth Davis Elementary School\u00a0R. F. Patterson Elementary School\u00a0Summit High School Performing Arts Center\u00a0T. A. Howard Middle School\u00a0Martha Reid Leadership Academy<\/p>\n
What to bring to the polls<\/p>\n
Residents must bring one valid form of identification to the polls, which can include the following:<\/p>\n
Texas driver\u2019s license issued by the Texas Department of Public SafetyTexas election identification certificate issued by DPSTexas personal identification card issued by DPSTexas handgun license issued by DPSU.S. military ID\u00a0 with a photoU.S. citizenship certificate with a photoU.S. passport (book or card)\u00a0<\/p>\n
If a voter does not have any of those seven forms of identification, and cannot reasonably obtain one, they can still vote using the following:<\/p>\n
Copy or an original of any government document that shows the voter\u2019s name and an addressValid voter registration certificateCertified birth certificateDocument confirming birth admissible in a court of law<\/p>\n
After presenting one of the forms of supporting ID listed above, the voter must fill out a reasonable impediment declaration form.<\/p>\n
@PMalkomes<\/p>\n
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