17 statewide propositions will appear on the November ballot

Here’s what Texas voters need to know.

A majority of the proposed constitutional amendments address tax cuts for homeowners and businesses.

On Nov. 4, Texas voters will get the final say on 17 constitutional amendments — usually listed as statewide propositions at the top of the ballot — including billions of dollars in property tax cuts for homeowners and businesses.  This affects Sanger and Denton County voters.  

Earlier this year, a two-thirds majority of the state Legislature passed the joint resolutions calling for the constitutional amendment elections, along with the state’s budget for the next two years, which includes $51 billion for property tax cuts.

Texas lawmakers have used multibillion-dollar budget surpluses, the result of inflation and temporary federal stimulus dollars during the COVID-19 pandemic, to pay for tax cuts in recent years. Proponents of tax cuts and bans, including Gov. Greg Abbott, have said they will maintain Texas as a competitive, business-friendly state and contribute to economic growth.

If the constitutional amendments are approved, a majority of state lawmakers and Texas voters would need to pass new constitutional amendments to undo measures. Constitutional amendments are the only ballot propositions Texans get to vote on at the state level and will appear on the top of voters’ ballots, above any local races or measures they may be deciding.

To weigh in on the constitutional amendments, Texas voters need to be registered to vote.  Early voting will run from Oct. 20-31, and election day is Nov. 4. The deadline for counties to receive applications to vote by mail is Oct. 24. 

There will be 41 locations throughout Denton County for Sanger voters to cast their ballot, including the Sanger Community Center at 101 Freese Drive.  

Here’s a brief breakdown of the constitutional amendments.

A majority of the proposed constitutional amendments are measures meant to lower taxes for various Texans, including:

• Homeowners.

• Businesses.

•Elderly and disabled homeowners.

• Spouses of veterans.

• Homeowners who had  home destroyed in a fire.

• Property owners w/ border security infrastructure.

• Those who sell animal feed.

Other proposed amendments would prevent the state from imposing additional taxes on:

• Personal or business capital gains.

• Securities transactions, those working in securities.

• Inheritances.

Other proposals would fund:

• Water infrastructure.

• The Texas State Technical College.

•Research on dementia treatment and prevention.

A few proposals would amend the constitution to:

• Limit when a person can be released on bail.

• Enshrine parental rights.

• Clarify citizenship requirements for Texas voters.

• Overhaul the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.