Starting Monday, El Paso County voters will have their say on several state constitutional amendments that, among other things, would provide property tax relief, increase water infrastructure funding and create a state dementia research institute.
In all, 17 Texas propositions will top ballots in the uniform election, with early voting running from Monday, Oct. 20, to Friday, Oct. 31. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Voters who live within the boundaries of the Socorro and Tornillo independent school districts will also have their say on tax rate propositions that seek to generate more revenue for the school systems.
The November uniform election doesn’t carry many candidate races, with the exception of some council seats in the towns of Clint, Socorro and Vinton – several of which are uncontested.
During the early voting period, voters can cast ballots at any voting site, which have various hours. Polls are also open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Here are seven key propositions on the ballot:
Socorro, Tornillo ISD Proposition A
SISD voters can vote whether to approve an operations tax rate increase above what’s allowed by state law. If approved, the rate could bring the district $49 million in additional revenue a year.
The rate would technically be considered a tax increase – as will be noted on the ballot – because the district would collect more in tax revenue than the previous year. However, homeowners will likely see a decrease in the school tax bills if Texas voters approve a constitutional amendment to raise the homestead exemption on school taxes.
LEARN MORE: Socorro, Tornillo school districts hold tax rate election to boost revenue
If both the SISD and state proposition pass, district homeowners would see a $345 decrease in the school district portion of their tax bill on the average home valued at $232,700. If voters reject the district’s tax proposition, they would save an additional $110.
Tornillo ISD has a similar proposition on the ballot that would bring in $236,000 a year. With the proposed state homestead exemption increase, school tax bills for most district homeowners would zero out.
State Proposition 13 (SJR 2): Increased school tax exemption
The proposition would increase residential homestead exemptions for school taxes from $100,000 to $140,000 – creating tax savings on the school portion of property tax bills. The state would reimburse school districts for the loss in revenue.
The increased exemption only applies to school taxes – total tax bills include city, county, hospital and community college taxes, among others. That means many taxpayers may still see larger total property tax bills if their property valuations increased and other local governments raised taxes.
While this amendment is popular, some worry it shifts the tax burden to renters and small businesses. Additionally, the increased exemption would cost the state more than $2.7 billion the first year and more than $1 billion annually after that.
State Proposition 11 (SJR 85): School tax exemption for the elderly or disabled homeowners
Much like Proposition 13, this amendment would increase the exemption on school taxes – this one for homeowners age 65 or older or with disabilities. The loss of funding also would be offset by the state. The exemption is now at $10,000 and would be raised to $60,000 if approved.
Critics say the exemptions shift the tax burden to others, expand state spending and are unsustainable in the long run.
Others worry the additional tax exemptions could negatively impact funding disparities between wealthy and less affluent school districts. That’s because some property-poor school districts might also see drops in recapture payments, better known as the Robin Hood program, where property-wealthy school districts share a portion of their property tax revenue with the state to fund poorer schools.
State Proposition 3 (SJR 5): Bail reform
The proposition would require judges to deny bail for individuals accused of committing some violent or sexual felonies if the state can demonstrate “clear and convincing evidence” that the accused is a flight or public safety risk.
Supporters say the measure would help prevent the release of dangerous offenders who might commit additional crimes while awaiting trial. Opponents warn the proposal could erode the presumption of innocence and disproportionately affect low-income defendants and people of color. They also caution that denying bail more broadly could worsen jail overcrowding and strain local detention resources.
VOTER GUIDE: SISD, Tornillo ISD tax rates, state propositions on Nov. 4 election ballot
Proposition 4 (HJR 7): Funding for water infrastructure
The proposition would divert up to $1 billion in tax sales revenue a year to the Texas Water Fund, a special fund passed by the state Legislature in 2023 and approved by voters that year to assist in financing water projects in Texas.
Now, Proposition 4 is asking voters whether to approve the diversion of the sales tax revenue into the fund – providing up to $20 billion over the next two decades for water projects such as fixing aging pipelines, building desalination plants and developing flood mitigation projects.
While the controversial plan would increase funding for water projects, experts say it’s a fraction of what’s needed statewide. Opponents argue water projects should be funded through the state budget and not diversions that bypass the legislative appropriations process.
MORE: Texas voters have final say on $20 billion package to secure state’s water supply
Proposition 14 (SJR 3): Funding for dementia research and prevention
If approved, the proposition would dedicate $3 billion to establish the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas for the study of dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other brain-related conditions. The initial allocation would come from the state’s surplus fund, while another $300 million a year would be allocated from the state’s general fund.
While critics applaud the effort, some worry there’s no clear fiscal safeguards or accountability for the use of the funds, which would be overseen by a board appointed by the governor, house speaker and lieutenant governor. The board would approve research proposals.
Proposition 15 (SJR 34): Codifies ‘parental rights’ language in state Constitution
The proposition would add language to the Texas Constitution affirming that parents are the primary decision-makers in raising and educating their children. It aims to enshrine parental rights — currently protected under federal case law — at the state constitutional level.
Supporters say the amendment would strengthen legal protections for families and ensure parents have a say in key aspects of their children’s upbringing, education and health care.
Critics counter that the measure is unnecessary because parental rights are already protected under federal and state law. They also warn it could be used to justify restricting children’s rights or limiting what public schools can teach — particularly on issues related to LGBTQ+ inclusion, sex education or access to certain books.
When’s the next big election?
While the November 2025 uniform election doesn’t carry major candidate races, voters may already be seeing some candidates emerge and fundraising begin for the 2026 elections: The midterm primary March 3 and the midterm general election Nov. 3, 2026.
The 2026 primary ballot will include congressional and Senate races; state races for Texas governor, attorney general and lieutenant governor; and local races for state representatives. Seats for the El Paso County Commissioners Court, which are partisan races, will also be on the primary ballot.
The winners in each party in those primaries will move on to the November 2026 election.
El Paso City Council races, which are nonpartisan, will only appear on the November 2026 ballot.
The post Elections: Key state, local propositions on the Nov. 4 ballot in El Paso appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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