Elections for local races and two constitutional amendments will be held this Saturday. All voters in Texas will have two propositions on the ballot. Many cities have local issues and races as well.
Proposition 1 would lower the property tax burden for those who are disabled or over 65. Those homeowners can have their property taxes frozen, but a measure passed in 2019 lowered school district tax rates and did not include changes for those whose taxes were already frozen.
Proposition 2 would increase the homestead exemption from $25,000 to $40,000.
"We always encourage, go to your county elections website. There are sample ballots posted there," says Collin County Elections Administrator Bruce Sherbet. "Look to see what your ballot's going to look like when you get to the polling place, so you can be a bit more prepared."
The Texas Secretary of State says turnout in early voting statewide was 4.84%. In Collin County, turnout was 4.92%; turnout was 3.81% in Dallas County, 5.66% in Tarrant County and 7.92% in Denton County.
"These elections in May are historically lower turnout elections if you're comparing them to a November election," Sherbet says.
In addition to the constitutional amendment election Saturday, early voting begins Monday, May 16 in the primary run-off scheduled for May 24.
"Voters voting by mail have been getting a little confused because they're getting two different ballots, thinking, 'Why can't you just put them all on one ballot?' These are two complete, separate elections," Sherbet says.
In Saturday's election, voters in Fort Worth also have a charter election and are deciding a $560 million bond broken into five parts. The bond would not increase the tax rate.
The bond would include $360,218,300 for streets and mobility-related projects, $123,955,500 for park and recreation projects, $12,505,200 for a new library in far northwest Fort Worth, $39,321,000 for police and fire public safety facilities, and $15,000,000 for the city’s Open Space program. Details are available at www.fortworthtexas.gov.
Sample ballots are available at: Collin County, Dallas County, Denton County, Ellis County, Johnson County, Tarrant County
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