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Texas 2015 ballot measures
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Texas's 2015 elections State ballot measures • School boards • Municipal • Candidate ballot access |
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Seven statewide ballot measures were on the November 3, 2015 statewide ballot in Texas and all seven were approved.
This year featured about half the measures usually on the ballot in Texas during odd-numbered years. Since 1989, the state usually has about 16 measures, on average.
The Texas Secretary of State's sample ballot that listed the seven propositions in both English and Spanish can be read here. The Texas Legislative Council 2015 Analyses of Proposed Constitutional Amendments can be found here. The Texas House of Representatives House Research Organization's focus report on the amendments can be read here.
In Texas, the dozen or so ballot propositions that typically do get certified for the November ballot in odd years by the Texas State Legislature don't receive their final affirmative vote for ballot status until near the very end of the state legislature's session. In 2015, the final day of the state legislative session was June 1.[1]
All statewide Texas ballot propositions are legislatively referred constitutional amendments. They are referred to the ballot by the Texas State Legislature and, if approved by voters, become a part of the Texas State Constitution. Texas is one of 16 states that requires a two-thirds supermajority vote in one session to place a proposed amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 100 votes in the Texas House of Representatives and 21 votes in the Texas State Senate.
The current Texas State Constitution took effect in 1876; it is the seventh constitution in the state's history and the fifth constitution since Texas achieved statehood.[2][3] (See also: Number of state constitutional amendments in each state.)
Texas voters are historically kind to their statewide ballot propositions and more so in recent years: close to 90 percent of the over 200 ballot propositions they've weighed in on since 1989 have been approved. Overall, from 1876 through November 2014, 663 have gone before Texas voters and 484 of those proposed amendments have been approved by voters and added to the constitution; this is an overall 73 percent approval rate.
On the ballot
- See also: 2015 ballot measures
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LRCA | Proposition 1 | Taxes | Homestead exemption for school district property taxes | 
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| LRCA | Proposition 2 | Taxes | Property tax exemption for spouses of disabled veterans |
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| LRCA | Proposition 3 | State Exec | Residency requirement for statewide executive officials |
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| LRCA | Proposition 4 | Gambling | Sports team foundations allowed to hold raffles |
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| LRCA | Proposition 5 | Transportation | Some counties allowed to perform private road construction |
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| LRCA | Proposition 6 | Hunt & Fish | Right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife |
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| LRCA | Proposition 7 | Gov't Finances | Sales taxes allocated to state highway fund through 2032 |
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Not on the ballot
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LRCA | Early Retirement of State Debt Amendment | Gov't Finances | Dedicates certain money to retire state debt early | 
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| LRCA | Account Balances in Budget Certification Amendment | Gov't Finances | Prohibits the comptroller from considering unspent funds in dedicated accounts as available for other purposes |
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| LRCA | Prohibition on Using Motor Vehicle Revenue for Policing Amendment | Gov't Finances | Prohibits using motor vehicle-related revenue for policing public roadways |
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| LRCA | Court Notice to Attorney General Amendment | Judiciary | Requires a court to provide notice to the Attorney General of a challenge to the constitutionality of a statute |
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| LRCA | Governor and Lieutenant Governor Inauguration Date Amendment | State Exec | Provides for the governor and lieutenant governor to be inaugurated at 10 am on the day preceding the start of the legislative session |
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| LRCA | Tax Exemption for Higher Education Technology Corporations Amendment | Taxes | Exempts property owned by research technology corporations created by higher education institutions from taxation |
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| LRCA | Tax Exemption for Property Leased to Schools Amendment | Taxes | Exempts property leased to schools for educational functions from property taxation |
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| LRCA | Tax Exemption for Hiring Veterans Amendment | Taxes | Allows local option exemptions from commercial property tax for businesses that hire veterans |
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| LRCA | Political Subdivision Property Tax Exemptions Amendment | Taxes | Allows political subdivisions, other than school districts, to exempt a portion of homestead market value from taxation |
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| LRCA | Minimum Wage Increase Amendment | Min Wage | Sets the hourly minimum wage of the greater $10.10 or the federal minimum wage |
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| LRCA | Limitations on Motor Vehicle Revenue Use Amendment | Transportation | Prohibits the legislature from using funds derived from motor vehicle-related revenue for purposes other than acquiring rights-of-way and constructing or maintaining roads in excess of certain amounts |
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| LRCA | Homestead Tax for Public Schools Exemption Amendment | Taxes | Increases the homestead tax for public school purposes exemption from $15,000 to $45,000 |
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| LRCA | Attorney General Licensed to Practice Law Amendment | State Exec | Requires the Attorney General to be licensed and eligible to practice law in Texas |
