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The Texas Constitution also requires that “no city charter shall be altered, amended or repealed oftener than every two years.”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