Texas Voters Approve Amendments to Ban Noncitizens From Voting, Affirming Parental Rights

Texas voters approved several key constitutional amendments that ban noncitizens from voting, codify parental rights, and protect future generations from an inheritance tax. The three propositions—16, 15, and 8—were part of 17 ballot measures to change the Texas Constitution that voters considered on Nov. 4. Proposition 16, “clarifying that a voter must be a United States citizen,” grabbed the most voter interest. The measure passed overwhelmingly with 75 percent voting in favor. Likewise, Proposition 15, “affirming that parents are the primary decision makers for their children,” was popular among Texas voters, with 71 percent voting to approve the measure. U.S. citizenship is required to register to vote in Texas, but Proposition 16 will prohibit local governments from allowing foreign nationals to vote in local elections. The measure follows similar legislation passed in other Republican-led states such as Arizona, Louisiana, and Ohio....