Texas voted yesterday for eight proposed amendments to the state constitution. These were passed as bills during this year’s legislative sessions but required voter approval. Here are the election results:
PROP 1
Allowing charitable raffles at rodeo events by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association or the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. Unauthorized raffles can be considered illegal gambling under Texas law.
For: 1,058,224 Votes (84%)
Against: 204,551 Votes (16%)
Prop 2
Authorizing counties to issue bonds or notes to raise funds for transportation and infrastructure in underdeveloped areas. Cities and towns already have the authority to fund projects with this financing method.
For: 793,918 Votes (63%)
Against: 463,479 Votes (27%)
Prop 3
Banning the state from prohibiting or limiting religious services, including those in churches and other places of worship.
For: 796,492 Votes (63%)
Against: 466,138 (37%)
Prop 4
Requiring candidates to have 10 years of experience practicing law in Texas to be eligible for election to the Texas Supreme Court, the Court of Criminal Appeals or a Texas court of appeals. Currently, the law requires 10 years of experience but allows for out-of-state experience. Also, candidates running to be a district judge would be required to have eight years of experience practicing law in Texas, up from the current requirement of four years.
For: 720,425 Votes (59%)
Against: 504,188 (41%)
Prop 5
Allowing the State Commission on Judicial Conduct to have oversight of candidates running for judicial office by accepting complaints or reports, conducting investigations and reprimanding them. The commission already has oversight over current judicial officeholders.
For: 725,894 (59%)
Against: 499,128 (41%)
Prop 6
Allowing residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities to designate one essential caregiver who cannot be denied in-person visitation rights.
For: 1,102,903 (88%)
Against: 151,357 (12%)
Prop 7
Limiting school district property taxes incurred by the surviving spouse of a person with disabilities who is older than 65 and has died. The surviving spouse must be at least 55 years old at the partner’s time of death and still live in the home.
For: 1,091,710 Votes (87%)
Against: 165,150 (13%)
Prop 8
Expanding eligibility for residential homestead property tax exemptions to include spouses of military members killed or fatally injured in the line of duty. Currently, the exemption is extended to spouses of military members killed in action.
For: 1,096,306 Votes (87%)
Against: 157,498 Votes (13%)
