An Inside Look at the Ballot for the Constitutional Amendment Special Election

As early voting wraps up for the Constitutional Amendment Special election, voters can still cast their vote on Election Day which takes place on Tuesday, November 5.

This year’s ballot consists of 10 propositions that may need a little translating, so let’s take a look and see what they mean.

Proposition 1:
“The constitutional amendment permitting a person to hold more than one office as a municipal judge at the same time.”

Translation:

This would allow elected or appointed municipal judges to hold more than one office at the same time.

Proposition 2:

“The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of additional general obligation bonds by the Texas Water Development Board in an amount not to exceed $200 million to provide financial assistance for the development of certain projects in economically distressed areas.”

Translation:

This would allow the Texas Water Development Board to issue bonds on a continuing basis, but not exceeding $200 million to provide financial assistance for development of certain projects in economically distressed areas.

Proposition 3:

“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion of the appraised value of certain property damaged by a disaster.”

Translation:

This would allow the legislature to temporarily exempt from ad valorem taxation on a portion of certain property located in areas that are declared as disaster areas.

Proposition 4:

“The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of an individual income tax, including a tax on an individual’s share of partnership and unincorporated association.”

Translation:

This would prohibit the state from imposing or collecting an individual income tax.

Proposition 5:

“The constitutional amendment dedicating the revenue received from the existing state sales and use taxes that are imposed on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission to protect Texas’ natural areas, water quality, and history by acquiring, managing, and improving state and local parks and historic sites while not increasing the rate of the state sales and use taxes.”

Translation:

This would allow the net revenue from the sales tax of sporting goods to be put toward the Texas Parks and Wildfire Department and the Texas Historical Commission.

Proposition 6:

“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase by $3 billion the maximum bond amount authorized for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.”

Translation:

This would increase the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas bond maximum amount from the $3 billion to $6 billion

Proposition 7:

“The constitutional amendment allowing increased distributions to the available school fund.”

Translation:

This would increase the amount of distributions the General Land Office can transfer to the Available School Fund from $300 million to $600 million. It will also allow the State Board of Education and other entities to direct funds from land-related proceeds.

Proposition 8:

“The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the flood infrastructure fund to assist in the financing of drainage, flood mitigation, and flood control projects.”

Translation:

A Flood Infrastructure Fund would be created and allow the Texas Water Development Board to use the fund for projects related to drainage, flood mitigation and flood control projects.

Proposition 9:
“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation precious metal held in a precious metal depository located in this state.”

Translation:

This means that precious metal depositories located in Texas would be exempt from taxation.

Proposition 10:

“The constitutional amendment to allow the transfer of a law enforcement animal to a qualified caretaker in certain circumstances.”

Translation:

This means that animals who previously worked with law enforcement would be able to be adopted by the handler or a another caretaker.

The City of Southlake does not have any items to be voted on in the November 2019 election.  To view the sample ballot click here.

Election Day schedules, locations and maps for your precinct can be found by using Tarrant County’s Interactive Voter Lookup. Results will be released by Tarrant County as they become available.

For additional questions regarding the conduct of the elections please contact the Tarrant County Elections Offices at 817-831-8683.