TEXAS, USA — East Texans to vote on several issues including the biggest property tax cut in Texas history on Election Day.
Early voting has started and East Texans are hitting the polls. A popular proposition on the ballot is Proposition 4, which establishes a 20% limit on property value.
"Even if the market value goes up, 30%, they will be limited to a 20% increase, which would save the current owner some money. If that holds and works out, well, that could eventually maybe help lower the rent fees for taxes also," said Michelle Terry, Gregg County tax assessor.
The taxable value for a homeowner’s homestead will be $60,000 less than it is now.
Terry said if your homestead value is less than $100,000 then you won’t get a school tax bill. And people will see about a $700 decrease in their tax amount.
East Texans may have noticed a difference in their bills already, with a higher exemption on their property tax rate, and a lower dollar amount. To make sure their bill stays the same, locals are casting their vote.
"This proposition is the first time in a long time that they've had the opportunity to see a decrease in their actual tax amount," Terry said. "This is helpful for homeowners, so people want to get their voice heard."
The Gregg County Elections Administrator Jennifer Briggs said they’ve seen a bigger turnout this election than before.
"For a constitutional amendment election, we had on the first day 436 people. But two years ago, in 2021, we only had 122 people," Briggs said.
Early voting ends on Nov. 3 and Election Day will be on Nov. 7.