Early voting begins for constitutional amendments

October 24, 2011 by Randy Keck

Election day Nov. 8

Staff Reports
The Community News

Early voting is under way on 10 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution. Voting concludes Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Proposed Amendment 1 would allow for property tax exemptions for the surviving spouse of a deceased disabled veteran.

Proposed Amendment 2 allows for the issuance of additional bonds by the Texas Water Development Board with the total amount of bonds outstanding not to exceed $6 billion.

Proposed Amendment 3 would allow the state to sell bonds to finance student loans.

Proposed Amendment 4 allows the state to authorize counties to issue bonds that would clean up or redevelop a blighted area, with repayment of bonds coming from ad valorem taxes on the area.

Proposed Amendment 5 would authorize the legislature to allow cities or counties to enter into interlocal contracts with other cities or counties without the imposition of a tax or the provision of a sinking fund.

Proposed Amendment 6 would allow the General Land Office to distribute revenue from permanent school fund land or other properties to the available school fund to provide additional funding for public education.

Proposed Amendment 7 would authorize the legislature to permit conservation and reclamation districts in El Paso County to issue bonds supported by ad valorem taxes to fund the development and maintenance of parks and recreational facilities.

Proposed Amendment 8 would provide for the appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes of open-space land devoted to water-stewardship purposes on the basis of its productive capacity.

Proposed Amendment 9 would authorize the governor to grant a pardon to a person who successfully completes a term of deferred adjudication community supervision.

Proposed Amendment 10 would change the length of the unexpired term that causes the automatic resignation of certain elected county or district officeholders if they become candidates for another office.

A link to analysis and background information for these issues can be found at http://www.tlc.state.tx.us/const_amends.htm

Early Voting:

Early voting hours for the Texas Constitution Amendments are as follows:
Monday, Oct. 24 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 25 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 26 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 27 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 28 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Open to 8 p.m. at Brock location only)
Saturday, Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 31 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 1 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 2 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 3 from 7 a.m. to 7
Friday, Nov. 4 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Early Voting Locations:

Main Early Voting Site:
Parker County Courthouse Annex
1112 Santa Fe Dr.
Annex Kitchen
Weatherford

Branch Early Voting Sites:
Springtown City Hall
102 East 2nd St.
City Council Meeting Room

Willow Park Municipal Building
516 Ranch House Road
City Council Meeting Room

Old Brock ISD Administration Building
100 Grindstone Road
Old Administration Building

Peaster Admin. Building
3602 Harwell Lake Road
School Board Meeting Room

Aledo Community Center
104 Robinson Ct.
Meeting Room

Garner ISD
2222 Garner School Road
Room 202