Early voting for the Nov. 5 election began Oct. 21, and Harris and Montgomery County residents are able to vote on nine constitutional amendments set by the 83rd Legislative Session.
Early voting continues through Nov. 1. Residents can vote at any of the local early voting locations:
Harris County
Tomball Public Works Building, 501B James St., Tomball
A complete list of Harris County polling locations may be found at www.harrisvotes.com.
Montgomery County
Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department Station 181, 18215 Buddy Riley Blvd., Magnolia
A complete list of Montgomery County polling locations may be found at www.mctx.org/election.
Constitutional amendments
If passed, the amendments would provide changes to the Texas Constitution ranging from purchasing property to veterans assistance to state-wide water rights.
Proposition 1:
"Constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a member of the armed services of the United States who is killed in action."
The Legislature could grant the surviving spouse of a U.S. military member killed in action property tax exemption for all or part of a homestead.
Proposition 2:
"Constitutional amendment eliminating an obsolete requirement for a State Medical Education Board and a State Medical Education Fund, neither of which is operational."
A requirement for a State Medical Education Board and Educational Fund would be eliminated. The fund, created to attract physicians to underserved rural areas, was ineffective and has not been used in 20 years.
Proposition 3:
"Constitutional amendment to authorize a political subdivision of this state to extend the number of days that aircraft parts that are exempt from ad valorem taxation due to their location in this state for a temporary period may be located in this state for purposes of qualifying for tax exemption."
A governing entity could allow companies to keep tax-exempt airplane parts, categorized as freeport goods, in the state longer without losing their tax-exempt status. Airplane parts are generally held in inventory for longer periods of time than most freeport goods because of a lack of consumer need.
Proposition 4:
"Constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of part of the market value of the residence homestead of a partially disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a partially disabled veteran if the residence homestead was donated to the disabled veteran by a charitable organization."
The legislature could authorize a property tax exemption for a partially disabled veteran or a surviving spouse equal to the percentage of the veteran's disability if the homestead was donated by a charitable organization. Property tax exemptions are already in place for completely disabled veterans and their surviving spouses.
Proposition 5:
"Constitutional amendment to authorize the making of a reverse mortgage loan for the purchase of a homestead property and to amend lender disclosures and other requirements in connection with a reverse mortgage loan."
The amendment would allow the authorization of a reverse mortgage for the purchase of a homestead property. It would expand the conditions of when a lender may require repayment to include the borrower's failure to occupy the property within the period specified in the loan agreement.
Proposition 6:
"Constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas and the State Water Implementation Revenue Fund for Texas to assist in the financing of priority projects in the state water plan to ensure the availability of adequate water resources."
The amendment would allow for the creation of a State Water Implementation Fund and revenue fund, which would go toward the creation of the substantial water supply that will be needed in coming decades. According to the 2012 state plan, 8.3 million acres of additional water supply will be needed by 2060.
Proposition 7:
"Constitutional amendment authorizing a home-rule municipality to provide in its charter the procedures to fill a vacancy on its governing body for which the unexpired term is 12 months or less."
A home-rule designated city could decide how to fill a vacancy on its governing body as long as the unexpired term is 12 months or less. Currently, cities must call for a special election to fill a short-term vacancy.
Proposition 8:
"Constitutional amendment repealing Section 7, Article IX, Texas Constitution, which related to the creation of a hospital district in Hidalgo County."
The amendment would repeal a 1959 provision limiting the feasibility of creating a hospital district in Hidalgo County. The county is the largest in Texas without a hospital district.
Proposition 9:
"Constitutional amendment relating to expanding types of sanctions that may be assessed against a judge or justice following a formal proceeding instituted by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct."
The amendment would expand the sanctions that may be assessed against a judge or justice following a formal proceeding to include a public admonishment, warning, reprimand or requirement that the judge or justice obtain additional training or education.
