By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Reporter
The votes have been counted, and the results are in. Texas voters overwhelmingly approved all seven amendments to the Texas Constitution during the November Uniform Election.
The Texas Legislature may now expand the circumstances allowing a partially-disabled veteran and his/her spouse an exemption from ad valorem taxes on their residence homestead through Proposition 1.
The exemption applies to partially disabled veterans and surviving spouses if their residence was donated by a charitable organization for less than its market value.
The former law only allowed the exemption if the homestead was donated at no cost to the veteran.
With all precincts reporting by Wednesday morning, the measure passed with 86 percent of the vote.
More than 749,000 Texans voted in favor of the amendment. Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) supported the proposition.
The refinancing process on home equity loans will soon change following the passage of Proposition 2.
The constitutional amendment establishes a lower amount for expenses that can be charged to a borrower and removes certain financing expense limitations for a home equity loan.
It allows farmers and ranchers to acquire home equity loans while maintaining the agricultural valuation of their properties.
It requires certain conditions be met to refinance a home equity loan secured by a voluntary loan on a homestead. It also lowers the cap on fees associated with the home equity loan from three percent to two percent of the original principal amount of the extension of credit.
It establishes authorized lenders to make a home equity loan, changes the options for refinancing of home equity loans and changes the threshold for an advance of a home equity line of credit.
The proposition, which TFB policy supports, passed with more than 68 percent of votes cast.
More than 83 percent of voters approved Proposition 3. The constitutional amendment would require office holders appointed by the governor and approved by the Texas Senate to vacate their position at the end of the legislative session during which their term expires.
If someone is not reappointed during that time, the seat will remain vacant.
TFB had no position on the proposition.
The Texas Legislature can now require a court to provide at least a 45 day notice to the attorney general of a challenge to the constitutionality of a state statute with the passage of Proposition 4.
More than 549,000 Texans, 64 percent, voted in favor of the amendment. TFB had no position on the matter.
More than 60 percent of votes were cast in favor of Proposition 5 in early voting and on Election Day.
The amendment clarifies what a professional sports team is for the purposes of charitable foundations who may be permitted by the Texas Legislature to host a charitable raffle.
TFB had no position on the proposition.
Proposition 6 authorizes the Texas Legislature to exempt ad valorem taxes for all or part of the market value of a residence for the surviving spouse of a first responder killed in the line of duty.
The amendment passed with more than 84 percent of the vote. TFB had no policy on the proposal.
The final amendment, Proposition 7, allows the Texas Legislature to grant an exemption for credit unions and other financial institutions to use lotteries, raffles and other programs that are a game of chance for credit unions to promote savings.
The proposition passed with more than 59 percent of votes cast. TFB had no position on the amendment.
According to the Texas Secretary of State, less than six percent of all voters cast ballots during the election.