Constitutional amendment vote set for Nov. 7

On Tuesday, Nov. 7, Madison County residents will have a chance to weigh in on 14 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution during a statewide election.

Though turnout traditionally is low during constitutional elections, officials are urging voters to make their voices heard at the polls.

Some of the big-ticket items, according to officials, are legal protections against an income tax and more property-tax relief.

Early voting started Monday and ends Nov 3. Election Day is the first Tuesday in November from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Where to vote

Madison County provides a range of polling places for residents:

Midway Community Center, 5612 School Loop, Midway

North Zulch Volunteer Fire Department, 524 Trinity Ave., North Zulch

Sand Prairie Baptist Church, 12652 FM 1452 West, Normangee

Elwood Baptist Church, 14778 OSR, Midway

Early voting takes place in the Madison County Courthouse, Room 108, 101 W. Main St., Madisonville.

When to vote

The Constitutional Amendment Election offers flexible voting times to accommodate different schedules, officials said.

Here are the key voting periods: Oct. 23 to 27 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 28 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 2 to 3 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Accessibility

Officials said Madison County is committed to making the voting process accessible to all residents, including those with disabilities. Curbside voting is offered at all polling locations.

Propositions

The 14 constitutional amendments include:

Proposition No. 1: Protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture and wildlife management.

Prop 2: Authorizing a local option exemption from ad-valorem taxation by a county or municipality of all or part of the appraised value of real property used to operate a child care facility.

Prop. 3: Prohibiting the imposition of an individual wealth or net worth tax.

Prop. 4: Authorizing the Legislature to establish a temporary limit on the maximum appraised value of real property.

Prop. 5: Relating to the Texas University Fund, which provides funding to certain institutions of higher education.

Prop. 6: Creating the Texas water fund to assist in financing water projects.

Prop. 7: Providing for the creation of the Texas energy fund to support the construction, maintenance and operation of electric-generating facilities.

Prop. 8: Creating the broadband infrastructure fund to expand high-speed broadband access.

Prop. 9: Authorizing the 88th Legislature to provide a cost-of-living adjustment to certain annuitants of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.

Prop. 10: Authorizing the Legislature to exempt equipment or inventory held by a manufacturer of medical or biomedical products from ad-valorem taxation.

Prop. 11: Authorizing conservation and reclamation districts in El Paso County to issue bonds for parks and recreational facilities.

Prop. 12: Providing for the abolition of the office of county treasurer in Galveston County.

Prop. 13: Increasing the mandatory age of retirement for state justices and judges.

Prop 14: Creating the centennial parks conservation fund for the creation and improvement of state parks.