Texas 2021 ballot measures

Texas 2021 Ballot Measures
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Eight statewide ballot measures were certified to appear on the ballot in Texas on November 2, 2021. Voters approved all eight measures.

HIGHLIGHTS

The Texas State Legislature referred eight constitutional amendments to the ballot related to designated essential caregivers at nursing facilities, limitations on religious services, property taxes, the state judiciary, raffles at rodeo venues, and county authorization to issue bonds for infrastructure.

In 2021, eight of the 218 proposed constitutional amendments proposed during the regular session were certified for the ballot, meaning the rate of certification was 3.7%, down from 4.6% in 2019.

Since 1876 when the current constitution was adopted, it has been amended 507 times. In November 2019, voters approved nine out of the 10 constitutional amendments that were on the ballot.

Between the Texas House and Texas Senate, at least 121 votes were needed to pass a constitutional amendment. Between 1995 and 2021, the average number of legislative votes in favor of a constitutional amendment was 164. In 2021, the average number of votes was 160.

On the ballot

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
LRCA	Proposition 1	Gambling	Authorizes professional sports team charitable organizations to conduct raffles at rodeo venues	a
LRCA	Proposition 2	Bond issues	Authorizes a county to issue bonds to fund infrastructure and transportation projects in undeveloped and blighted areas	a
LRCA	Proposition 3	Religion	Amends the Texas Constitution to prohibit the state or any political subdivision from enacting a law, rule, order, or proclamation that limits religious services or organizations	a
LRCA	Proposition 4	State judiciary	Changes the eligibility requirements for the following judicial offices: a justice of the supreme court, a judge of the court of criminal appeals, a justice of a court of appeals, and a district judge	a
LRCA	Proposition 5	State judiciary	Authorizes the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct to accept and investigate complaints and reports against candidates running for state judicial office	a
LRCA	Proposition 6	Healthcare and Constitutional rights	Amends the Texas Constitution to state that residents of nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, or state-supported living centers have a right to designate an essential caregiver that may not be prohibited from visiting the resident	a
LRCA	Proposition 7	Taxes	Amends the Texas Constitution to allow the legislature to extend a homestead tax limit for surviving spouses of disabled individuals as long as the spouse is 55 years old and resides at the home	a
LRCA	Proposition 8	Taxes and Veterans	Amends the Texas Constitution to allow the legislature to apply a homestead tax exemption for surviving spouses of members of the military to those fatally injured in the line of duty	a

Getting measures on the ballot

Citizens

In Texas, citizens do not have the power to initiate statewide initiatives or referendums. Voters rejected a constitutional amendment to provide for the initiative and referendum process in 1914. As of 2021, the state allowed charter cities to have an initiative process for local ballot measures.

Legislature

The Texas State Legislature can refer statewide ballot measures, in the form of constitutional amendments, to the ballot in odd-numbered years and even-numbered years. However, as the legislature convenes regular sessions in odd-numbered years but not even-numbered years, most amendments have been referred to ballots in odd-numbered years. Between 1995 and 2019, 167 of 169 (99 percent) statewide ballot measures appeared on odd-numbered year ballots.

Texas is one of 16 states that requires a two-thirds vote in each legislative chamber during one legislative session to refer a constitutional amendment to the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 100 votes in the Texas House of Representatives and 21 votes in the Texas Senate, assuming no vacancies.

The 2021 regular legislative session began on January 12, 2021, and adjourned on May 31, 2021. Gov. Abbott called a special legislative session that convened on July 8, 2021, and was set to adjourn on August 7, 2021. Legislators were allowed to file constitutional amendments during the special legislative session.

2021 proposals

During the 2021 regular and first special legislative sessions, 251 constitutional amendments were filed in the Texas State Legislature for the 2021 ballot. During the regular session, legislators were permitted to file constitutional amendments through March 12, 2021, unless permission was given to introduce an amendment after the deadline.

• Democrats filed 108 (43.03%) of the constitutional amendments.

• Republicans filed 143 (56.97%) of the constitutional amendments.

• In the state Senate, 65 (25.9%) of the constitutional amendments were filed.

• In the state House, 186 (74.1%) of the constitutional amendments were filed.

• Of the Democrats, Rep. Richard Raymond (D-42) filed the most constitutional amendments—eight.

• Of the Republicans, Rep. Mike Schofield (R-132) filed the most constitutional amendments—nine.

Between 2009 and 2021, an average of 196 constitutional amendments were filed during regular legislative sessions. The state legislature approved an average of nine constitutional amendments during regular legislative sessions. Therefore, the average rate of certification during regular legislative sessions was 4.7%.

