The Daily Record is running a Texas Tribune series outlining each of the 17 state-wide constitutional amendments on the Nov. 4 ballot. The series will include two of these overviews in every issue until early voting begins on Oct. 20.
Proposition 15 (SJR 34): Codifying parental rights
The ballot language: “The constitutional amendment affirming that parents are the primary decision makers for their children.”
What it means: This proposal would include parental rights, as currently outlined out in federal case law, in the Texas Constitution. The intent of the amendment is to protect parental rights since “case law can change and disappear over time with the appointment of new judges,” according to an analysis of the legislation.
The constitution would be amended to include the following: “Provides that, to enshrine truths that are deeply rooted in this nation’s history and traditions, the people of Texas hereby affirm that a parent has the responsibility to nurture and protect the parent’s child and the corresponding fundamental right to exercise care, custody, and control of the parent’s child, including the right to make decisions concerning the child’s upbringing.”
Some questions were raised during legislative discussions about how the proposal would ensure children’s voices are also heard.
Proposition 16 (SJR 37): Clarifying citizenship requirement for voters
The ballot language: “The constitutional amendment clarifying that a voter must be a United States citizen.”
What it means: This amendment would add language to the Texas Constitution to explicitly say that “persons who are not citizens of the United States” cannot vote in the state. Though U.S. citizenship is already required to register to vote in Texas, this amendment aims to prevent local governments in Texas from allowing local residents who are not citizens to vote in local elections and comes in response to other states passing such policies, according to analysis of the legislation.
Critics of the measure said it is redundant and unnecessary.
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune. org/2025/09/22/texa s-statewide-propositionsnovember- ballot-election/.
The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
