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August 5, 2013
Contact: Alicia Pierce
512/ 463-5770

AUSTIN, TX – Today, Texas Secretary of State John Steen selected the ballot order for the 9 proposed constitutional amendments to be voted on as part of the November 5 election.

“This fall voters will be asked to approve 9 amendments to the Texas Constitution,” said Secretary Steen. “By randomly selecting the order in which the amendments appear, we can help ensure no amendment unfairly benefits from its placement on the ballot.”

The amendments will appear in the following order:

Proposition 1 (HJR 62) The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a member of the armed services of the United States who is killed in action.

Proposition 2 (HJR 79) The constitutional amendment eliminating an obsolete requirement for a State Medical Education Board and a State Medical Education Fund, neither of which is operational.

Proposition 3 (HJR 133) The constitutional amendment to authorize a political subdivision of this state to extend the number of days that aircraft parts that are exempt from ad valorem taxation due to their location in this state for a temporary period may be located in this state for purposes of qualifying for the tax exemption."

Proposition 4 (HJR 24) The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of part of the market value of the residence homestead of a partially disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a partially disabled veteran if the residence homestead was donated to the disabled veteran by a charitable organization.

Proposition 5 (SJR 18) The constitutional amendment to authorize the making of a reverse mortgage loan for the purchase of homestead property and to amend lender disclosures and other requirements in connection with a reverse mortgage loan.

Proposition 6 (SJR 1) The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas and the State Water Implementation Revenue Fund for Texas to assist in the financing of priority projects in the state water plan to ensure the availability of adequate water resources.

Proposition 7 (HJR 87) The constitutional amendment authorizing a home-rule municipality to provide in its charter the procedure to fill a vacancy on its governing body for which the unexpired term is 12 months or less.

Proposition 8 (HJR 147 and SJR 54) The constitutional amendment repealing Section 7, Article IX, Texas Constitution, which relates to the creation of a hospital district in Hidalgo County.

Proposition 9 (SJR 42) The constitutional amendment relating to expanding the types of sanctions that may be assessed against a judge or justice following a formal proceeding instituted by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

Adding a sense of history to today’s event, the actual 1876 Texas Constitution was displayed and the amendments were drawn from a wooden box made from materials from the home where Texas delegates met at Washington-on-the-Brazos to declare independence from Mexico in 1836.

“Texas still operates under the 1876 Constitution so its presence is a good reminder about the importance and lasting impact of amending this document,” said Steen.

The 1876 Constitution and historic wood box were generously made available by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, which also hosted the event at the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building.

As part of his presentation, Secretary Steen reminded voters that the November 5 election will be the first statewide election with new photo ID requirements in effect for voting in person.

“Now is a good time for voters to make sure they have the appropriate photo ID and update their registration if their voter registration does not match the name on their ID,” said Steen. “To learn more, voters are encouraged to visit VoteTexas.gov or contact their county elections office.”

Voters ages 65 and older and those with a disability may vote by mail for any election.

For more information about voting in Texas, visit: www.votetexas.gov

For more information about the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, including the 1876 Constitution, visit: https://www.tsl.texas.gov/