Over 2.5 million Texans voted in the Nov. 7 election, according to a news release from the Texas Secretary of State. That is 14.4% of registered voters, which is the highest turnout for a constitutional amendment election since 2005, the release said.
All runoff elections will occur on Dec. 9, according to the secretary of state's office.
Updated 11:50 a.m. Nov. 8
All of Texas' 254 counties and 100% of polling locations had reported election results to the Texas Secretary of State as of 11:50 a.m. Nov. 8.
Texas voters approved 13 of 14 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution. Constitutional amendment elections occur when state lawmakers adopt legislation that could change the state Constitution during a regular or specially called legislative session.
Proposition 1 will protect landowners' rights to regulate what happens on their own property and limit state or federal interference.
The proposition passed with 79.03% of votes for and 20.97% against.
Proposition 2 will give city and county governments the option to exempt child care facilities from property taxes.
Voters approved the proposition with 64.78% of votes for and 35.22% against.
"Texas voters have spoken—and it's clear that they think child care needs more support," said David Feigen, the director of early learning policy at Texans Care for Children, in a statement. "We urge our state leaders to listen to the voters, build on this important step forward and make child care a priority during the next legislative session."
Proposition 3 will prevent people and entities from being taxed based on their assets, which is known as a wealth tax. Texas does not have any form of wealth taxes.
The proposition passed with 67.88% of votes for and 32.12% against.
Proposition 4 will raise the state property tax exemption on Texans' primary homes from $40,000 to $100,000. Seniors and people with disabilities will be eligible for a $110,000 homestead exemption.
The value of nonhomestead property—such as second homes and commercial property—worth $5 million or less will not increase by more than 20% per year under the constitutional amendment.
Voters approved the proposition with 83.43% of votes for and 16.57% against.
"Because it's enshrined in the Constitution, the homestead exemption will be there always," bill author Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, told Community Impact. "Wherever people move, wherever they go, that $100,000 homestead exemption will be there to help them."
Proposition 5 will create the Texas University Fund to replace the state's National Research University Fund. Four universities—Texas Tech University, the University of Houston, the University of North Texas and Texas State University—will initially qualify for a $3.9 billion research endowment. Taxes will not increase, as funds will come from the state's $32.7 billion budget surplus, the NRUF and other sources.
The proposition passed with 64.35% of votes for and 35.65% against.
"While Texas consistently attracts top talent both within and beyond its borders, it’s essential for the state’s future economy that we focus more heavily on educating homegrown talent to meet the state’s evolving economic demands," said Jason Smith, the University of Houston's vice president of government and community relations, in a statement. "The Texas University Fund will help us create the state’s next great university, which is critical to our city’s future."
Proposition 6 will create the Texas Water Fund to support new and existing water projects across the state. The Texas Water Development Board will oversee the fund.
Voters approved the proposition with 77.64% of votes for and 22.36% against.
Proposition 7 will establish the Texas Energy Fund to finance the construction, maintenance and operation of electric facilities to ensure the state power grid remains reliable. The Public Utility Commission of Texas will oversee the fund.
The proposition passed with 64.92% of votes for and 35.08% against.
Proposition 8 will create the Texas Broadband Infrastructure Fund to expand access to high-speed internet statewide. The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts will oversee the fund.
Voters approved the proposition with 69.45% of votes for and 30.55% against.
"Right now, nearly 1 in 4 Texans don’t have access to broadband. That translates to 7.4 million people or 3 million households," said Kelty Garbee, the executive director of Texas Rural Funders, in a statement. "The problem is especially acute in our rural communities, where high-speed internet lags or simply doesn’t exist, but Proposition 8 can and will change that."
Proposition 9 will give around 420,000 retired public school employees a cost-of-living adjustment to combat inflation. Those who who retired before 2001 will get a 6% adjustment; those who retired between 2001-2013 will get a 4% adjustment, and those who retired between 2013-2020 will get a 2% adjustment.
The proposition passed with 83.73% of votes for and 16.27% against.
"This is a huge step in the right direction," Tim Lee, the executive director of the Texas Retired Teachers Association, told Community Impact. "This is really going to help them put food on the table and really plan their budgets so that they make ends meet. ... The economy has really hit people on fixed incomes very hard."
