As an voters with deep stakes in training, taxation, infrastructure and fairness, voters throughout Texas and particularly in Harris County turned out on Nov. 4 to resolve a sweeping slate of 17 constitutional amendments, together with important native contests, amongst them trustee seats for the Houston Impartial College District (HISD) and a particular election for the Houston Metropolis Council At‑Giant Place 4.
Odd-year elections usually see low turnout, however this yr has been completely different. In accordance with the Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth’s workplace, this election cycle noticed a document variety of voters. Greater than 212,000 ballots have been forged in the course of the two-week early voting interval, whereas 211,670 have been forged on Election Day, totaling greater than 423,600 votes.
Right here’s who gained and what it means for Houston’s communities and native energy.
Statewide amendments
All 17 proposed constitutional amendments on the poll handed with voter approval.
Texans have been requested to vote “Sure” or “No” on the amendments, protecting a variety of points: tax exemptions, property and enterprise regulatory modifications, parental rights, citizen‑voting necessities, water infrastructure funding, dementia analysis, judiciary oversight and border/safety points.
As a result of all amendments require a easy majority to move, the outcomes will reshape the Texas Structure in main methods.
Property tax reduction
Seven of the 17 amendments tackle property tax exemptions and reduction measures:
Proposition 5 – HJR 99 would take away property taxes on animal feed offered in shops
Proposition 7 – HJR 133 presents a full or partial homestead exemption for surviving spouses of veterans who die from service-related situations
Proposition 9 – HJR 1 raises the tax-free quantity for enterprise gear and stock to $125,000
Proposition 10 – SJR 84 creates a short lived property tax exemption if a house is totally destroyed by hearth
Proposition 11 – SJR 85 will increase the college tax break for aged and disabled householders from $10,000 to $60,000
Proposition 13 – SJR 2 boosts the statewide homestead exemption (what a part of a house’s worth will not be taxed) from $100,000 to $140,000
Proposition 17 – HJR 34 permits border county residents to keep away from taxes on property upgrades used for border safety
Banning future taxes
Three amendments, Propositions 2, 6, and eight, would completely ban future types of taxation.
Proposition 2 – SJR 18 bans taxes on capital achieve
Proposition 6 – HJR 4 stops the state from placing new taxes on securities that companies purchase or commerce like shares and bonds
Proposition 8 – HJR 2 bans property or inheritance taxes, or taxes folks would pay on property or cash they inherit from somebody who died
Public security and judicial oversight
Two measures tackle the state’s justice system, stirring debate about security and due course of.
Proposition 3 – SJR 5 would permit judges to disclaim bail to defendants accused of sure felonies based mostly on perceived hazard or flight danger
Proposition 12 – SJR 27 restructures the State Fee on Judicial Conduct by giving the governor a majority of appointments, or seven out of 13 seats
Investments in training, water and well being analysis
Three amendments create new state funds for infrastructure and public packages:
Proposition 1 – SJR 59 establishes a everlasting technical establishment infrastructure fund and the out there workforce training fund for Texas State Technical Faculties, seeded with $850 million from basic income
Proposition 4 – HJR 7 dedicates a share of the state’s gross sales tax to the state water fund, a long-term $20 billion effort, which launches in 2027
Proposition 14 – SJR 3 launches a Dementia Prevention and Analysis Fund, transferring $3 billion from state income to review Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and associated ailments
Parental rights and citizenship
Proposition 15 – SJR 34 enshrines parental rights within the Structure, affirming that “dad and mom are the first decision-makers for his or her youngsters”
Proposition 16 – SJR 37 clarifies that solely United States residents can vote in Texas elections
HISD trustee races
Town’s largest college district, Houston Impartial College District, will see new elected trustees, amidst the Texas Training Company’s state intervention, which retains them from its day-to-day decision-making.
5 of HISD’s 9 trustee seats: Districts I, V, VI, VII and IX have been on the Nov. 4, 2025, poll. For the reason that TEA took over HISD in June 2023, it has operated below a state-appointed Board of Managers, assuming “the entire powers and authority beforehand held by the suspended Board of Trustees.” Which means the newly elected trustees won’t be able to set coverage, undertake budgets, rent or hearth the superintendent, or vote on contracts whereas the intervention continues. They are going to reclaim determination‑making as soon as the state intervention concludes.
In June this yr, Commissioner Mike Morath prolonged the intervention by way of June 1, 2027, changing 4 managers. For the intervention to finish, HISD has to fulfill three exit standards.
For Trustee District V, Maria Benzon secured about 67% of the vote in opposition to Robbie McDonough, who obtained 32%. Benzon is an educator, dad or mum and group chief with greater than 25 years in city public faculties and universities.
For Trustee District VI, Michael McDonough led with about 61% vs Kendall Baker’s 39%. A primary-time HISD District 5 candidate, McDonough is a practising lawyer and former oil and fuel authorities relations government with a background in political science.
For Trustee District VII, Bridget Wade edged forward with about 53% in opposition to Audrey Nath’s 47%. Wade is the incumbent HISD District VII trustee, a conservative elected in 2021 and a Houston native who attended Briargrove Elementary, Paul Revere Center College, Knowledge (previously Robert E. Lee) and Episcopal Excessive College earlier than incomes a B.A. from the College of Oklahoma.
Houston Metropolis Council At‑Giant Place 4
The particular election for Houston Metropolis Council At‑Giant Place 4, which covers Houston citywide seats, additionally gives perception into native energy. This place was on the poll to fill incumbent Letitia Plummer’s seat, following her computerized resignation below Texas’ “resign-to-run” regulation when she launched a bid for Harris County Choose earlier this yr.
Election numbers present Dwight A. Boykins, a former Houston Metropolis Council member, and Alejandra Salinas, an lawyer, heading to a runoff election. Whereas Boykins bagged about 23% of the votes, Salinas obtained 22%.
