Early Voting starts October 21

Constitutional Amendments, METRO, Aldine ISD Trustees on Ballot

Monday Oct. 21 is the first day of Early Voting in the General Election. Aldine area residents will vote on 10 constitutional amendments, METRO’s MetroNext bond issue, and Aldine ISD school board positions. Early voting continues through November 1, and you may vote this year at any election location. The General Election is scheduled for November 5.

ALDINE SCHOOL BOARD

There are four open positions on the Aldine School Board this year. For Trustee Position 1, Steven Moore, Jimmy Edward Morales, Jamail Johnson, and William “Randy” Bates are running. For Trustee Position 2, incumbent Paul Shanklin is running unopposed. For Trustee Position 6, Kimberly Booker, Danny Spears, and Rickey Tezino are running. Booker is the incumbent. For Trustee Position 7, Viola Garcia, Terkara Cormier, and Nico Mathews are running. Garcia is the incumbent.

METRO BOND ISSUE

Proposition A on the ballot would authorize a $3.5 billion bond issue, to be used for METRO street improvements, mobility projects, and other facilities. Funds for this work would come from the existing Sales Tax, and there would not be any additional taxes required. Projects included in this proposal are a new MetroRapid Bus System, more HOV lanes, and extension of the MetroRail system.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Texans will vote on 10 new Constitutional Amendments on November 5th. The issues addressed include a state income tax, creating a flood infrastructure fund, and funding for the Cancer Research and Prevention Institute of Texas. The League of Women Voters of Texas (LWVTX) conducts research on each amendment to provide fair and unbiased information to Texas voters.

“The Texas Constitution is among the longest in the country. Since it was adopted in 1876, 498 amendments have been approved by Texas voters. You decide which of the 10 proposed amendments will become part of the Texas Constitution,” says LWVTX president Grace Chimene.

The League’s Voters Guide is available online on the LWVTX website and Texas voters can review their ballot, make choices, and print out their choices from VOTE411.org. The printed Voters Guide can be found at many Texas public libraries. Texas voters may take the printed Voters Guide, their VOTE411.org printed list, or their own notes into the polling booth. They may not use their phone in the polling place. Amendments to consider in this election:

— Proposition 1 would amend the Texas Constitution to allow a municipal judge to be elected in more than one jurisdiction.

— Proposition 2 (SJR 79) would allow the Water Development Board to issue general obligation bonds for the Economically Distressed Areas Program (EDAP). The outstanding bonds could not exceed $200 million. The bonds would be used to develop water supply and sewer projects in economically depressed areas of the state. The EDAP assists water infrastructure projects when the median income of a region is less than 75% of the state’s median income.

— Proposition 3 would allow the Texas Legislature to give a temporary property tax exemption in a disaster area.

— Proposition 4 would prohibit the Texas Legislature from establishing a personal state income tax.

— Proposition 5 would require the Legislature to allocate sales tax revenue from sporting goods sales to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission.

— Proposition 6 would authorize the Legislature to double the maximum bond amount for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to $6 billion.

— Proposition 7 would double the amount of money that the General Land Office could distribute to the Available School Fund to $600 million.

— Proposition 8 would create a Flood Infrastructure Fund to assist in financing drainage, flood mitigation, and flood control products.

— Proposition 9 would authorize the legislature to exempt precious metals held in a Texan precious metal depository to be exempted from property taxes.

— Proposition 10 would allow the transfer of a law enforcement animal to a qualified caretaker in certain circumstances.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE NOVEMBER 5TH ELECTION

Last Day to Register to Vote for 11/5 Election: October 7

Early Voting: October 21 to November 1

Last Day to Request Vote by Mail Ballot: October 25

Vote by Mail Deadline: Must be received by November 5 at 7 pm

Election Day: Nov. 5

VOTER ID INFORMATION

In Texas, you are required to bring a valid form of ID with you to the polls. There are 7 forms of ID you can use: a Driver’s License, a US passport, a US military photo ID, a Texas Personal Identification card, a photo US citizenship certificate, or a Texas Election Identification Certificate. If you do not have a photo ID or cannot reasonably obtain one, you may still vote upon signing a form and presenting an original copy of your Voter Registration Card, certified birth certificate, current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck with your name and address on it.

For help on registering to vote, checking your registration status, or finding what’s on your ballot, visit VOTE411.org or our voting webpage.