Home > Postcards > Archives > 2009 > November > 04 > Entry
Turnout about 8 percent in Tuesday’s election
The unofficial figures posted at the Texas secretary of state’s Web site show that about 8 percent of the state’s 13 million registered voters went to the polls on Tuesday.
In contrast, turnout was 8.7 percent for the last election involving constitutional amendments, two years ago. In both elections, all of the amendments were approved.
A caveat concerning Tuesday’s election: Upton and Jim Wells counties haven’t reported their returns yet, said Ashley Burton, a spokeswoman for the secretary of state’s office. Still, 99.79 percent of precincts statewide have turned in figures, so that’s probably close enough for newspaper work.
The margins on the 11 amendments — again, these are unofficial figures subject to change — varied considerably. Proposition 11, limiting the government’s exercise of eminent domain, passed with the widest cushion, 89 percent to 11 percent. No surprise there, considering the lofty place occupied by private property rights in the Texas psyche.
Proposition 1, allowing cities and counties to sell bonds to buy open space near military bases, had the narrowest margin, with 55 percent of voters favoring it. Proposition 4, freeing up about $500 million in dormant funds for public universities aspiring to become major research institutions, had the next-closest margin, with 57 percent voting their approval.
Get more Legislative coverage inside the Virtual Capitol
Permalink | Comments (12) | Post your comment Categories: Elections
Comments
Austinites love to be heard, and we're giving you a bullhorn. We just ask that you keep things civil. Leave out the personal attacks. Do not use profanity, ethnic or racial slurs, or take shots at anyone's sexual orientation or religion. If you can't be nice, we reserve the right to remove your material and ban users who violate our Visitor's agreement. Click here to report comment abuse.
By Tommy Jefferson
November 6, 2009 12:49 PM | Link to this
It is truely pathetic to watch these morons run to the polls and beg their masters to rape them just a little bit less.
Plantation slaves had more pride than these proles.
A cow licks the hand of the farmer because it is a dumb beast that doesn’t understand its real relationship with the farmer.
What’s your excuse?
By EE
November 4, 2009 3:10 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe every last proposition passed. I vote against props unless I really think they’re good or necessary, so I only voted for a couple.
How cluttered must the Texas Constitution be?
By andy
November 4, 2009 2:49 PM | Link to this
for you nutjobs that are afraid of health care reform: Most if not all European countries have universal, affordable health care. Those countries have thriving private sectors, even the ‘socialist’ countries like Sweden. Ever heard of SAAB cars, airplanes? Hiqh quality, competitive. BOFORS arms, IKEA furnishings, Thule gear carriers, etc.? these countries economies are powered by companies big and small that are successful in spite of everyone having access to health care. Do some research before you make assumptions on good and evil, or associate health care with North Korean or Cuban style communism.
By Jim Fung
November 4, 2009 2:38 PM | Link to this
Prop 11 passed 81-19%, not 89-11%.
By MM
November 4, 2009 2:32 PM | Link to this
A local election such as this one affects your life at least as much as the presidential election. Your right to not have your property taken by the government for purposes of building a new strip mall, for example, was at stake in one of the constitutional amendments that was on the ballot. Presidential elections tend to have less of a direct effect on one’s personal life, although unfortunately that may be a different story with Obama, who is hell-bent on taking over as much of our lives as possible. Most of the people who voted in last year’s election wanted to be “part of history” and they voted thusly regardless of whether the candidate would actually make a good president. Now we are all paying the price for their stupidity.
By Lisa
November 4, 2009 12:29 PM | Link to this
JN, this was not a presidential election. Some would say this was not a momentous election by any standard. The low turn-out rate is not surprising nor is it evidence of anything. And I, as a twentysomething who voted last election & “made history” DID get out to vote yesterday.
By Lisa
November 4, 2009 12:28 PM | Link to this
JN, this was not a presidential election. Some would say this was not a momentous election by any standard. The low turn-out rate is not surprising nor is it evidence of anything. And I, as a twentysomething who voted last election & “made history” DID get out to vote yesterday.
By Lisa
November 4, 2009 12:27 PM | Link to this
JN, this was not a presidential election. Some would say this was not a momentous election by any standard. The low turn-out rate is not surprising nor is it evidence of anything. And I, as a twentysomething who voted last election & “made history” DID get out to vote yesterday.
By JN
November 4, 2009 12:05 PM | Link to this
Voter turnout was only 8% - - I guess this means that all of the people over age 30 who were first-time voters in 2008, the MTV crowd, park bench residents, and everyone else who cast a ballot out of emotion to be “part of history” in 2008 decided to stay home for this election.
By Jim
November 4, 2009 11:50 AM | Link to this
Thanks, wingnuts, for that NY-23 seat. Nothing like increasing Democrats’ margin in Congress from 70 to 71 seats. Keep up the good work, ROBERT DAVIS.
By Jordan
November 4, 2009 10:53 AM | Link to this
Fortunately for Doggett, his South Austin-Hays County district is full of rational non-wingnut people who care about more than just themselves. Sorry but Doggett will be fine, and I will be voting for him.
By ROBERT DAVIS
November 4, 2009 10:34 AM | Link to this
VOTERS ARE JUST WAITING FOR 2010 WHEN WE CAN THROW PFOPLE LIKE LLOYD DOGGETT OUT OF OFFICE. YOU DOGGETT SUPPORTERS URGE HIM TO VOTE FOR THAT TERRIBLE HEALTHCARE BILL. THAT WILL GUARANTEE HIS DEFEAT AS HE SCREWS SENIORS AND PASSES TAXES WHICH WILL ANGER ENOUGH VOTERS TO LET HIS OPPONENT WIN! LIBERAL CONTROL FREAKS TOOK A BEATING YESTERDAY BUT NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT YOU WILL SEE IN 2010!