On November 4th, 2025, numerous elections were held across Texas, providing voters with an opportunity to let their voices be heard on tax and spending measures. While the data is still coming in, there are some indications that voters were in no mood for reckless tax increases or growing government unnecessarily.
One such indication comes courtesy of the Texas Tribune, who recently observed that:
Voters across the state shot down bids by school districts and cities to increase funds to hire teachers and police officers, pave roads and keep schools humming. More than half of those [voter-approval tax rate elections (VATREs)] failed in Tuesday’s elections, according to a Texas Tribune analysis. [emphasis mine]
Two examples of these failed VATREs were the measures pushed by the Hays Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) and the city of Austin.
Hays CISD: Proposition A
In Hays CISD’s case, voters were asked “to consider a 12-cent maintenance and operations tax rate increase, bringing the total district tax rate to one that is higher than the last two previous fiscal years,” according to the district’s website. The cost of this measure was significant too. One estimate suggested that, had it been approved, “the proposed 12-cent tax rate increase would add about $480 a year in school district taxes” for the average area homeowner.
Hays CISD voters—many of whom relocated to the area to seek refuge from Austin’s high-tax environment—overwhelmingly rejected the massive proposed tax hike, with only 38.8% of the electorate showing support.
City of Austin: Proposition Q
In Austin, city officials asked voters to support increasing property tax rates from $0.4776 per $100 valuation to $0.574017 per $100 valuation, which represents a 20.2% rate hike. The measure was estimated to have “cost the average Austin homeowner about $300 a year.” Presumably, this tax increase would have been in addition to the existing tax burden borne by the average Travis County homeowner of $10,823.
At the polls, Austinites overwhelmingly rejected the measure, with 63.31% of voters deciding against.
Of course, this is not to suggest that all VATREs were rejected. Some, like the cluster in North Texas, were met with much approval. But a considerable number were shot down.
Likewise, bond elections also encountered a great deal of turbulence this election cycle.
While the Texas Bond Review Board (BRB) is still updating its Bond Election Database as of November 24, 2025, an early reading of the data suggests that of the 484 total elections held, 195 propositions were passed, 94 propositions were defeated, and the status of 195 propositions remains unknown, to the BRB at least.
To illustrate some of these larger trends, here are a few elections in the spotlight:
Magnolia ISD: Propositions A – C
In Magnolia Independent School District, voters “opposed” all three of the district’s bond propositions, which were valued at $516.9 million. The results were only close in one contest (Proposition A). The results were as follows:
- Proposition A, new high school, elementary schools, land acquisition, and more: FOR – 49.43%, AGAINST – 50.57%;
- Proposition B, multipurpose facilities for extracurricular activities: FOR – 41.13%, AGAINST – 58.87%; and
- Proposition C, a second natatorium: FOR – 39.53%; AGAINST – 60.47%.
Friendswood ISD: Propositions A – D
In Friendswood ISD, the district offered up four bond proposals totaling $165 million. Each of those four proposals failed to pass, with the results as follows:
- Proposition A, covering construction of new school buildings and renovations to existing ones: FOR – 39.3%, AGAINST – 60.70%;
- Proposition B, covering the purchase of new tablets and computers: FOR – 41.67%, AGAINST – 58.3%;
- Proposition C, covering the construction and renovation of athletic and recreational facilities: FOR – 33.73%, AGAINST – 66.27%; and
- Proposition D, covering the refunding and refinancing of the district’s tax notes: FOR – 38.3%, AGAINST – 61.70%.
Belton ISD: Propositions A – D
Belton ISD likewise called for an election over bonds totaling $161.8 million. Of the four bond proposals, only one (Proposition C) passed 52.85% to 47.15%, which called for technology upgrades and new student devices such as laptops and tablets (it cost $6 million). Of the remaining defeated, here are the exact results:
- Proposition A, which covered general infrastructure costs on three existing schools and costing $92.9 million, failed 50.48% to 49.52%.
- Proposition B, which covered the construction of a new football stadium and renovations to two existing ones costing $43.7 million, failed 62.04% to 37.96%.
- Proposition D, which covered a swim center and cost $19.2 million, failed 57.88% to 42.12%.
All things considered, Texas voters appeared much more sensitive to affordability concerns this election cycle and voted accordingly, resulting in the defeat of countless tax and spending measures. Whether this is a one-off or part of a long-term trend is yet to be seen. But one thing is clear—governments wanting to raise taxes and borrow more better have good cause to do so and be prepared to make a convincing case. Or risk the consequences.
