Ballot Order Drawn for Constitutional Amendments. On July 23, Deputy Secretary of State Joe Esparza drew the ballot order for the ten proposed constitutional amendments that will appear on the November 5th ballot. After the ceremony, the Deputy Secretary reminded all eligible Texans to exercise their right to vote:
“The future of Texas is and will always be in the hands of Texans,” said Deputy Secretary Esparza. “This fall, voters will have the opportunity to directly impact the Texas Constitution, and I strongly encourage all eligible Texans to register to vote so that they can actively participate in shaping the future of the Lone Star State.”
Texans will have the opportunity to approve the following amendments with a majority vote:
- Proposition 1 (HJR 72): Permitting a person to hold more than one office as a municipal judge at the same time.
- Proposition 2 (SJR 79): Providing for the issuance of additional general obligation bonds by the Texas Water Development Board to provide financial assistance for the development of certain projects in economically distressed areas.
- Proposition 3 (HJR 34): Authorizing the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion of the appraised value of certain property damaged by a disaster.
- Proposition 4 (HJR 38): Prohibiting the imposition of an individual income tax, including a tax on an individual’s share of partnership and unincorporated association income.
- Proposition 5 (SJR 24): Dedicating the revenue from the sales and use taxes that on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission to protect Texas’ natural areas, water quality, and history by acquiring, managing, and improving state and local parks and historic sites while not increasing the rate of the state sales and use taxes.
- Proposition 6 (HJR 12): Authorizes the legislature to increase by $3 billion the maximum bond amount authorized for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.
- Proposition 7 (HJR 151): Allowing increased distributions to the available school fund.
- Proposition 8 (HJR 4): Providing for the creation of the flood infrastructure fund to assist in the financing of drainage, flood mitigation, and flood control projects.
- Proposition 9 (HJR 95): Authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation precious metal held in a precious metal depository located in this state.
- Proposition 10 (SJR 32): The constitutional amendment to allow the transfer of a law enforcement animal to a qualified caretaker in certain circumstances.
Eric Johnson wins Dallas Mayor’s Race. On June 8, former State Representative Eric Johnson (D-Dallas) was elected Dallas Mayor on June 8 when he defeated Scott Griggs in a runoff election, taking 56% of the vote.
HD-100 Runoff. Governor Greg Abbott has called a runoff election for HD-100, the seat vacated by Mayor Johnson, for November 5, 2019. Candidates must file their applications with the Secretary of State no later than 5:00 PM on Wednesday, September 24, 2019. 13 candidates have so far filed to run. Although expected to be a highly competitive race, one candidate of note is Dallas community advocate Lorraine Birabil (D). Backed by a handful of elected leaders, Birabil has emphasized the need for criminal justice reform, access to affordable healthcare, and quality public schools.
Senator West Announces US Senate Run: Texas State Senator Royce West (D-Dallas) announced his bid for the Democrat nomination for US Senate in an attempt to unseat incumbent United States Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). Senator West said he has the support of his state legislative caucus, and that 10 of the 12 Democrats and 67 in the Texas Senate have already encouraged him to “move forward” and run for U.S. Senate.
Wendy Davis Announces Congressional Run: Former gubernatorial candidate and Texas State Senator, Wendy Davis (D-Dallas) has announced her bid for the Democratic nomination to challenge freshman Republican Rep. Chip Roy in the general election for Texas Congressional District 21, which includes portions of Austin, San Antonio, Fredericksburg, and Kerrville.
HD-10: So far, three Republican candidates have announced bids for House District 10 after incumbent John Wray (R-Waxahachie) announced that he would not seek reelection. Ryan Pitts is the son of former House member, Rep. Jim Pitts-R (Waxahachie). Military veterans Sam “Tripp” Bryant and Jake Ellzey (who previously ran for the seat in 2014) announced their candidacies earlier this month.
HD-92: Representative Jonathan Stickland (R-Bedford) recently announced he would not seek reelection after three terms in office. Jeff Cason, a Republican and former Bedford city councilman who fought against rising property taxes, has announced his candidacy, along with Steve Riddel, a Democrat who lost narrowly to Stickland in 2018.
HD 31: Rep. Ryan Guillen-D has drawn a general election challenger. Marian Knowlton is a real estate broker and a member of the State Republican Executive Committee.
HD 32: Rep. Todd Hunter-R has drawn a general election challenger, Eric Holguin-D.
HD 57: Rep. Trent Ashby-R has drawn an general election challenger, Jason Rogers-D, a Lufkin college instructor.
HD 64: Rep. Lynn Stucky-R has drawn a general election challenger, Angela Brewer-D, a Denton adjunct professor at UNT.
HD 80: Rep. Tracy King-D has drawn a primary challenger, Danny Valdez-D of Laredo.
HD 91: Rep. Stephanie Klick-R has drawn a general election challenger, Jeromey Sims-D, a North Richland Hills IT Services employee.
HD 126: Rep. Sam Harless-R has drawn a general election challenger, Natali Hurtado-D of Houston.
HD 132: Rep. Gina Calanni-D has drawn a general election challenger, Angelica Garcia-R of Katy, a Logistics Company CEO.
HD 147: Rep. Garnet Coleman-D has a drawn a general election challenger, Aurelia Wagner-D, a Houston educator.
Other Dates Of Interest
October 21, 2019
First day of Early Voting for General Election
October 25, 2019
Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail
(Received, not Postmarked)
November 1, 2019
Last day of Early Voting for General Election
November 5, 2019
General Election Day
December 9, 2019
Candidate Filing Deadline
March 3, 2020
Primary Election Day
November 3, 2020
General Election Day