By FPL_Gabriella
Get ready Frisco, it’s time for another election! On November 7, 2023, Frisco voters will vote on fourteen proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution and if you are in Collin County, you will also be voting on five proposed bond packages.
Why do we vote on amendments to the Texas Constitution?
Did you know that Texas residents have voted on 700 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution and 517 of those amendments have passed? The reason that the Texas Constitution has so many amendments compared to our federal U.S. Constitution is because the powers granted to the Texas Legislature and the governor are limited to what is written in the Texas Constitution. This makes it essential for voters to approve or deny proposed amendments for many issues ranging from the state judge retirement age to funding water projects.
How does an amendment get on the ballot?
Article 17 of the Texas Constitution governs the process of how an amendment reaches the voters. Proposed amendments first start as a Joint Resolution in either the Texas House or Senate, moves through a committee relevant to the proposed amendment, then needs to pass a two-thirds majority vote by the Texas House and Senate for the Secretary of State to place the proposed amendment on the ballot.
What is a bond?
If you are a Frisco resident in Collin County, you will be voting on five proposed bond packages. Bonds are a debt security issued by a local government that allows a local government to borrow money for specific purposes with the promise of returning money to investors. Voters ultimately get to choose how much money their local government chooses to borrow for various purposes such as funding an animal shelter or maintaining roads.
When and where can I vote?
Early voting begins on October 23, 2023 and lasts until November 3, 2023. Election Day is November 7.
Collin County residents can search their voter registration, where to vote, and view a sample ballot on the Collin County Elections website, opens a new window.
Denton County residents can search their voter registration, where to vote, and view a sample ballot on the Denton County elections website, opens a new window.
What forms of identification will I need to vote?
Texas state law requires that voters show a form of identification when they go to vote. The Texas Secretary of State lists seven forms of identification as acceptable to present to polling staff to vote. Those seven forms of identification are:
- Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
- Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
- United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
- United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
- United States Passport (book or card)
Expired documents may be used but the regulations vary based on age. If you are aged 18–69, you may use a document that is expired by no more than four years. If you are 70 years or older, you may use any expired document that is otherwise valid. If you are unable to provide one of these documents or want greater clarification, visit Identification Requirements for Voting, opens a new window to learn more.
For more information, check out these links:
Texas Secretary of State, opens a new window
Vote Texas, opens a new window
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