ELECTIONS: Unofficial results for constitutional amendment, joint election
Published 10:45 pm Tuesday, November 7, 2023
- Voters head to the polls in Tyler during November 2023 election. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph File)
Editor’s Note: These are unofficial results. Numbers from Smith County’s summary report are reflected below, with 100% reporting.
Unofficial election results in Smith County show a 14.9% voter turnout.
A total of 23,142 people voted in the Nov. 7 constitutional amendment and joint election in Smith County, according to a summary results report released by the Smith County Elections Office.
Along with voting on 14 statewide propositions, some Smith County residents had local items on their ballots.
The cities of Whitehouse and Overton and the Whitehouse and Lindale Independent School Districts held special elections.
City of Whitehouse
Proposition A passed with 69.38%, or 555 voters, in favor while 30.62%, or 245 people, voted against the measure.
This will change how the city’s taxes are reported to the state and how existing tax dollars are spent in the city. The city previously said if the measure were to pass, Whitehouse would offer “greater transparency on the amount of property taxes collected, direct more existing funds to economic development, and reduce the impact of government regulations coming out of Austin.”
Whitehouse ISD
Voters overwhelmingly approved the school district’s Proposition A, with 78.02%, or 2,389 people, voting in favor while 21.98%, or 673 voters, were against it.
This proposition will provide additional maintenance and operating funding and maximize state funding. Whitehouse ISD would realize $1.6 million more annually through maintenance and operating funds, according to previous reporting.
Lindale ISD
A majority of citizens – 71.74% or 2,825 voters – voted for Proposition A, ratifying the tax rate of $0.9542 per $100 valuation. A total of 1,113 voters, or 28.26%, voted against the measure.
This rate will result in an increase of negative 6.867% in maintenance and operations tax revenue for the district for the current year as compared to the preceding year, which is an additional negative $1,365,897.
Lindale ISD will cut taxes an additional 21.54 cents, for 43.58 cents over the last five years. The six cents will generate an additional $1,400,000 in revenue that the school district will use to improve the Lindale ISD teacher pay scale and pay for support staff, according to the district.
City of Overton
In the Overton mayoral race, Curtis Gilbert received 183 votes to Richard Howell’s 59, according to unofficial results provided by Rusk and Smith County elections offices.
Three ran uncontested for council places 2, 3, and 4, respectively, including Christopher Hall, Raymond G. “Tuck” Moon,” and April Littlefield.
Statewide
Voters approved a massive property tax cut and several other measures, but refused to raise the mandatory retirement age for judges. Read more here.
Here’s how Smith County voters voted on the propositions:
State Prop 1
For: 82.14%, or 18,797 votes
Against: 17.86%, or 4,086 votes
State Prop 2
For: 63.33%, or 14,250 votes
Against: 36.67%, or 8,250 votes
State Prop 3
For: 78.47%, or 17,715 votes
Against: 21.53%, or 4,861 votes
State Prop 4
For: 83.18%, or 18,916 votes
Against: 16.82%, or 3,824 votes
State Prop 5
For: 58.09%, or 13,082 votes
Against: 41.91%, or 9,437 votes
State Prop 6
For: 72.38%, or 16,389 votes
Against: 27.62%, or 6,253 votes
State Prop 7
For: 67.05%, or 15,170 votes
Against: 32.95%, or 7,455 votes
State Prop 8
For: 67.33%, or 15,221 votes
Against: 32.67, or 7,384 votes
State Prop 9
For: 80.59%, or 18,407 votes
Against: 19.41%, or 4,434 votes
State Prop 10
For: 55.33%, or 12,404 votes
Against: 44.67%, or 10,015 votes
State Prop 11
For: 57.67%, or 12,488 votes
Against: 42.33%, or 9,167 votes
State Prop 12
For: 53.88%, or 11,254 votes
Against: 46.12%, or 9,632 votes
State Prop 13
For: 38.71%, or 8,673 votse
Against: 61.29%, or 13,731 votes
State Prop 14
For: 72.26%, or 16,304 votes
Against: 27.74%, or 6,259 votes