Travis County elections officials estimate only about 25% of registered voters will cast a ballot this fall, keeping with the trend of lower voter turnout on off-year elections. But, that doesn’t mean there aren’t important issues to weigh in on. This guide is here to help inform you about what is on your ballot and […]
Elections
Posted inLocal Politics
Austin faces a 30-day deadline to remove its Pride crosswalk, ‘Black Artists Matter’ roadway art
Austin’s roadway art, including the rainbow crosswalk at Fourth and Colorado streets and the “Black Artists Matter” painted on 11th Street could soon be gone. Gov. Greg Abbott ordered cities and counties Wednesday to remove displays like these or risk losing state and federal money for road projects. He said this order will comply with a federal […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Proposition Q campaigns heat up on both sides
In an expensive city like Austin, it’s a tough time to raise property taxes — especially on top of rising gas bills and a county tax hike to fund disaster relief for the July floods. Yet that is what the City is asking the voters to approve this November in order to help make up […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Residents back tax hike for 2026 bond projects, survey shows
More than two-thirds of Austin residents say they’re willing to support a tax increase to fund the city’s next bond package, with housing, transportation, and parks emerging as the most widely shared priorities among the 2,002 people who responded to a recent public survey. Those findings were presented at Monday’s meeting of the Bond Election […]
Posted inElections
Campaign finance reports show incumbents gathering funds
With the exception of District 1 Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison, incumbents who may run for re-election in 2026 have been gathering funds for possible races. That includes Council Members Ryan Alter (District 5), Zo Qadri (District 9) and Paige Ellis (District 8). Ellis has already indicated that she will be gathering signatures to put her […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
With cap of $687M, bond task force to weigh $4.4B in city needs
Over this summer, the Bond Election Advisory Task Force will begin to evaluate a narrowed list of capital needs for the City of Austin’s 2026 bond election, following the delivery of a $4.4 billion needs assessment from city staff later this month. The task force, which has met regularly since October 2024, will begin reviewing […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
New libraries, parks, health centers among facilities eyed for 2026 bond proposal
Up to four new libraries, more neighborhood health centers, and a host of new park properties and recreation centers are among the facilities being considered for the city’s next bond election that will likely take place in 2026. Representatives from three city departments presented their bond project goals and plans this week to the city’s […]
Posted inElections
Ethics commissioners vote to hear campaign finance complaints from D7 election
The Ethics Review Commission voted unanimously this week to advance two campaign finance complaints to final hearings, determining that there are reasonable grounds to believe that violations of the city’s campaign finance rules may have occurred during a recent City Council election. Both complaints were filed by local advocate Adam Haynes and center on activities […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Austin Animal Services Office begins developing bond package for 2026 vote
The Austin Animal Services Office is in early stages of developing its future bond package. The complete package for all participating city departments will be presented to voters in 2026. In the meantime, the department is working through a process that will determine how its bond requests take shape. Each department participating in the bond […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Austin Public Health staff to seek more bond money
Austin Public Health facilities are funded through bonds approved by Austin voters – and only through those bonds. If the city health department needs a new facility, it must convince members of a bond advisory committee to put the proposition on a ballot. Then enough voters must be convinced of the need for such a […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Rally Austin eyes affordability programs for creatives in 2026 bond package
Rally Austin, the nonprofit tasked with helping to preserve and expand Austin’s cultural spaces, is eyeing three programs in the city’s upcoming 2026 bond election, including expanding the city’s cultural trust. During a recent meeting of the Austin Music Commission, organization leaders delivered information from its annual report that included a look at plans to […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Parks and Recreation Department contemplates a 2026 bond, two years overdue
Austin Parks and Recreation Department is in the process of developing its 2026 integrated bond, with the last one created eight years ago for a 2018 bond election. These bonds fund capital improvement projects for parks and recreation, including building new parks, improving existing parks, and acquiring land. The Parks and Recreation Board heard a […]