TEXANS APPROVE MAJORITY OF CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

  

Thirteen of the 14 constitutional amendments on the ballot in Texas were passed by voters on Tuesday.

The approved amendments range from increased property tax exemptions, cost-of-living raises for retired teachers, protecting the right to farm and ranch, and establishing funds for higher education research, water and energy infrastructure, broadband, and state parks. 

The lone amendment that failed to pass was Proposition 13, which would have raised the retirement age for state judges. 

The amendments cutting property taxes and improving payouts for retired teachers passed with the most support, as over 83 percent of voters were in favor.

Click here to view unofficial results from the Texas Secretary of State's Office.

Washington County voted along with the state in supporting every proposition except for Proposition 13.

According to unofficial results provided by Washington County Elections Administrator Carol Jackson, a total of 5,033 ballots were cast, including 3,013 during early voting, 1,957 on Election Day and 63 absentee.  Washington County has 24,848 registered voters, so that amounts to a 20.26 percent voter turnout. 

In comparison to recent off-year elections, November 2019 had 2,917 voters, while November 2021 had 2,660.  The joint constitutional amendment election and Brenham ISD bond election in May 2022 saw 4,225 voters participate.

FINAL UNOFFICIAL RESULTS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY

PROPOSITION 1 - PROTECTING THE RIGHT TO ENGAGE IN FARMING, RANCHING, TIMBER PRODUCTION, HORTICULTURE, AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

FOR - 4,342           AGAINST - 643

PROPOSITION 2 - AUTHORIZING A LOCAL OPTION EXEMPTION FROM AD VALOREM TAXATION BY A COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY OF ALL OR PART OF THE APPRAISED VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY USED TO OPERATE A CHILD-CARE FACILITY

FOR - 2,842          AGAINST - 2,023

PROPOSITION 3 - PROHIBITING THE IMPOSITION OF AN INDIVIDUAL WEALTH OR NET WORTH TAX, INCLUDING A TAX ON THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF AN INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY

FOR - 3,942           AGAINST - 968

PROPOSITION 4 - AUTHORIZES THE LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH A TEMPORARY LIMIT ON THE MAXIMUM APPRAISED VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY OTHER THAN A RESIDENCE HOMESTEAD FOR AD VALOREM TAX PURPOSES; TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF THE EXEMPTION FROM AD VALOREM TAXATION BY A SCHOOL DISTRICT APPLICABLE TO RESIDENCE HOMESTEADS FROM $40,000 TO $100,000; TO ADJUST THE AMOUNT OF THE LIMITATION ON SCHOOL DISTRICT AD VALOREM TAXES IMPOSED ON THE RESIDENCE HOMESTEADS OF THE ELDERLY OR DISABLED TO REFLECT INCREASES IN CERTAIN EXEMPTION AMOUNTS; TO EXCEPT CERTAIN APPROPRIATIONS TO PAY FOR AD VALOREM TAX RELIEF FROM THE CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITATION ON THE RATE OF GROWTH OF APPROPRIATIONS; AND TO AUTHORIZE THE LEGISLATURE TO PROVIDE FOR A FOUR-YEAR TERM OF OFFICE FOR A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CERTAIN APPRAISAL DISTRICTS

FOR - 4,460            AGAINST - 478

PROPOSITION 5 - RELATING TO THE TEXAS UNIVERSITY FUND, WHICH PROVIDES FUNDING TO CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO ACHIEVE NATIONAL PROMINENCE AS MAJOR RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES AND DRIVE THE STATE ECONOMY

FOR - 2,735            AGAINST - 2,124

PROPOSITION 6 - CREATING THE TEXAS WATER FUND TO ASSIST IN FINANCING WATER PROJECTS IN THIS STATE

FOR - 3,599            AGAINST - 1,302

PROPOSITION 7 - PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF THE TEXAS ENERGY FUND TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE, MODERNIZATION, AND OPERATION OF ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITIES

FOR - 3,414             AGAINST - 1,504

PROPOSITION 8 - CREATING THE BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE FUND TO EXPAND HIGH-SPEED BROADBAND ACCESS AND ASSIST IN THE FINANCING OF CONNECTIVITY PROJECTS

FOR - 3,226            AGAINST - 1,654

PROPOSITION 9 - AUTHORIZING THE 88TH LEGISLATURE TO PROVIDE A COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT TO CERTAIN ANNUITANTS OF THE TEACHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF TEXAS

FOR - 4,010           AGAINST - 965

PROPOSITION 10 - AUTHORIZES THE LEGISLATURE TO EXEMPT FROM AD VALOREM TAXATION EQUIPMENT OR INVENTORY HELD BY A MANUFACTURER OF MEDICAL OR BIOMEDICAL PRODUCTS TO PROTECT THE TEXAS HEALTHCARE NETWORK AND STRENGTHEN OUR MEDICAL SUPPLY CHAIN

FOR - 2,661            AGAINST - 2,190

PROPOSITION 11 - AUTHORIZING THE LEGISLATURE TO PERMIT CONSERVATION AND RECLAMATION DISTRICTS IN EL PASO COUNTY TO ISSUE BONDS SUPPORTED BY AD VALOREM TAXES TO FUND THE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

FOR - 2,685            AGAINST - 1,967

PROPOSITION 12 - PROVIDING FOR THE ABOLITION OF THE OFFICE OF COUNTY TREASURER IN GALVESTON COUNTY

FOR - 2,396            AGAINST - 2,067

PROPOSITION 13 - INCREASES THE MANDATORY AGE OF RETIREMENT FOR STATE JUSTICES AND JUDGES

FOR - 2,008             AGAINST - 2,880

PROPOSITION 14 - PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF THE CENTENNIAL PARKS CONSERVATION FUND TO BE USED FOR THE CREATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF STATE PARKS

FOR - 3,663            AGAINST - 1,246