We have an upcoming election day in Texas on November 2nd where you will see 8 state propositions on the ballot, each a proposed amendment to the Texas Constitution and voters can vote for or against each of them.

Because the state constitution cannot be amended by citizen-led ballot initiatives or petitions, all of the potential amendments originated in the Texas Legislature. Therefore, Texans vote on amendments in the fall of odd-numbered years, following the spring legislative session.

Below is a list of the propositions to be voted on this time around:

Proposition 1 (HJR 143)

This amendment would add professional rodeo charitable foundations that are sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association or the Women's Professional Rodeo Association to the list of similar foundations for other professional sports associations that are allowed to hold raffles. If approved, the raffles may be held at rodeos in Texas.

Proposition 2 (HJR 99)

Currently, the Texas Constitution allowed the Legislature to authorize cities to issue bonds or notes to pay for the development or redevelopment of transportation or infrastructure in "unproductive, underdeveloped or blighted areas." This amendment would add counties to the political entities that can issue bonds or notes for that purpose and to pledge increases in property tax revenues to repay those bonds or notes. However, if a county issues bonds for transportation improvements, the county may not allocate more than 65% of the property tax increases annually to repay the bonds nor use the bond proceeds to finance toll road construction, operation, maintenance or right-of-way acquisition.

Proposition 3 (SJR 27)

This amendment would add a new section to Article 1 of the Texas Constitution, or the "Texas Bill of Rights," and would prohibit state or local governments from prohibiting or limiting religious services. This proposed amendment is in response to certain restrictions put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Proposition 4 (SJR 47)
This amendment would change the eligibility requirements for judges to run for office. Currently, a candidate for the Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals and regional Courts of Appeals must have been a practicing lawyer for at least 10 years or a practicing lawyer or judge of a court of record for a combined total of 10 years. This amendment would add the requirement that the candidate be licensed in the State of Texas for at least 10 years and defines the court of record as a state court or county court established by the Legislature. Additionally, during the 10-year period, the candidate's law license must not have been revoked or suspended. This amendment would add the requirement that a district judge candidate be a Texas resident and would change the four-year requirement to eight years. Again, during that period, the candidate's license must not have been revoked or suspended.

Proposition 5 (HJR 165)

Right now, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct accepts complaints against, and investigates and takes actions concerning, alleged misconduct by judges who are currently in office. This amendment would extend that power to judicial candidates as well.

Proposition 6 (SJR 19)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, family members and other caregivers were restricted from access to nursing homes and similar facilities. This amendment would allow a resident of such a facility to name a person as their essential caregiver and visits from that caregiver would become the resident's constitutional right.

Proposition 7 (HJR 125)

If passed, this proposition would update the Texas Constitution to allow surviving spouses of disabled persons a limit on school district property tax. Currently, the limitation is provided to homeowners over the age of 65 and to disabled persons. Under the proposed amendment, the spouse must be at least 55 when the disabled person died and still live in the home to be eligible.

Proposition 8 (SJR 35)

At this time, the surviving spouse of a military member who is killed "in action" is entitled to an exemption from property taxes. The exemption is for the property tax on the market value of the spouse's residence homestead if they have not remarried. This amendment would expand eligibility for the same exemption to spouses of members of the military who are killed "in the line of duty," rather than "in action." A death "in the line of duty" means their death was due to injuries not related to combat but still sustained as a result of their military duties.

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Here is the voting information you need to know. In-person early voting for the Nov. 2 election will run from Monday, Oct. 18, to Friday, Oct. 29. The last day to apply for a mail-in ballot is Friday, Oct. 22. Mail-in ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Nov. 2 or 5 p.m. on Nov. 3 if the envelope was postmarked by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

On Election Day, polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For early voters, polls are open at the same time Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information, click here.

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