Proposition 10 will prevent medical and biomedical manufacturers from paying taxes on their tangible personal property, which the majority of businesses are taxed on. Supporters said the exemption will strengthen the state's medical industry.
Voters approved the proposition with 54.99% of votes for and 45.01% against.
Proposition 11 will create the El Paso County Conservation and Reclamation District. Various counties and regions in Texas have similar districts, which tax local residents to support the creation and development of water services and other facilities.
The proposition passed with 63.34% of votes for and 36.66% against.
Proposition 12 will eliminate the Galveston County Treasurer’s Office, with other county officials taking over the duties of the treasurer.
Texas voters approved the proposition with 52.94% of votes for and 47.06% against. In Galveston County, the proposition received 53.17% of votes for and 46.83% against.
Voters rejected Proposition 13, opting to maintain the mandatory retirement period for state justices and judges, which is 70-75 years old. The proposition asked voters to raise the retirement age to 75-79. Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht is 74 years old.
The proposition failed with 37.31% of votes for and 62.69% against.
Proposition 14 will establish the Texas Centennial Parks Conservation Fund to support the creation and improvement of state parks. Texas has 89 state parks. The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department will oversee the new fund.
Voters approved the proposition with 76.51% of votes for and 23.49% against.
"This historic vote confirms the value Texans place on conserving outdoor spaces for the enjoyment of all Texans," TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz said in a statement. "Thank you for helping us protect future spaces to hike, bike, swim and conserve the natural heritage of Texas."
All results are unofficial until canvassed. Click here to see results from all local and state elections in your community.
Updated 12:15 p.m. Nov. 7
As of 12:15 p.m. Nov. 7, 253 of Texas' 254 counties had reported some results to the Texas Secretary of State.
Proposition 1: 79.43% of votes for, 20.57% against
Proposition 2: 64.91% of votes for, 35.09% against
Proposition 3: 68.64% of votes for, 31.36% against
Proposition 4: 83.82% of Texas voters were in favor of Proposition 4, which will amend the Texas Constitution to provide a $100,000 homestead exemption for Texans' primary homes, establish a temporary 20% limit on annual value increases for nonhomestead property and more. Eligible homeowners can apply to receive the exemption.
"Because it's enshrined in the Constitution, the homestead exemption will be there always," Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, told Community Impact. "Wherever people move, wherever they go, that $100,000 homestead exemption will be there to help them."
Bettencourt led property tax legislation through the Texas Senate during the regular legislative session and two special sessions.
Proposition 5: 64.03% of votes for, 35.97% against
Proposition 6: 77.52% of votes for, 22.48% against
Proposition 7: 64.94% of votes for, 35.06% against
Proposition 8: 69.26% of votes for, 30.74% against
Proposition 9: 83.68% of Texas voters approved Proposition 9, which will give many retired public school employees a cost-of-living adjustment to combat inflation. Those who who retired before 2001 will get a 6% adjustment, those who retired between 2001-2013 will get a 4% adjustment, and those who retired between 2013-2020 will get a 2% adjustment.
Tim Lee, the executive director of the Texas Retired Teachers Association, said roughly 420,000 retirees will benefit from the constitutional amendment.
"This is a huge step in the right direction," Lee told Community Impact. "This is really going to help them put food on the table and really plan their budgets so that they make ends meet... The economy has really hit people on fixed incomes very hard."
Proposition 10: 55.24% of votes for, 44.76% against
Proposition 11: 63.02% of votes for, 36.98% against
Proposition 12: 53.49% of votes for, 46.51% against
Proposition 13: 37.68% of votes for, 62.32% against
Proposition 14: 76.29% of votes for, 23.71% against
Updated 9:45 p.m. Nov. 7
As of 9:45 p.m. Nov. 7, 245 of Texas' 254 counties had reported some results to the Texas Secretary of State.
Results so far showed Texans were in favor of the majority of the constitutional amendments, while over 60% of voters were against Proposition 13. This proposition seeks to raise the mandatory retirement period from 70-75 years old to 75-79 years old for justices and judges on appellate, district and criminal district courts.
