Texas voters approved all 17 constitutional amendments in Texas on Nov. 4 — with nearly three million Texas voters, marking the highest turnout in an off-year election since 2005. Bexar County also saw a surge in civic participation, with 248,428 voters showing up to the polls, 19.31% of Bexar County eligible voters. Elections Administrator Michele Carew stating in a press conference that voters “shattered” 2023 turnout numbers.

Last week, the Trinitonian distributed a form asking for student opinions on the Bexar County Propositions, as well as Texas Constitutional Amendments that staff identified as most relevant to the Trinity community.

The following is a summary of certain amendments that appeared on the ballot, followed by results of the Trinitonian’s student survey and how voters in the county and state cast their ballots.

Proposition 1:

Provided for the creation of a permanent technical institution infrastructure fund and an available workforce education fund to support Texas State Technical College System.

Proposition 3:

Denial of bail for persons accused of certain felony offenses, in circumstances when the defense can demonstrate a preponderance of the evidence and clear and convincing evidence that bail is insufficient to protect others. Some of these offenses include murder, indecency with a child, aggravated kidnapping or sexual assault, human trafficking, etc.

Proposition 4:

Allocates funds from sales tax revenue after it reaches a certain benchmark to be automatically given to the state water fund. Also authorizes the state legislature to adjust the allocation of funds by two-thirds vote.

Proposition 14:

Establishing the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and a fund of the same name for research on prevention and treatment of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkison’s disease and other related diseases. The fund shall contain an initial $3 billion from state revenue to fund this

Proposition 15:

Provides that parents have the right to exercise care and control of their child, the right to make decisions regarding their upbringing and responsibility to nurture and protect their child.

Proposition 16:

Mandates that all voters must be U.S. Citizens.

Bexar County Proposition A:

Provides funding for the redevelopment of the Frost Bank Center and Freeman Coliseum into a year-round livestock and rodeo district. This funding comes from a raise of hotel and car rental taxes.

Bexar County Proposition B:

Provides $311 million in funding from Bexar County for the construction of the new San Antonio Spurs basketball arena downtown.

Graphs displaying data gathered from 68 Trinity students who responded to the Trinitonian’s survey on Bexar
County elections, excluding 19 students who responded with “no opinion” on Proposition 3. The survey results
have an 11.72% margin of error. County and state-level data were taken from public voting records.