Live From Election Day: Austin voters sound off at the polls

Austin, Texas – Today, many residents are heading to the polls across town to cast their votes in the local and state special election.

A large voting sign stands outside a polling location on the University of Texas campus in Austin, Texas.
A large voting sign stands outside a polling location on the University of Texas campus in Austin, Texas.  © Taylor Kamnetz

For this special election, there are two local measures on the ballot in addition to eight state propositions.

Locally, Austin residents will be voting for or against Proposition A, which aims to increase the number of police in the city, and Proposition B, which relates to the potential sale of city land in trade of parkland.

But of the two, it's Prop A that's been making waves and driving people to the polls.

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Anyone who's driven through Austin over the last several months has likely seen signs or billboards with the phrase, "No Way on Prop A", plastered across them, along with a blurb that reads, "Protect Austin Parks and Libraries!"

Prop A was placed on the special election ballot thanks to a self-proclaimed bipartisan political action committee (PAC) called Save Austin Now, which garnered enough signatures needed to get the measure in front of voters.

According to its website, Prop A will beef up police presence in the city, and in turn, make the city a safer place at the cost of somewhere between $54.3 million to $119.8 million per year.

However, University Democrats member and local voter Eleanor Walter doesn't believe this to be true. When asked why she was against Prop A, Walter told TAG24 News, "It's just an overall net loss for the city of Austin. Studies show that more cops isn't gonna help us."

She continued, "What's gonna help us is having a strong social program. Part of that is keeping parks, and that space for people, and keeping EMS funded. You can't have a well-run city without funding all of these things that are necessary for our community to grow and thrive."

Save Austin Now has not said how this will be funded, but opponents of the proposition argue that tax dollars will be taken from other city services – such as parks, EMS, libraries, and mental health specialists – to fund the increase of law enforcement.

Prop A stands out amongst Austin voters

Signs for and against Prop A were placed outside a polling location in Austin, Texas.
Signs for and against Prop A were placed outside a polling location in Austin, Texas.  © Taylor Kamnetz

The wariness residents seem to have towards Prop A was on full display at the polls.

Austin transplant Mari Jones (44) said she's lived in the city for just under five years. In her opinion, those campaigning for Prop A left out too many details in their plan to win her vote.

"I came to vote because the city is changing, but not all changes are good. I wanted to share my voice on what I think is wrong, and what I think is right."

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When asked if she was referring to a specific measure on the ballot that she thought was wrong, Jones simply said, "When you make harsh claims like Prop A does, there must be something that proves the claims are true, and that is what I have struggled to find – truth."

Proponents of Prop A, like Save Austin Now, have argued that if passed, the measure would make the city safer by putting police officers on the streets rather than behind desks.

But those opposing the proposition, such as the PAC No Way on Prop A, have referred to it as a wolf in sheep's clothing, and another way for money to be funneled into the police department.

At an East Austin polling location, Austin Community College student Caleb Thompson (21) told TAG24 News he specifically came out to vote no on Prop A.

"I’ve had it with the lies and deceit. If you want to trickle money into the police department, figure out how to do that without grotesque lies," Thompson said.

Polls in the Austin area are open until 7 PM CST, meaning as long as you are in line by 7 PM, you'll be able to cast your vote.

Cover photo: Taylor Kamnetz

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