VElection Guide 2015 | Northwest Austin Editionoters will head to the polls Nov. 3 to decide whether to shift millions of dollars in funds to Texas roads, grant certain elected officials the ability to live outside of the state capital and increase the amount certain homeowners can save on property taxes.

On the ballot are seven proposed constitutional amendments, which were crafted in joint resolutions by the House of Representatives and Senate during the previous legislative session. The resolutions required at least a two-thirds “yes” vote by the members of each chamber to be presented to voters and cannot be vetoed by the governor.

Proposition 1 would raise the value of the property tax homestead exemption for public schools from $15,000 to $25,000.

According to a report from the House Research Organization, a nonpartisan group that provides information on legislation to the Texas Legislature, supporters of the proposition say the increase would provide much-needed property tax relief to Texans and drive economic growth. However, opponents say they would rather see other tax-cut alternatives that would provide more equitable relief.

Election Guide 2015 | Northwest Austin EditionProposition 2 seeks to change a constitutional amendment voters approved in 2011 that allowed the surviving spouses of 100 percent disabled veterans an exemption on property taxes, as long as the surviving spouse had not remarried. That amendment did not apply to surviving spouses of veterans who died before 2011.

Proposition 3 would repeal a constitutional requirement that stipulates statewide elected officials reside in Austin during their terms of office.

Proposition 4 would let legislators enact laws allowing professional sports team charitable foundations to conduct charitable raffles. Proposition 4 and its enabling legislation, HB 975, would allow 50/50 raffles at professional sports games in which 50 percent of ticket sales are awarded in cash prizes and the other half goes to charity.

Proposition 5 would increase the maximum population threshold of a county that is allowed to construct and maintain private roads from 5,000 to 7,500.

Proposition 6 would amend the Bill of Rights to establish the right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife in Texas, including by the use of traditional methods.

Proposition 7 proposes to dedicate funding from the state’s sales and use tax revenue as well as motor vehicle sales, use and rental tax revenue to the State Highway Fund.

Supporters say the proposition would provide a consistent source for funding transportation projects. Opponents say it could tie the hands of legislators in future years and could cause larger cuts in other state services during tight fiscal times. See Page 22 for more information on Proposition 7.




Polling Locations


Registered voters in Travis and Williamson counties can cast their ballot at any vote center within their respective county during early voting and on Election Day. For more information on elections visit www.traviscountyelections.org or www.wilco.org/elections.




Early voting locations



Travis County


Ben Hur Shrine Center, 7811 Rockwood Lane, Austin

County Tax Office, 15822 Foothill Farms Loop, Pflugerville

Randalls, 10900-D Research Blvd., Austin

A complete list of Travis County locations may be found at www.traviscountyelections.org.

Williamson County


Anderson Mill Limited District, 11500 El Salido Parkway, Austin

Brushy Creek Community Center, 16318 Great Oaks Drive, Round Rock

Randalls, 1400 Cypress Creek Road, Cedar Park

A complete list of Williamson County locations may be found at www.wilco.org/elections.




Election Day voting locations



Travis County


Anderson High School, 8403 Mesa Drive

Austin Community College Northridge campus, 11928 Stonehollow Drive

Austin Fire Station No. 33, 9409 Bluegrass Drive

Ben Hur Shrine Center, 7811 Rockwood Lane

Brookdale (formerly Emeritus) North Austin, 5310 Duval Road

Burnet Middle School, 8401 Hathaway Drive

Canyon Creek Elementary School, 10210 Ember Glen Drive

Celebration Church, 10401 Anderson Mill Road

Grant AME Worship Center, 1701 Kramer Lane

Hallmark Baptist Church, 9023 Old Lampasas Trail

Great Hills Baptist Church, 10500 Jollyville Road

Gus Garcia Recreation Center, 1201 E. Rundberg Lane

Hartfield Performing Arts Center, 5800 McNeil Drive

Hill Elementary School, 8601 Tallwood Road

Kathy Caraway Elementary School, 11104 Oak View Drive

Lakewood Homeowners Association, 7317 Lakewood Drive

Lanier High School, 1201 Payton Gin Road

McBee Elementary School, 1001 W. Braker Lane

Murchison Middle School, 3700 N. Hills Drive

National American University, 13801 Burnet Road, Ste. 300

North Village Library, 2505 Steck Ave.

Northwest Elementary School, 14014 Thermal Drive

Parmer Lane Elementary School, 1806 Parmer Lane

Renaissance Retirement Center, 11279 Taylor Draper Lane

River Oaks Elementary School, 12401 Scofield Farms Drive

River Place Elementary School, 6500 Sitio Del Rio Blvd.

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 8134 Mesa Drive

United Christian Church, 3500 W. Parmer Lane

Walnut Creek Elementary School, 401 W. Braker Lane

Williamson County


Anderson Mill Limited District, 11500 El Salido Parkway

Bethany United Methodist Church, 10010 Anderson Mill Road

Clairmont Retirement Community, 12463 Los Indios Trail

Kelly Reeves Athletic Center, 10211 W. Parmer Lane

La Quinta Inn & Suites, 10701 Lakeline Mall Drive

Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 9700 Neenah Ave.

Northwest Fellowship, 13427 Pond Springs Road

Rattan Creek Park Community Building, 7617 Elkhorn Mountain Trail