Early voting in Texas is Oct. 19 through Oct. 30. Election Day is Nov. 3. (Eric Gay/Associated Press)

Texas Election 2015 Voters have a chance to mess with the Texas Constitution. Here’s how. From taxes and roads to hunting and fishing, Texans will vote on amending the state constitution — again. Texas voters will consider seven proposals to change the state constitution in a Nov. 3 statewide election. That’s anything but rare: the Texas Constitution, adopted in 1876, has been amended 484 times. Amendments in context 27: Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, adopted in 1788 484: Amendments so far to the Texas Constitution, adopted in 1876 4,543: Words in the U.S. Constitution More than 100,000: Words in the Texas Constitution Some amendments have affected the lives of Texans daily, on topics such as taxes, transportation and marriage. And a few on this year’s ballot are no exception. But many amendments, needed to target specific issues because of the way the constitution is written, have much less impact. That, too, continues this year: Texans can vote to enshrine a right to hunt and fish or allow statewide officials to live outside of Austin. Lawmakers send amendments to the voters nearly every time they meet. But voters often don’t respond: In the last standalone amendment election, in 2013, 8.6 percent of registered voters cast a ballot. By contrast, 58.6 percent of Texans came out to vote in the 2012 presidential election. And most amendments are successful: the last time the voters rejected any was in 2011, when three of 10 were voted down. — From staff reports Select a proposition to learn more: Proposition 1: Property taxes Proposition 2: Taxes for veterans’ spouses Proposition 3: Where state officials can live Proposition 4: Pro-sports raffles Proposition 5: Road-building rules Proposition 6: The right to hunt and fish Proposition 7: Highway funding 7 things to know about the 2015 election 1 When is the election? Early voting is Oct. 19 through Oct. 30. Election Day is Nov. 3. 2 Where do I vote? You must find your polling place based on your county:

Dallas

Collin

Denton

Tarrant

Rockwall 3 Do I need identification? You must take one of the following IDs with you to the polls: a Texas driver’s license, a U.S. passport, a state-issued ID card, a state-issued election certificate, a Texas concealed handgun license, a U.S. military ID or a citizenship certificate with a photograph issued by the federal government. With the exception of the citizenship certificate, none of the forms of identification may be expired for more than 60 days. 4 Do I need to be registered? You must already be registered, and the deadline has passed. 5 What about electioneering? It's illegal to tout candidates or issues within a certain range of the polling place - and that includes wearing campaign gear to polling places. Election judges can stop you from voting if you are wearing campaign buttons or clothing. They have been known to make a person turn a shirt inside out before voting. 6 Can I bring printed material with me? You may bring notes or other materials with you. But you can't distribute them or share them with other voters at the polling site. 7 What if I have problems voting? Report any irregularities to the election judge onsite. Proposition 1: Property taxes “The constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes from $15,000 to $25,000, providing for a reduction of the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for those purposes on the homestead of an elderly or disabled person to reflect the increased exemption amount, authorizing the legislature to prohibit a political subdivision that has adopted an optional residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation from reducing the amount of or repealing the exemption, and prohibiting the enactment of a law that imposes a transfer tax on a transaction that conveys fee simple title to real property.” This constitutional amendment would increase the homestead exemption on school property taxes to $25,000, from $15,000 currently. It would cost $1.24 billion over two years and take effect on 2015 tax bills, which are arriving in mailboxes this month. Supporters say: Property tax bills in Texas have increased faster than wages, which especially hurts people on fixed incomes. The homestead exemption on school taxes has stayed at $15,000 since 1997. Since then, average home values have more than doubled. Low-income people especially benefit from exemptions, as they remove from taxation a higher percentage of the value of a less expensive home. The amendment also would bar the Legislature from expanding the sales tax to real estate transfers. That would prevent adding yet another closing cost to an already onerous, highly regulated process. Opponents say: The tax relief for homeowners doesn’t hurt school districts because the state makes up their lost revenue. But it could hurt state services in the future because lawmakers paid for the ongoing cost of the higher exemption out of surpluses accumulated during Texas’ latest energy boom, which could be short-lived. Also, cuts to sales or business taxes would boost the economy more, one state study has shown. The ban on taxing real estate transfers could handicap a future Legislature dealing with a recession. It was included merely so that Realtors would advertise in favor of the amendment, boosting turnout. — Robert T. Garrett From the Editorial Board: "Why Texas homeowners looking to save money should vote yes on Proposition 1" Back to top


