Eight amendments to the Texas Constitution are on the ballot today. Polls in most counties are open from 7:00am until 7:00pm.
Two of the propositions on the ballot relate to issues that were raised during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic last year. Two others relate to property taxes, while another two would affect candidate running for judicial offices in Texas.
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Proposition 1 would allow charitable raffles at rodeo events. Unauthorized raffles can be considered gambling. Texas has allowed charitable raffles at other professional sporting events since 2015.
Proposition 2 would allow counties to issue bonds to raise funds for transportation infrastructure projects. Those projects could include roads, but not toll roads.
Proposition 3 would prevent state or local health authorities from imposing attendance limits on religious services. Some health authorities moved to ban or limit indoor gatherings at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic last year as a way to prevent the spread of the virus. That move raised objections by some religious leaders.
Proposition 4 would change the minimum requirements for candidates for some judicial positions in Texas. Candidates for the Texas Supreme Court, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the state appeals courts would be required to have ten years of experience practicing law in Texas. Currently, candidates are allowed to count their legal experience in other states to meet the ten year minimum requirement.
Proposition 5 would allow the State Commission on Judicial Conduct to accept complaints about candidates running for judicial seats.
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Proposition 6 would allow nursing home residents to designate someone not on the staff as their "essential caregiver". That person could not be denied access to the facility. During the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, nursing homes stopped allowing outside visitors as a way to limit the spread of the virus.
Proposition 7 would provide a property tax limit for selected families. The limit would apply to households in which someone over the age of 65 with a disability has died. The surviving spouse would be able to apply for limit on school district taxes, as long as that person is at least 55 years old and still lives in the home.
Proposition 8 would make more military families eligible for homestead tax exemptions. Current state law allows exemptions for families of military service members who are killed in action. The proposed amendment would expand that to families of military members who are killed in the line of duty but not in combat, such as in motor vehicle accidents.
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