The

Bluebonnet
Newsletter for Texas College Democrats Affiliates
NOVEMBER 8th CONSTITUIONAL AMENDMENTS Proposition 1 "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 100 percent or totally disabled veteran." Proposition 2 "The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of additional general obligation bonds by the Texas Water Development Board in an amount not to exceed $6 billion at any time outstanding." Proposition 3 "The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Texas to finance educational loans to students."

ABSENTEE BALLOTS Registered to vote back home and unable to make it back for election day? Be sure to request an absentee ballot by the 1st of November. To request your ballot by mail, follow the link below to application. You will mail that application to your county clerk (Contact info HERE) and no later than one working day you will receive your ballot by mail. Cast your ballot and make your vote count!

VOTING RIGHTS It is of the utmost importance you are fully aware and understanding of the rights prescribed to you in voting.
Polling officials may assist or instruct how to

cast a ballot, yet not suggest how to vote.

The ballot issued to you will have written in-

structions on how to cast a ballot. Should you mismark your original ballot, you may obtain up to two more. Your ballot may be cast in secret and free from intimidation An interpreter may assist you (English is not a requirement to vote) Any possible violation of voting rights or abuse should be reported to the Secretary of State at 1-800-252-8683. If your name does not appear on the list of registered voters, your ballot will be cast provisionally. File an administrative complaint with the Secretary of State concerning violations of federal and state voting procedures. In addition, the new Voter ID Law does not go into effect until January 1, 2012. For this election, you are not required to show state-issued photo identification and your ballot cannot be counted provisionally for not obtaining said identification.

Proposition 4 "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit a county to issue bonds or notes to finance the development or redevelopment of an unproductive, underdeveloped, or blighted area and to pledge for repayment of the bonds or notes increases in ad valorem taxes imposed by the county on property in the area. The amendment does not provide authority for increasing ad valorem tax rates." Proposition 5 "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to allow cities or counties to enter into interlo- NOVEMBER 8th VOTING ISSUES cal contracts with other cities or counties without the imposition of a tax or the provision of a sinking There are ten Constitutionfund." al Amendments on the November 8th state-wide ballot. One of Proposition 6 which directly affects education, "The constitutional amendment clarifying references Proposition 3. According to the to the permanent school fund, allowing the General Texas Secretary of State explanaLand Office to distribute revenue from permanent tion, Proposition 3, SJR50, would school fund land or other properties to the available amend the constitution to authorschool fund to provide additional funding for public ize the Texas Higher Education education, and providing for an increase in the marCoordinating Board, or its succesket value of the permanent school fund for the pursors, to issue and sell general oblipose of allowing increased distributions from the gation bonds on a continuing baavailable school fund." sis for the purpose of financing educational loans for students. Proposition 7 "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legis- Funds for educational loans would lature to permit conservation and reclamation dis- be subject only to certain constitricts in El Paso County to issue bonds supported by tutional restrictions, including a ad valorem taxes to fund the development and restriction as to the maximum principal amount of bonds outmaintenance of parks and recreational facilities." IMPORTANT ELECTION standing at any one time. For detailed explanations of each voting Early Voting Proposition 8 "The constitutional amendment providing for the ap- issue, see the link to the right of praisal for ad valorem tax purposes of open-space this article. Deadline for Absentee Ballot Request land devoted to water-stewardship purposes on the basis of its productive capacity." Election Day Proposition 9 "The constitutional amendment authorizing the governor to grant a pardon to a person who successfully completes a term of deferred adjudication community supervision." Proposition 10 "The constitutional amendment to change the length of the unexpired term that causes the automatic resignation of certain elected county or district officeholders if they become candidates for another office." The wording and order of the propositions shown here will appear identical to the November 8th Ballot. All information provided by the Office of the Texas Secretary of State.

DATES
Oct. 24-Nov. 4 Nov.1 Nov. 8

DEPUTY VOTER REGISTRAR

WANT TO HIGHLIGHT YOUR CHAPTER? SHARE VIA THE BLUEBONNET Email TCD Communications Director Trenton Garza tgarza@txcollegedems.org

As politically active students, we take it upon ourselves to see changed and involvement in our nations democratic process. With the beginning of Texas Wins, it is suggested you become a Deputy Voter Registrar. In doing this, the State entrusts you with the responsibility of officially registering voters. It is an appointed position by county voter registrars and charged with helping increase voter registration in the state. Become a Deputy Registrar and ensure students are able to vote in the election they desire to. To do this, contact your countys Voter Registrar, they will give further instructions.