Conveniently enough, just as we are beginning to discuss elections in 2301, a real live election day is upon us. I'm still unsure about which of you I'd like to see actually vote (but anyone who does, please tell us why. What are you hoping to achieve by taking away time that could have been spent doing so many other things?)
For information about what is on the statewide ballot click this link to the Texas Secretary of State page on elections.
The statewide vote will be dominated by the 16 constitutional amendments passed by the legislature last spring. This is a type of direct election--at least the most direct it gets statewide. The voters have a direct hand on determining which of these amendments live or die. The Chron tries to clarify them here. The most noteworthy amendment is the one that authorizes the ale of up to $3 billion dollars for cancer research, but no hot button issues like tort reform or same-sex marriage.
Locally, Brazoria County residents will decide a variety of issues--depending on where one lives--including local options to allow the sale of wine in grocery stores across the county, and the sale of mixed beverages in restaurants in the extra territorial jurisdiction of Pearland.
Houston will hold elections for Mayor, city council and a handful of other positions--see the voting guide in the Chron here. A bond proposal by the Houston Independent School District has turned out to be suprisingly controversial.
More to come.