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| LRCA | Judicial Restraint in Religious Doctrine Interpretation Amendment | Religion | Requires judiciaries to refrain from involvement in religious doctrinal interpretation or application |
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| LRCA | Taxes on Sporting Goods for Conservation, Preservation and Recreation Amendment | Taxes | Requires that revenue from state taxes on sporting goods be appropriated to the Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission |
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| LRCA | Same-Sex Marriage Amendment | Marriage | Legalizes same-sex marriage in Texas |
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| LRCA | Bexar County Charter Amendment | Local Gov't | Allows Bexar County to adopt a charter to integrate the county government with other local political subdivisions |
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| LRCA | Automatic Resignation from Office Amendment | Elections | Provides that an elected statewide official automatically resigns upon becoming a candidate for a different elective office before a certain date |
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| LRCA | Term Limits for Executive Offices Amendment | Term Limits | Limits the number of consecutive terms a state executive official can serve to two |
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| LRCA | State Gaming Commission Amendment | Gambling | Establishes state gaming commission to regulate gambling |
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| LRCA | Local Homestead Tax Exemption for Veterans Amendment | Taxes | Authorizes a local option homestead tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans |
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| LRCA | No Taxing Prescription Medicine Amendment | Taxes | Prohibits taxing the sale or use of certain prescription medicines |
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| LRCA | Half of Counties Approval Amendment | Direct Democracy | Requires that at least half of the state's counties approve an amendment for it to become law |
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| LRCA | Growth in Appropriations Limitations Amendment | Gov't Finances | Limits the growth in appropriations by the state's population growth and inflation or deflation |
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| LRCA | Three Terms Limit for Officials Amendment | Term Limits | Limits the number of terms state executive officials, representatives and senators can serve to three |
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| LRCA | Partition of Spousal Community Property Amendment | Property | Authorizes courts to partition the community property of separating spouses |
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| LRCA | Motor Vehicle Revenue for Non-Tolled Roadways Amendment | Transportation | Prohibits the legislature from using funds derived from certain motor vehicle-related revenue for purposes other than non-tolled public roadways |
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| LRCA | Redistricting Commission Amendment | Redistricting | Establishes a Texas Redistricting Commission |
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| LRCA | Age to Vote in Primary Amendment | Suffrage | Allows a person who will be 18-years old at the time of a general election to vote in the preceding primary election |
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| LRCA | Charges as Taxes Amendment | Taxes | Identifies state-imposed charges as state taxes |
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| LRCA | Motor Vehicle Revenue Uses Amendment | Transportation | Defines how revenue from taxes on motor vehicle sales can be allocated |
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| LRCA | Six Regular Sessions Term Limits Amendment | Term Limits | Limits a legislator from being reelected if he or she already served during six regular legislative sessions |
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| LRCA | Individual's Free Exercise of Religion Amendment | Religion | Prohibits the state and homeowners’ associations from burdening an individual’s "free exercise of religion" |
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| LRCA | Wearing of Firearms Amendment | Firearms | Disempowers the legislature from regulating the wearing of firearms |
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| LRCA | Homestead Exemption Limitation Amendment | Taxes | Allows the governing body of a political subdivision that adopts a homestead exemption to set a limit on the dollar amount of the exemption |
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| LRCA | Dedication of Appropriations Amendment | Gov't Finances | Determines the source of general law appropriation dedications |
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| LRCA | State Lottery Revenue for Public Education Amendment | Education | Dedicates revenue from the state lottery to support public educational programs that benefit classroom teaching |
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| LRCA | Negative Growth and Appropriations Amendment | Gov't Finances | Limits the growth in appropriations by the state's population growth and inflation or deflation and details how appropriations are to be made when variables are negative |
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| LRCA | Video Recordings in Courts Amendment | Gov't Acc | Requires video recording in the Texas Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals and the publication of such recordings |
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| LRCA | Legislative Budget Session Amendment | Legislature | Provides for an annual legislative budget session |
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| LRCA | Government Interference with Religious Speech Amendment | Religion | Prohibits government interference with certain speech by religious leaders and students |
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| LRCA | Disability Rating for Veteran Property Tax Exemption Amendment | Taxes | Exempts all or part of the home value of a disabled veteran who is at least 80 percent disabled |
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| LRCA | Prosecution by Attorney General Amendment | State Exec | Permits the attorney general to prosecute offenses related to ethics and insurance fraud |
