Austin & Travis County 2019 Election Results

At close of early and mail-in voting Friday, Nov. 1, 48,415 Travis Countians – a whopping 6.02% of registered voters – had cast their ballots.

As of mid-afternoon, another 42,000 had cast their ballots today, meaning we're looking at somewhere in the 15-17% total turnout range for this off-year election. We'll be updating this post throughout the evening.

Final update:With all precincts finally accounted for at 3:45 am (!), total turnout was 122,059, or 15.17% percent.

Local Propositions

8:15 pm: Reaction from Jim Wick, campaign manager for PHAM PAC (Palm School, Homelessness, Arts, Music), to the EV totals on City Prop B:

“I’m encouraged by the early results, and really grateful for the community stepping up, especially the music community. We will see what happens as the night goes on, but it’s unlikely results will change. Let’s move forward.”

8:30pm: Mayor Steve Adler reacts to partial EV results:

”I hope the numbers hold. I’m relieved with how this election has gone, and that the city will be able to avoid significant unintended consequences from those propositions. I’m proud of the electorate in Austin — they had the patience to work their way through the haze and confusion generated about these propositions. And one more thing: these propositions cost a lot of money and take a lot of time. I urge everybody, when they sign a petition, to make sure they have all the information that they want and need, and don’t sign a petition just because somebody asks them.”

As to Prop. A (Travis County Expo Center)

“I’m a big fan of the Expo Center, and our community needs that property to have some attention to its needs. I know Travis County wants us to retire our debt early, to make that [Hotel Occupancy Tax] money available, and we’ll need to continue looking at that. That said, we need to look for what’s the best way to fund the improvements, whatever that may be."

8:35pm: Reaction to Prop A EV results from Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt (via text): "Very pleased. But fat lady hasn't sung yet."

9pm: Reaction to EV on Prop A from Pct. 1 Travis County Commissioner Jeff Travillion:

"So far things look positive. I’m cautiously optimistic, but we can’t be certain until the last vote is counted."

10:30pm: And now, Travis County declares victory. Statement from Eckhardt: “Today’s election results prove Travis County residents want to revitalize and energize the Travis County Exposition Center. With this new investment, the Travis County Exposition Center will continue to serve as an anchor institution preserving and celebrating our cultural heritage, generating educational opportunities for our young people and bringing thriving economic development to East Austin and Eastern Travis County. I look forward to working with the City of Austin to determine how soon it will relinquish two percent of the hotel occupancy tax so that Travis County can make the voter-authorized investment in the Exposition Center.”

And from Travillion: “Today is a good day for the East Travis County community. These election results prove voters are ready to invest in our community. While this investment is long overdue, I am optimistic about what a revitalized and energized Travis County Exposition Center can bring to East Travis County.”

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City of Austin Prop A (sports and entertainment venues)
For: 35,642 (36%)
✓Against: 62,529 (64%)

City of Austin Prop B (Convention Center)
For: 39,967 (45%)
✓Against: 48,220 (55%)

Travis County Prop A (Expo Center)
✓For: 74,770 (62%)
Against: 45,089 (38%)

State Constitutional Amendments (Travis County results)

9:25pm: Statewide update -- in case you were wondering, of the 10 Constitutional amendments, nine of 10 are passing, statewide, with 84% of the vote counted. The only exception is Amendment 1, that would allow Municipal Court judges to serve in more than one jurisdiction. That's a practical need especially in many rural counties, who simply don't have enough judges. Too bad, say the voters, who also are really, really sure police service dogs (Amendment 10) should be adoptable on retirement. Constitutionally!

For statewide results, check the Secretary of State website, here:

https://results.texas-election.com/races

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Prop 1 (municipal judges)
✓For: 61,580 (5!%)
Against: 58,351 (49%)

Prop 2 (rural water projects)
✓For: 92,324 (77%)
Against: 28,190 (23%)

Prop 3 (property taxes/disaster areas)
✓For: 84,252 (70%)
Against: 35,567 (30%)

Prop 4 (no state income tax)
For: 54,049 (45%)
✓Against: 66,264 (55%)

Prop 5 (parks funding)
✓For: 109,143 (90%)
Against: 11,779 (10%)

Prop 6 (cancer research)
✓For: 73,311 (62%)
Against: 45,613 (38%)

Prop 7 (school funds)
✓For: 97,579 (81%)
Against: 22,472 (19%)

Prop 8 (flood mitigation)
✓For: 99,684 (83%)
Against: 20,705 (17%)

Prop 9 (precious metals)
For: 37,840 (32%)
✓Against: 79,922 (68%)

Prop 10 (police animals)
✓For: 115,597 (96%)
Against: 5,288 (4%)