NOVEMBER 4, 2025 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ELECTION

Texans will head to the polls to vote on 17 proposed changes to the state constitution - decisions that will shape our taxes, schools, and future investments for years to come.

Early Voting is Oct. 20 - Oct. 31. Election Day is Nov. 4, 2025.

HIDALGO COUNTY - FIND YOUR EARLY VOTING LOCATION HERE

NEUTRAL - PROP 1

“The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the permanent technical institution infrastructure fund and the available workforce education fund to support the capital needs of educational programs offered by the Texas State Technical College System.”

Explanation: It improves technical education at Texas State Technical College (TSTC) and helps more people get good-paying jobs. On the flip side: This is only for one technical school rather than all technical schools having access to this funding. This will create competition for South Texas College (STC).

Recommendation: VOTE YOUR CONSCIOUS.

❌ PROP 2

“The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of a tax on the realized or unrealized capital gains of an individual, family, estate, or trust.”

Explanation: It benefits the wealthy more than everyday Texans. This is lost revenue for the State and is irreversible in the future, if it passes. It would require another constitutional amendment.

Recommendation: VOTE AGAINST (NO)

❌ PROP 3

“The constitutional amendment requiring the denial of bail under certain circumstances to persons accused of certain offenses punishable as a felony.”

Explanation: Prevents judges from granting bail to certain people accused of serious crimes. It could jail people who haven’t been convicted, violating their rights.

Recommendation: VOTE AGAINST (NO)

✅ PROP 4

“The constitutional amendment to dedicate a portion of the revenue derived from state sales and use taxes to the Texas water fund and to provide for the allocation and use of that revenue.”

Explanation: Allocates part of state taxes to the Texas Water Fund to improve access and ensure clean water for communities. It supports long-term water security for people, farms, and cities (which is desperately needed).

Recommendation: VOTE FOR (YES)

✅ PROP 5

“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation tangible personal property consisting of animal feed held by the owner of the property for sale at retail.”

Explanation: Removes taxes on animal feed sold in stores. It helps businesses lower costs and could reduce prices for consumers.

Recommendation: VOTE FOR (YES)

❌ PROP 6

“The constitutional amendment prohibiting the legislature from enacting a law imposing an occupation tax on certain entities that enter into transactions conveying securities or imposing a tax on certain securities transactions.”

Explanation: Prohibits taxes on certain financial transactions. It favors large corporations and reduces funding for public services.

Recommendation: VOTE AGAINST (NO)

✅ PROP 7

“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 veteran who died as a result of a condition or disease that is presumed under federal law to have been service-connected.”

Explanation: Removes or reduces property taxes for surviving spouses of veterans who died from service-related illnesses. It helps veteran families save money and keep their homes.

Recommendation: VOTE FOR (YES)

❌ PROP 8

“The constitutional amendment to prohibit the legislature from imposing death taxes applicable to a decedent's property or the transfer of an estate, inheritance, legacy, succession, or gift.”

Explanation: Prohibits taxes on inheritances and estates. It benefits the wealthy and reduces state revenue for schools and services.

Recommendation: VOTE AGAINST (NO)

❌ PROP 9

"The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation a portion of the market value of tangible personal property a person owns that is held or used for the production of income."

Explanation: Eliminates taxes on certain tools and equipment used to earn income. It doesn’t have benefits for the general public and cuts funding for public services.

Recommendation: VOTE AGAINST (NO)

✅ PROP 10

"The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of the appraised value of an improvement to a residence homestead that is completely destroyed by a fire."

Explanation: Allows temporary tax relief for homeowners whose houses were destroyed by fire. It helps families rebuild and recover financially.

Recommendation: VOTE FOR (YES)

✅ PROP 11

"The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district of the market value of the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled."

Explanation: Raises the tax exemption on the homes of elderly or disabled people within school districts. It helps seniors and people with disabilities save money on property taxes.

Recommendation: VOTE FOR (YES)

❌ PROP 12

"The constitutional amendment regarding the membership of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, the membership of the tribunal to review the commission's recommendations, and the authority of the commission, the tribunal, and the Texas Supreme Court to more effectively sanction judges and justices for judicial misconduct."

Explanation: Changes how judicial discipline is managed. It gives politicians more influence over judges, threatening judicial independence.

Recommendation: VOTE AGAINST (NO)

✅ PROP 13

"The constitutional amendment to increase the amount of the exemption of residence homesteads from ad valorem taxation by a school district from $100,000 to $140,000."

Increases the school property tax exemption on family homes from $100,000 to $140,000. It saves families money on school taxes. The State has offered to make up that difference for our public schools (though still not nearly enough).

Recommendation: VOTE FOR (YES)

✅ PROP 14

"The constitutional amendment providing for the establishment of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, establishing the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund to provide money for research on and prevention and treatment of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related disorders in this state, and transferring to that fund $3 billion from state general revenue."

Explanation: Creates the Texas Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, with $3 billion for prevention and treatment of dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and similar diseases. It improves health and quality of life for many Texans. Dementia and Alzheimer’s are prevalent here in the RGV, so this is helpful for our community.

Recommendation: VOTE FOR (YES)

❌ PROP 15

"The constitutional amendment affirming that parents are the primary decision makers for their children."

Explanation: Don’t fall for the simplistic language. It weakens schools and social services that protect and support children.

Recommendation: VOTE AGAINST (NO)

❌ PROP 16

"The constitutional amendment clarifying that a voter must be a United States citizen."

Explanation: Don’t fall for the simplistic language. It’s unnecessary (already law) and fuels distrust toward immigrants. It’s a rage-bait amendment.

Recommendation: VOTE AGAINST (NO)

❌ PROP 17

"The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the amount of the market value of real property located in a county that borders the United Mexican States that arises from the installation or construction on the property of border security infrastructure and related improvements."

Explanation: Allows property tax reductions on border properties with security infrastructure. It promotes anti-immigrant measures and allows the Texas government to waste more money on an ineffective border wall.

Recommendation: VOTE AGAINST (NO)