Here are four things to watch this Election Day in Austin and surrounding counties – Austin American-Statesman

Austin American-Statesman

Tuesday is Election Day throughout the state and includes several ballot items specific toAustin and other local jurisdictions. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

Here are fourthings worth watching as the voting unfolds:

Austin voters will on decide Proposition A, ahotly contested measure aimed at requiring the city to hire hundreds more police officers. Supporters pointto two trends from the past two years: an increase in officer retirements that have led to slower response timesand a rise in homicides. The other side says the cost of the staffing planwould require raising taxes, scaling back other city servicesor both.

More: Millions spent on fight over Austin's Prop A, but will voters turn out?

More: Dueling Austin PACs each raise more than $1 million ahead of Prop A vote on police staffing

The second Austin ballot item is Proposition B, which would clear the way for the sale of 9 acres ofparkland the city owns near Lady Bird Lake.The city has a tentative deal in place to give the land to software giant Oracle in exchange for 48 acresin East Austin that Oracle has an option tobuy.Technically, Proposition B might allow for others to make a bid on the city's 9 acres, but the ballot language was written specifically with Oracle in mind. Oracle has donated $900,000 to support the measure.

More: Ballot language raises eyebrows as land swap between Austin, Oracle goes before voters

Voters will weigh in on two bond propositions in fast-growing Williamson County school districts. In Leander, school district officials are seekingapproval for a $772.2 million bond proposal to build five schools, renovate 13 others and make additional upgrades. The Georgetown school district is proposing a bond package of $381.7 million to build two elementary schools, a middle school, and other health and learning centers.

More: Leander school district asking voters to approve $772.3 million in bonds

Voters across the state will decide whether to make eight additions to the Texas Constitution, including twopandemic-inspired measures one to preserve access to loved ones in nursing homesand another barringgovernment ordersthat prohibit or limit religious gatherings. Other proposed amendments wouldchange eligibility requirements for judges, allow a state agency to investigate complaints against judicial candidates, and extend property tax breaks for some Texans.

American-Statesman staff writers Ryan Autullo, Maria Mendez andChuck Lindell

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Here are four things to watch this Election Day in Austin and surrounding counties - Austin American-Statesman