Here's Why There Are 2 Elections in May 2022

SAN ANGELO – There are two statewide elections in May and early voting for the first one began Monday, April 25, 2022.  

The first election is a uniform election date set by the legislature for schools, cities, special districts, and in this case, constitutional amendments passed by special sessions of the Texas Legislature.  

There are two propositions on the ballot for the May 7, 2022 Constitutional Amendment and both deal with property tax.  

Monday, April 25 will be the first day of early voting for the upcoming May 7 uniform election and also the last day to register to vote in the May 24 primary runoff.

The May 7 uniform election is mostly made up of local city council and school board races, though there are two important amendments to the state constitution up for consideration on the ballot that would lower property taxes that fund public schools. 

If passed, Proposition 1 would amend the state constitution to authorize the state legislature to reduce the property tax limit for school maintenance and operations taxes imposed on the homesteads of disabled residents or those over the age of 65.

The amount paid to public schools is typically the largest obligation on a property tax bill. The state would make up the difference and the reduction of those property taxes is estimated to cost $744 million from 2024 to 2026. 

The annual savings for the estimated 2 million exemption holders would be $109 in 2024 and $124 in 2025, though actual savings will vary due to actual property value. 

Proposition 2 would raise the homestead exemption from $25,000 to $40,000 for school district property taxes. The amendment is expected to save 5.67 million homeowners about $175 annually.

"If passed, both of these propositions will cut independent school district property tax bills by increasing homeowner exemptions that will save money for all 5.67 million homesteads in the State of Texas," stated State Sen. Bettencourt. "All homeowners with homesteads will save money on their property tax bills. Over 65 homeowners will see their freeze values actually decline, and lifetime savings from both bills in the many thousands."

Early voting for the constitutional amendment election continues April 25 - 29 and May 2,3 in the Keyes building downtown.  

The second election in May 2022 is the Runoff election set for May 24 and includes the GOP candidates for Tom Green County Judge, Commissioner in Pct. 4 and Justice of the Peace in Pct. 3 along with statewide runoff elections.  Early voting for that election runs from May 16 to 20.