Proposition 1: 80.2% of votes for, 19.8% against
Proposition 2: 64.77% of votes for, 35.23% against
Proposition 3: 69.88% of votes for, 30.12% against
Proposition 4: 84.71% of votes for, 15.29% against
Proposition 5: 63.92% of votes for, 36.08% against
Proposition 6: 77.78% of votes for, 22.22% against
Proposition 7: 65.78% of votes for, 34.22% against
Proposition 8: 69.47% of votes for, 30.53% against
Proposition 9: 83.87% of votes for, 16.13% against
Proposition 10: 56.13% of votes for, 43.87% against
Proposition 11: 62.84% of votes for, 37.16% against
Proposition 12: 54.18% of votes for, 45.82% against
Proposition 13: 38.56% of votes for, 61.44% against
Proposition 14: 75.87% of votes for, 24.13% against
Updated 9:45 p.m. Nov. 7
As of 9:45 p.m. Nov. 7, 245 of Texas' 254 counties had reported some results to the Texas Secretary of State.
Results so far showed Texans were in favor of the majority of the constitutional amendments, while over 60% of voters were against Proposition 13. This proposition seeks to raise the mandatory retirement period from 70-75 years old to 75-79 years old for justices and judges on appellate, district and criminal district courts.
Proposition 1: 80.2% of votes for, 19.8% against
Proposition 2: 64.77% of votes for, 35.23% against
Proposition 3: 69.88% of votes for, 30.12% against
Proposition 4: 84.71% of votes for, 15.29% against
Proposition 5: 63.92% of votes for, 36.08% against
Proposition 6: 77.78% of votes for, 22.22% against
Proposition 7: 65.78% of votes for, 34.22% against
Proposition 8: 69.47% of votes for, 30.53% against
Proposition 9: 83.87% of votes for, 16.13% against
Proposition 10: 56.13% of votes for, 43.87% against
Proposition 11: 62.84% of votes for, 37.16% against
Proposition 12: 54.18% of votes for, 45.82% against
Proposition 13: 38.56% of votes for, 61.44% against
Proposition 14: 75.87% of votes for, 24.13% against
Updated 9 p.m. Nov. 7
As of 9 p.m. Nov. 7, 218 of Texas' 254 counties had reported some results to the Texas Secretary of State.
Proposition 1: 79.03% of votes for, 20.97% against
Proposition 2: 65.04% of votes for, 34.96% against
Proposition 3: 68.84% of votes for, 31.16% against
Proposition 4: 84.27% of votes for, 15.73% against
Proposition 5: 64.81% of votes for, 35.19% against
Proposition 6: 78.52% of votes for, 21.48% against
Proposition 7: 65.63% of votes for, 34.37% against
Proposition 8: 69.94% of votes for, 30.06% against
Proposition 9: 83.99% of votes for, 16.01% against
Proposition 10: 56.16% of votes for, 43.84% against
Proposition 11: 63.83% of votes for, 36.17% against
Proposition 12: 54.24% of votes for, 45.76% against
Proposition 13: 38.79% of votes for, 61.21% against
Proposition 14: 76.21% of votes for, 23.79% against
Updated 8 p.m. Nov. 7
As of 8 p.m. Nov. 7, 146 counties had reported some results to the Texas Secretary of State.
Proposition 1: 77.16% of votes for, 22.84% against
Proposition 2: 65.03% of votes for, 34.97% against
Proposition 3: 66.59% of votes for, 33.41% against
Proposition 4: 83.29% of votes for, 16.71% against
Proposition 5: 65.71% of votes for, 34.29% against
Proposition 6: 79.31% of votes for, 20.69% against
Proposition 7: 64.64% of votes for, 35.36% against
Proposition 8: 70.79% of votes for, 29.21% against
Proposition 9: 84.32% of votes for, 15.68% against
Proposition 10: 56.07% of votes for, 43.93% against
Proposition 11: 65.46% of votes for, 34.54% against
Proposition 12: 54.6% of votes for, 45.4% against
Proposition 13: 38.77% of votes for, 61.23% against
Proposition 14: 76.85% of votes for, 23.15% against
Posted 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7
The Texas Secretary of State has released early voting totals for elections on 14 propositions to amend the Texas Constitution.