Proposition 2: Taxes for veterans’ spouses WWII U.S. veterans salute during the national anthems at a ceremony held at the Memorial of the Colleville American military cemetery, in Colleville sur Mer, western France, Thursday June 6, 2013, on the day of the commemoration of the 69th anniversary of the D-Day. (Remy de la Mauviniere/Associated Press) “The 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 100 percent or totally disabled veteran who died before the law authorizing a residence homestead exemption for such a veteran took effect.” Proposition 2 is a mulligan. In 2011, lawmakers and Texas voters approved a constitutional amendment that fully exempted from state property taxes the homes of surviving spouses of disabled military veterans. They meant to include all surviving spouses. But they didn’t. Spouses of totally disabled veterans who died before September 2010 – about 3,800 – were left out. Prop 2 fixes that. Supporters say: No one intended to exclude this group from the relief offered to other military spouses. The estimated cost of fixing the error is about $118,000 over two years, barely a blip in the state’s $209 billion budget. Opponents say: No major objections were raised during the legislative session. Some analysts note that in general, the Legislature is chipping away at the tax base for local governments with exemptions such as these and that veterans’ families tend to settle disproportionately in areas near military installations. — Brandi Grissom From the Editorial Board: "We recommend yes vote on Proposition 2" Back to top Proposition 3: Where state officials can live “The constitutional amendment repealing the requirement that state officers elected by voters statewide reside in the state capital.” Statewide elected officials, such as the attorney general, land commissioner and agriculture commissioner, would have the option to live outside of the state’s capital if this amendment passes. Currently, none say they have plan to take advantage if it passes. Supporters say: In the age of fast transportation and communication, it’s not an issue for officials to be near the seat of state government. Jerry Patterson, a former land commissioner, calls the amendment a “no brainer.” Opponents say: Those who argued against the idea, including many Democrats, said it will allow officials to live in counties where they may face favorable prosecution if they break the law. Others argue that agencies and employees are largely in Austin, so the officials leading them full-time should be, too. — Bobby Blanchard From the Editorial Board: "We recommend yes vote on Proposition 3" Back to top


Proposition 4: Pro-sports raffles Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots drops back to pass during the second half of the NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 11. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images) “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit professional sports teamcharitable foundations to conduct charitable raffles." Raffle tickets could soon join hot dogs and beer as part of the spiel made by vendors at professional sports stadiums in Texas. Pro teams want to be able to conduct charitable raffles with cash prizes. The raffles, known as “50/50” games, are already common in other states. Vendors sell raffle tickets to fans, and a winner is drawn and announced near the end of the event. The winner takes home half the pot – a $64,795 payout at a recent Philadelphia Eagles game, for example – with the rest going to the team’s charity. Supporters say: The amendment could end up being a boon for lucky fans and the team’s charities. It’s narrowly tailored to avoid a significant expansion of gambling in Texas. The measure was written to make sure it won’t allow instant electronic gaming – slots, in essence. Nearly every sports team in Texas backs the proposal. Opponents say: Even with safeguards, there's always worry that a loophole could allow for expanded gambling. — Tom Benning From the Editorial Board: "We recommend yes vote on Proposition 4" Back to top Proposition 5: Road-building rules Only about 20 counties would be affected by the proposed amendment. “The constitutional amendment to authorize counties with a population of 7,500 or less to perform private road construction and maintenance.” This amendment would expand a previously passed provision. In 1980, voters approved an amendment that allowed counties with populations of fewer than 5,000 to build roads on private land. Under this proposal, voters will weigh increasing that population limit to 7,500. Only about 20 counties would be affected. Supporters say: Increasing the population limit reflects growth that has taken place in Texas over the last 35 years. Small counties need to be able to do the work because there might not be contractors available. But leaving some population limit in place prevents large counties from competing with private businesses. Opponents say: Some say the provision merely allows government to help landowners who should pay for their own roads. Others say the population limit should be eliminated entirely. — Bobby Blanchard From the Editorial Board: "We recommend yes vote on Proposition 5" Back to top Proposition 6: The right to hunt and fish Hunter Steele shot this Gonzales County gobbler on a 45-second hunt. His father, Todd Steele, declares it a Texas record for the fastest spring turkey hunt, ever. (Todd Steele/Special Contributor) “The constitutional amendment recognizing the right of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife subject to laws that promote wildlife conservation.” Texans love hunting and fishing like they love sweet tea, high school football and Tex-Mex—immeasurably. This amendment would solidify the right to hunt and fish. Supporters say: The right to hunt and fish is fundamental. Among those in support are the National Rifle Association and the Dallas Safari Club. They say the amendment is needed to protect against threats from animal-rights and environmentalist groups' proposals, such as bag or catch limits and certain species bans. Currently, 18 states guarantee the right to hunt and fish in their constitutions. Opponents say: Adding the measure to the constitution is unnecessary and an effort to preserve pastimes that are declining. The proposal could make it harder to manage wildlife. — Brittney Martin From the Editorial Board: "Why outdoor enthusiasts should vote yes on benign Proposition 6" Back to top