Bastrop County votes

Voters showed up to polling booths across the county Nov. 7 to weigh in on 14 different propositions, most of which affect residents statewide.

Of the 57,360 registered voters in Bastrop County, 9,630 chose to exercise their given right to vote. This 16% voter turnout is around what most Texas counties saw for the special election, greater than the 4% of Lamb County, but not quite as high as Concho’s 48%, according to county election officials.

The vast majority of residents chose to vote in person, rather than by mail. The booths in Bastrop’s Ascension Catholic Church saw the most action, followed by Elgin’s Recreation Center and Smithville’s Recreation Center.

All but one of the 14 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution, the second longest in the country behind Alabama, were passed.

Texans did not feel as though raising the mandatory retirement age for judges was a good decision at this time, according to voters.

However, most local landowners should immediately see results from the outcome of Proposition 4, an $18 billion property tax cut. With an 84% voter approval rate, the amendment targets school district property taxes and savings should be visible in 2023 tax bills.

Child-care facilities will also see new tax exemptions in the future.

Proposition 9 was another generally unanimous decision, as 84% of voters agreed to increase pension payments for retired teachers.

Other results will lead to the creation or alteration of several funding programs, including the Texas water, electricity, university and centennial parks conservation funds, as well as honor Texans’ right to farm.