Constitutional amendment elections occur when state lawmakers adopt legislation that could change the state Constitution during a regular or specially called legislative session. Texans weighed in on property tax cuts, cost-of-living adjustments for retired public school employees, the mandatory retirement age for judges and more.
What you need to know
Proposition 1 aims to protect landowners’ rights to regulate what happens on their own property and limit state or federal interference.
There were 46,964 early votes for the proposition and 11,383 against it.
Proposition 2 would allow city and county governments to offer a property tax exemption to child care facilities. This would reduce property tax burdens on child care organizations, which many families rely on.
There were 36,598 early votes for the proposition and 20,626 against it.
Proposition 3 asks voters to prevent a wealth tax, which is based on a person or entity’s assets, from being imposed in the future. Texas does not currently have any form of wealth taxes.
There were 41,561 early votes for the proposition and 16,055 against it.
Proposition 4 would authorize a $100,000 property tax exemption for Texans’ primary homes; establish a temporary 20% limit on annual value increases for nonhomestead property; require members of appraisal boards in counties of over 75,000 people to serve staggered four-year terms; and prevent funds allocated for property tax relief from going against the state’s constitutional spending limit.
There were 50,979 early votes for the proposition and 7,298 against it.
Proposition 5 would replace Texas’ National Research University Fund with the Texas University Fund. Four universities—Texas Tech University, the University of Houston, the University of North Texas and Texas State University—would qualify for the research endowment. Roughly $273 million would be set aside for 2024-25.
There were 37,588 early votes for the proposition and 19,928 against it.
Proposition 6 asks voters to decide whether to establish the Texas Water Fund, which would support new and existing water projects across the state. The Texas Water Development Board would oversee the new fund.
There were 46,177 early votes for the proposition and 11,776 against it.
Proposition 7 would establish the Texas Energy Fund, which would finance the construction, maintenance and operation of electric facilities to ensure the state power grid remains reliable. The Public Utility Commission of Texas would oversee the new fund.
There were 39,455 early votes for the proposition and 18,632 against it.
Proposition 8 asks voters to authorize the creation of the Texas Broadband Infrastructure Fund, which would help expand high-speed internet access statewide. The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts would oversee the fund.
There were 40,470 early votes for the proposition and 17,126 against it.
Proposition 9 would authorize a cost-of-living adjustment for many former teachers and other retired public school employees. To combat inflation, teachers who retired before 2001 would get a 6% adjustment, those who retired between 2001-2013 would get a 4% adjustment, and those who retired between 2013-2020 would get a 2% adjustment.
There were 48,908 early votes for the proposition and 9,680 against it.
Proposition 10 would prevent medical and biomedical manufacturers from paying taxes on their tangible personal property, which the majority of businesses are currently taxed on. Officials said this exemption would strengthen Texas’ medical industry.
There were 31,171 early votes for the proposition and 25,884 against it.
Proposition 11 would create the El Paso County Conservation and Reclamation District. Various counties and regions in Texas have similar districts, which tax local residents to support the creation and development of water services and other facilities.
There were 34,839 early votes for the proposition and 20,217 against it.
Proposition 12 would eliminate the Galveston County Treasurer’s Office. If approved, other county officials would take over the duties of the treasurer. All Texas voters can vote on the proposition, but it only takes effect if a majority of Galveston County voters authorize it.
There were 28,196 early votes for the proposition and 23,585 against it.
Proposition 13 asks voters to decide whether to raise the mandatory retirement period from 70-75 years old to 75-79 years old for justices and judges on appellate, district and criminal district courts.
There were 20,254 early votes for the proposition and 36,856 against it.
Proposition 14 would create the Texas Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, which would support the creation and improvement of state parks. The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department would oversee the new fund.
There were 43,906 early votes for the proposition and 13,740 against it.
Stay tuned
Totals from ballots cast Nov. 7 have not yet been released. Polls closed at 7 p.m., although voters who were in line by 7 p.m. were still able to vote.
Community Impact will update this article as more Election Day vote totals are released. All results are unofficial until canvassed.
Click here to see results from all local elections in your community.