Referral of 2021 constitutional amendments

The following table illustrates the vote requirements for each constitutional amendment certified for the ballot, the votes each amendment received, and how Democrats and Republicans voted on each amendment in each legislative chamber:

Texas Proposition 7, Homestead Tax Limit for Surviving Spouses of Disabled Individuals Amendment				Democrats	Republicans
Senate:	Required: 21	Yes votes: 30 (96.77%)	No votes: 0 (0.00%)	Yes: 13; No: 0	Yes: 17; No: 0
House:	Required: 100	Yes votes: 147 (98.0%)	No votes: 0 (0.0%)	Yes: 67; No: 0	Yes: 80; No: 0
Texas Proposition 4, Changes to Eligibility for Certain Judicial Offices Amendment				Democrats	Republicans
Senate:	Required: 21	Yes votes: 30 (96.8%)	No votes: 1 (3.2%)	Yes: 12; No: 1	Yes: 18; No: 0
House:	Required: 100	Yes votes: 120 (80.00%)	No votes: 19 (12.67%)	Yes: 49; No: 14	Yes: 71; No: 5
Texas Proposition 5, State Commission on Judicial Conduct Authority Over Candidates for Judicial Office Amendment				Democrats	Republicans
Senate:	Required: 21	Yes votes: 31 (100.0%)	No votes: 0 (0.0%)	Yes: 13; No: 0	Yes: 18; No: 0
House:	Required: 100	Yes votes: 137 (91.33%)	No votes: 0 (0.00%)	Yes: 58; No: 0	Yes: 79; No: 0
Texas Proposition 2, Authorize Counties to Issue Infrastructure Bonds in Blighted Areas Amendment				Democrats	Republicans
Senate:	Required: 21	Yes votes: 27 (87.1%)	No votes: 4 (12.9%)	Yes: 13; No: 0	Yes: 14; No: 4
House:	Required: 100	Yes votes: 126 (84.0%)	No votes: 13 (0.7%)	Yes: 62; No: 0	Yes: 64; No: 13

Context of 2020 elections

See also: Texas elections, 2020

In 2021, Republicans controlled both chambers of the state legislature, as well as the governor's office, making Texas a Republican trifecta. At the general election on November 3, 2020, Republicans retained control of the House and Senate, maintained their 83-67 majority in the House, and lost one seat in the Senate. The new majority in the Senate following the election was 18-13. Changes in the state have impacted the prospects of constitutional amendments making the ballot. Republicans held 21 seats in the state Senate in 2018, which was enough to pass a constitutional amendment without support from Democrats. In 2019, Republicans held 19 seats, meaning at least two Democrats were needed to pass a constitutional amendment in the state Senate. In 2019, the last election in Texas featuring constitutional amendments, six of the 10 amendments received unanimous support from Senate Democrats. In 2015, 2017, and 2019, none of the constitutional amendments were referred to the ballot along partisan lines.

Summary of campaign contributions

See also: Ballot measure campaign finance, 2021

Ballot Measure	Support Contributions	Oppose Contributions	Outcome
Texas Proposition 1, Authorize Charitable Raffles at Rodeo Venues Amendment (2021)	$0.00	$0.00
Texas Proposition 2, Authorize Counties to Issue Infrastructure Bonds in Blighted Areas Amendment (2021)	$370,000.00	$160.00
Texas Proposition 3, Prohibition on Limiting Religious Services or Organizations Amendment (2021)	$0.00	$0.00
Texas Proposition 4, Changes to Eligibility for Certain Judicial Offices Amendment (2021)	$0.00	$0.00
Texas Proposition 5, State Commission on Judicial Conduct Authority Over Candidates for Judicial Office Amendment (2021)	$0.00	$0.00
Texas Proposition 6, Right to Designated Essential Caregiver Amendment (2021)	$0.00	$0.00
Texas Proposition 7, Homestead Tax Limit for Surviving Spouses of Disabled Individuals Amendment (2021)	$0.00	$0.00
Texas Proposition 8, Homestead Tax Exemption for Surviving Spouses of Military Fatally Injured in the Line of Duty Amendment (2021)	$0.00	$0.00

Media edorsements

The table below records the endorsements of ballot propositions that were made by Texas media editorial boards.

Media	Prop. 1	Prop. 2	Prop. 3	Prop. 4	Prop. 5	Prop. 6	Prop. 7	Prop. 8
Austin American-Statesman	a	a	d	a	a	a	a	a
The Austin Chronicle	a	a	d	d	d	a	d	d
The Dallas Morning News	a	a	a	a	a	a	a	a
Fort Worth Star-Telegram	a	a	d	a	a	a	a	a
Houston Chronicle	tc	a	d	tc	tc	tc	tc	tc
San Antonio Express-News	a	a	d	a	a	a	a	a
El Paso Times	a	a	d	a	a	a	a	a

Historical facts

Measures

See also: List of Texas ballot measures

The following statistics are based on ballot measures between 1995 and 2020 in Texas:

• Ballots featured 169 constitutional amendments.
• An average of 13 measures appeared on odd-year statewide ballots.
• The number of ballot measures on odd-year statewide ballots ranged from 7 to 22.
• Voters approved 91% (154 of 169) and rejected 9% (15 of 169) of the constitutional amendments.

