On the November 5, 2024 Ballot which would amend the City of Dallas Charter
The 21 propositions on this November ballot are due to a state requirement that every city charter must be reviewed for changes or updates deemed necessary every ten years. Such a requirement seems reasonable, considering how fast our world is changing.
The Texas Constitution also requires that “no city charter shall be altered, amended or repealed oftener than every two years.” This also seems a reasonable restriction, protecting the voter from incessant changes.
In the event that any single one of these propositions is approved by voters, the charter is deemed amended and cannot be altered or amended again until November 2026. But, if none of these propositions is approved this November, the charter has not been altered, so these propositions can be placed on the ballot again in May 2025.
Knowledgeable voters recognize that a November presidential election will receive the greatest turnout, while a May municipal election traditionally receives much lower voter turnout. Lower turnout means it is easier for a faction to win, by mobilizing its base.
The biggest concern here is that a push by conservative groups to vote no on all of these propositions means the charter has not been amended, and the most egregious of the propositions can reappear on the ballot next May. Therefore, at least one of these propositions needs to pass.
Many of these propositions are technical alterations, and others are fiscal. Each proposition is reviewed below. Fiscal issues are really personal decisions. Should more money be spent to retain and attract municipal workers and improve city services, or are taxes too high? Technical issues are more closely examined.
Recommendations from Robert Franklin, Government Professor
Please refer to the specific discussion of each Proposition for explanation and reason for recommendation.
Proposition Topic policy/fiscal yes/no
A Employee Retirement Fund fiscal yes
B Preamble policy no
C Pay Increase for Mayor/Counsel fiscal yes
D Election Date Change policy yes
E Term Limits policy yes
F Definitions technical yes
G Redistricting Commission policy yes
H Commission Eligibility policy yes
I Initiative Procedures policy yes
J Removal of city commissioners policy no
K removed from ballot
L Office of Inspector General policy no
M removed from ballot
N removed from ballot
O Municipal Judges policy no
P Discharged Employees policy yes
Q Technical changes policy yes
R Marijuana policy yes
S Right to Sue City policy no
T Annual Surveys policy no
U Police Funding Proposal fiscal/policy no