On Tuesday, Texans took to the polls and voted to approve all eight proposed amendments to the state constitution. These eight propositions were each passed by the Texas State Legislature as bills earlier this year but still required voter approval to be amended to the state constitution officially.
According to the Texas Secretary of State website results, the propositions were very popular, with only two of the propositions receiving slightly less than 60% vote of approval. These eight new additions will now bring the total number of amendments to the Texas State Constitution to 515 since it was ratified in 1876, making it one of the oldest in the country.
The most popular amendment was Proposition 6 (SJR 19), which received an 88% vote of support from Texans.
This amendment will allow residents of nursing or other assisted living facilities to designate an essential caregiver who cannot be denied in-person access under any circumstances. This amendment directly responded to several facilities prohibiting or severely limiting in-person visitations amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The most contested amendment was Proposition 4 (SJR 47), which received a 59% vote of approval from Texans. This amendment will strengthen eligibility requirements to be a candidate for the Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, regional Courts of Appeals, and a district judge in the state.
Turnout for the election was paltry as expected. Only about 9% of Texas voters cast a ballot, down from the 2019 constitutional amendment election, which saw about 12% turnout. Turnout in odd-numbered years is always low due to the lack of national or statewide candidates being on the ballot.
Aside from the state amendments on the ballot, several cities across the metroplex also voted on local bond propositions and city council positions. Mesquite also decided on a new mayor, as Dan Aleman was elected with 59% of the vote in his favor. For results on all local bond propositions and city council elections, visit the NBCDFW Election Day site.