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| LRCA | Maximum Appraised Value of Homestead Amendment | Taxes | Empowers legislature to lower the maximum appraised value of a homestead to 105 percent for taxation purposes |
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| LRCA | Homestead Exemption from Taxation for Public Schools Amendment | Taxes | Increases residence homestead exemption from taxation for public schools from $15,000 to $30,000 |
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| LRCA | Energy Commission Amendment | State Exec | Renames the Texas Railroad Commission to Texas Energy Commission |
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| LRCA | Term Limits for Legislators Amendment | Term Limits | Limits the number of terms legislators, elected local officials and state agency heads can serve |
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| LRCA | Debt Payment Excepted from Appropriations Limitations Amendment | Gov't Finances | Removes certain appropriations for reducing state debt from the limitations on appropriations growth |
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| LRCA | Legislative Review of Agency Rules Amendment | Legislature | Provides for review and approval of state agency rules by the legislature |
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| LRCA | “Protect Religious Freedom” Amendment | Religion | Prohibits the government from burdening an individual’s or organization’s freedom to act or refuse to act in a manner motivated by religious belief, except under certain circumstances |
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| LRCA | Maximum Amount of Appropriations Amendment | Gov't Finances | Establishes a formula for determining the maximum amount of appropriations for a fiscal biennium |
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| LRCA | Limit Maximum Appraised Value of Homestead Amendment | Taxes | Limits the maximum appraised value of a residence homestead for tax purposes to 105 percent |
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| LRCA | Right to Choose Health Insurance Amendment | Healthcare | Provides for a right to choose or decline to choose to purchase health insurance coverage without penalty |
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| LRCA | Rainy Day Fund Appropriations Amendment | Gov't Finances | Limits appropriations from the state's rainy day fund to an amount estimated by the comptroller |
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| LRCA | Franchise Tax Rebate Amendment | Taxes | Provides for a franchise tax rebate procedure |
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| LRCA | Historical Memorials Amendment | History | Allows the legislature to make appropriations for electronic historical memorials |
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Voter turnout
Voter turnout in the Texas November odd-year elections tends to be quite low. In 2013, only 8.55 percent of registered voters showed up to vote on the nine proposed constitutional amendments on the November 5, 2013 ballot. This means that 1,149,337 voters out of an overall population of roughly 27 million added nine constitutional amendments to the Texas Constitution.[4]
Historical facts
- Between 1989 and 2015, an average of 15 measures appeared on odd-year ballots in the state. Therefore, 2015 is a below-average year, based on the number of certified measures.
- From 1990 to 2015, the number of measures on odd-year statewide ballots ranged from 9 to 21.
- Between 1990 and 2013, 173 of 197, or 88 percent, of Texas ballot measures were approved by voters.
- Conversely, 24 of 197, or 12 percent, of measures were defeated.
State profile
| Demographic data for Texas | ||
|---|---|---|
| Texas | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 27,429,639 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 261,232 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 74.9% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 11.9% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 4.2% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 0.5% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0.1% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 2.5% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 38.4% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 81.9% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 27.6% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $53,207 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 19.9% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Texas. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
- See also: Presidential voting trends in Texas
Texas voted Republican in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
Pivot Counties (2016)
Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, one is located in Texas, accounting for 0.5 percent of the total pivot counties.[5]
Pivot Counties (2020)
In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Texas had one Retained Pivot County, 0.55 percent of all Retained Pivot Counties.
More Texas coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in Texas
- United States congressional delegations from Texas
- Public policy in Texas
- Endorsers in Texas
- Texas fact checks
- More...
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Texas 2015 Constitutional Amendment. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
- 2015 ballot measures
- List of Texas ballot measures
- Texas signature requirements
- History of direct democracy in Texas
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ In years past, special legislative sessions have been called after the adjournment of the normal legislative session during which proposed constitutional amendments have been voted onto the ballot. This means that as a practical matter, one can't be sure that June 1 is the date after which no new amendments will be added to the November 2015 ballot.
- ↑ "The Constitution of the State of Texas: An Annotated and Comparative Analysis"; by George D. Braden, et al.; retrieved February 17, 2015
- ↑ Texas Constitutions: 1824-1876
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Turnout and Voter Registration Figures (1970-current)," accessed February 11, 2015
- ↑ The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
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