May 2023 Austin Special Election Ballot Proposition: Voter Resource

Ballot Language: Shall the voters of Austin adopt an initiated ordinance, circulated by Equity Austin, that will deter police misconduct and brutality by strengthening the City’s system of independent and transparent civilian oversight?

Translation: Despite nearly identical ballot language, the two propositions on the ballot will do very different things if approved by voters. Prop A would strengthen the Office of Police Oversight by allowing it to conduct investigations and requiring the police chief to report on disciplinary measures taken when not in accordance with the OPO’s recommendations. In addition, both the OPO and the city’s citizen review panel would be allowed access to police employment files.

Ballot Language: Shall the voters of Austin adopt an initiated ordinance, circulated by Voters for Police Oversight and Police Accountability, that will strengthen the City’s system of independent and transparent civilian police oversight?

Translation: Despite nearly identical ballot language, the two propositions on the ballot will do very different things if approved by voters. Prop B would weaken police oversight by disallowing anonymous complaints and limiting Office of Police Oversight investigations to information released by the police. The proposition would also limit information shared with the citizen review and its membership — by banning anyone convicted of a Class B misdemeanor or more.

Council sends police oversight act to voters, despite concerns about delay

Equity Action announces long list of supporters

KUT News: There are two police oversight propositions on Austin’s ballot. Here’s what they mean.

Austin Chronicle: Want Stronger, More Transparent Oversight of APD? Vote on It.

Austin-American Statesman: Early voters head to the polls on Monday. What you need to know about Prop A and Prop B.

Key Dates

• Monday April 24: First day of in-person early voting
  • Check here to see if you are registered to vote
• Tuesday May 2: Last day of in-person early voting
• Saturday May 6: Election day

Where do I vote in person? 

In Travis County, registered voters may cast their ballots at any voting location, both during early voting and on election day. You can find a list of those locations and voting times on the website of the Travis County Clerk’s Office. While the election is underway, the clerk’s office also hosts a map that includes wait times at locations.

What do I need to know on voting day?

In order to cast a ballot, residents must be registered to vote, which can be confirmed online. Texans not previously registered can do so online, though that must be done 30 days before the election date and printed applications must be mailed.

In general, voters in Texas must bring photo ID to the polls. Under these rules, a photo ID can be a Texas driver’s license, Texas election identification certificate, Texas personal identification card, Texas handgun license, U.S. military card (with a photo), U.S. citizenship certificate (with a photo), or U.S. passport. Voters aged 18-69 may use a form of ID that is expired, if that expiration date is four years old or less. Voters 70 and older may use IDs that have expired more than four years ago. Registered voters who are not able to obtain a photo ID may vote by signing a Voter’s Declaration of Reasonable Impediment or Difficulty along with providing a non-photo ID that includes their address.

A number of common-sense rules tend to be posted at polling locations. This memo from the Texas director of elections does a good job of running through those rules. In short: firearms, electioneering, collecting signatures on a petition and wireless devices are not allowed within the 100-foot markers at each polling location. Electioneering is actively campaigning for something on the ballot, and that 100-foot perimeter expands to 1,000 feet if you are doing it via amplified sound. Wireless devices include cell phones, cameras, tablets, laptops and sound recorders. However, some exceptions are made for people with disabilities.

How do I decide how to vote?

How you vote is your decision, but there are several ways to get informed about the issues that will be on the ballot. In addition to our coverage of the election, several outlets around town have information on the election. (Note: The Austin Monitor does not endorse any of these endorsements, though we do read them.)

Endorsements (as they become available)

• The Austin Chronicle

Guides (as they become available)

• League of Women Voters Austin Area

Why should I vote?

Austin has a great record when it comes to voter registration; more than 97 percent of Travis County residents are registered to vote. However, we tend to fall short when it comes to local elections.

We generally do OK in presidential elections. In Travis County, the November 2020 election saw turnout just slightly over 71 percent of all registered voters.

But in May 2019, only 6 percent of registered voters in Travis County bothered to vote.
Local elections have the potential to fundamentally change the way Austin operates, and a strong democracy relies on voter participation.