Trendpills
Texas voters will head to the polls on November 4, 2025, to decide the fate of a full slate of 17 proposed constitutional amendments passed by the state Legislature. The proposals cover a wide array of topics, including property tax exemptions, infrastructure funding, state park administration, and clarifications on voting eligibility. This biennial process allows citizens to directly approve or reject changes to the state's foundational legal document.
To be placed on the ballot, a proposed amendment must first receive a two-thirds vote in both the Texas House and Senate. Once on the ballot, it requires a simple majority from voters to be enacted. The amendments proposed for 2025 address a diverse set of needs and interests, ranging from creating new state funds for specific purposes to providing tax relief for childcare facilities and surviving spouses of deceased military members.
One of the most discussed measures is Proposition 16, which seeks to amend the constitution to clarify that only a citizen of the United States can vote in Texas elections. While federal and state law already restrict voting to citizens, supporters argue this amendment would add a crucial layer of protection to the Texas Constitution, preventing non-citizen voting in local elections should municipalities attempt to authorize it. Opponents contend the measure is redundant and politically motivated, as current law is already clear on the matter.
Other propositions include measures to establish a fund for port modernization and to authorize bonds for roadway and infrastructure improvements. Given the complexity and sometimes convoluted wording of ballot language, organizations and media outlets have published guides to help voters understand a measure's practical and fiscal impact. Various groups, including think tanks, offer voter guides with specific recommendations on how to vote, reflecting different political and economic philosophies. Voters are encouraged to study the propositions before heading to the polls, as the outcomes will have lasting effects on state governance and finances.