Legislatively-referred constitutional amendments, 1995-2020
Total number	Approved	Percent approved	Defeated	Percent defeated	Odd-year average	Odd-year median	Odd-year minimum	Odd-year maximum
169	154	91.1%	15	8.9%	12.8	11	7	22

During the 2021 regular and first special legislative sessions, 251 constitutional amendments were filed in the Texas State Legislature. In the regular session, legislators filed 218 amendments, and in the first special session, legislators filed 33 amendments. Between 2009 and 2020, an average of 192 constitutional amendments were filed during regular legislative sessions. The state legislature approved an average of nine constitutional amendments during regular legislative sessions. Therefore, the average rate of certification during regular legislative sessions was 4.7%. In 2021, eight of the 218 proposed constitutional amendments were certified for the ballot during the regular session, meaning the rate of certification was 3.7%, down from 4.6% in 2019.

By topic

The following sortable table shows the topic breakdown for the 169 measures that were referred to Texas ballots between 1995 and 2019:

Topic	Number of measures
Administration of government	16
Bonds	20
Business regulation	9
Education	5
Elections	4
Government budgets and finances	16
State judiciary	8
County and local government	7
Property	11
State executive	4
Taxes	38
Transportation	4
Veterans	2
Civil and criminal trials and Law enforcement	6
Constitutional language	3
Natural resources, Forests and parks, and Animals	4
State legislature	1
Healthcare	2
Housing	2
Gambling	2
Term limits	2
Marriage	1
Pensions	1

Turnout

Between 1988 and 2020, the average turnout of registered voters in odd-numbered year elections featuring constitutional amendments was 11 percent—39 percentage points lower than the average turnout at general elections in even-numbered years. The lowest turnout for an odd-numbered year election during this period was 5 percent in 2011 when voters decided 10 constitutional amendments. The highest turnout for an odd-numbered year election during this period was 26 percent in 1991 when voters decided 13 constitutional amendments.

Local ballot measures

See also: Texas 2021 local ballot measures

Click here to read more about 2021 local ballot measures in Texas.

Not on the ballot

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
LRCA	Emergency Declarations Amendment	Executive	Amends the Texas Constitution to require the Texas Governor to convene the state legislature if he or she desires to extend an emergency declaration beyond 30 days when certain conditions are met and allows the state legislature to challenge the governor in the state Supreme Court if a special session is not called
LRCA	Local Option Homestead Tax Exemption for Certain Physicians Amendment	Taxes	Amends the Texas Constitution to authorize a local option homestead tax exemption for licensed physicians who provide healthcare services without payment, including the Medicaid program
LRCA	Brain Institute Bonds Amendment	Bond issues	Authorizes the legislature to issue bonds for the Brain Institute of Texas
LRCA	Creation of State Utilities Reliability Funds Amendment	Utilities	Creates the State Utilities Reliability Fund and the State Utilities Reliability Revenue Fund
LRCA	Prohibit New Taxes on Securities Transactions and Operators Amendment	Taxes	Prohibits the legislature from enacting new taxes on securities transactions and operators
LRCA	Denial of Bail for Certain Crimes Amendment	Law enforcement	Authorizes a judge or magistrate to deny bail for certain crimes including, persons accused of a violent or sexual offense or continuous trafficking of persons
LRCA	Authorize Political Subdivisions to Limit Property Taxes Amendment	Taxes	Authorizes a political subdivision other than a school to limit the amount of taxes imposed on the residence homesteads of persons who are disabled or elderly and their surviving spouses
LRCA	Creation of Grow Texas Fund Amendment	State and local government budgets, spending and finance	Creates the Grow Texas Fund and allocates money from the general fund to the new fund, the economic stabilization fund, and the state highway fund
LRCA	Changes in Regulations Governing Bail Amendment	Law enforcement	Authorizes a judge or magistrate to impose the least restrictive bail conditions and to deny bail for certain crimes including, persons accused of a violent or sexual offense or continuous trafficking of persons
LRCA	School Maintenance and Operations Property Tax Rate Deduction for Elderly and Disabled Residents Amendment	Taxes	Authorizes the state legislature to reduce the amount of the limitation on total ad valorem taxes imposed on the homesteads of elderly or disabled residents for school maintenance and operations to reflect any statutory reduction from the preceding tax year

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.

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...

See also

• 2021 ballot measures
• Texas 2021 local ballot measures
• List of Texas ballot measures
• Texas State Legislature

External links

• Texas Elections Division
• Texas State Legislature
• Official State Voter Guide