Election Day is Saturday, May 1, 2021
Polls are open from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Early voting runs April 19 – April 27, 2021
Visit VoteTravis.com for polling locations, wait times, sample ballot, and more.

Ballot language

“Shall the City Charter be amended to give the Austin Firefighters Association, Local 975 of the International Association of Fire Fighters, unilateral authority to require the City to participate in binding arbitration of all issues in dispute with the Association if the City and the Association reach impasse in collective bargaining negotiations?”

Ordinance/Charter summary

Approve an ordinance ordering a special municipal election to be held on May 1, 2021 to submit to the voters a proposed citizen-initiated charter amendment, certified sufficient on January 26, 2021, regarding the City’s participation in binding arbitration with the Austin Firefighters Association.

Background

The firefighters are scheduled to begin the bargaining process on their five-year contract in the spring of 2022. Proposition A, if approved, would give the Austin Firefighters Association the ability to require the City to participate in binding arbitration of all issues in dispute with the association, if the City and association reach impasse in collective bargaining negotiations.

Austin Chamber Board position

No recommendation

Ballot language

“Shall an ordinance be adopted that would create a criminal offense and a penalty for sitting or lying down on a public sidewalk or sleeping outdoors in and near the Downtown area and the area around the University of Texas campus; create a criminal offense and penalty for solicitation, defined as requesting money or another thing of value, at specific hours and locations or for solicitation in a public area that is deemed aggressive in manner; create a criminal offense and penalty for camping in any public area not designated by the Parks and Recreation Department?”

Ordinance/Charter summary

Approve an ordinance ordering a special municipal election to be held on May 1, 2021 to submit to the voters a proposed citizen-initiated ordinance, certified sufficient on February 3, 2021, regarding a criminal offense and a penalty for camping in public areas without a permit, certain types of solicitation, and sitting, lying, or sleeping outdoors in certain public areas; providing for the conduct of the special election, including authorizing the City Clerk to enter into joint election agreements with other local political subdivisions as may be necessary for the orderly conduct of the election; and declaring an emergency.

Background

Proposition B was a citizen-led charter amendment submitted by Save Austin Now. If passed, it would reinstate the public order ordinance that was rescinded by Austin City Council in June of 2019.

Austin Chamber Board position

In favor

Ballot language

“Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter, the city council may provide for a director of police oversight who shall be appointed and may be removed as provided by ordinance. The director shall have such duties, responsibilities, and staff as provided by ordinance, including the responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability as it relates to policing.”

Ordinance/Charter summary

Approve an ordinance ordering a special municipal election to be held on May 1, 2021 to submit to the voters a proposed charter amendment to allow city council to provide for a director of police oversight who shall be appointed and removed as provided by future ordinance; providing for the conduct of the special election, including authorizing the City Clerk to enter into joint election agreements with other local political subdivisions as may be necessary for the orderly conduct of the election; and declaring an emergency.

Background

Proposition C was brought to council for action by Councilmember Casar. This would allow city council to provide for a director of police oversight who shall be appointed and removed as outlined by future ordinance. Duties would include ensuring transparency and accountability in the Austin Police Department’s policing. There is currently an Office of Police Oversight, led by Director Farah Muscadin. Proposition C is asking voters to allow City Council the power to appoint the director, removing the City Manager as the direct supervisor.

Austin Chamber Board position

Opposed

Ballot language

“Shall the City Charter be amended to transition the election for mayor from gubernatorial election years to presidential election years, providing that the mayor elected in 2022 will serve a 2-year term and then mayoral elections will occur on the same date as presidential elections starting in 2024?”

Ordinance/Charter summary

Approve an ordinance ordering a special municipal election to be held on a date to be determined to submit to the voters a proposed citizen-initiated charter amendment, certified sufficient on January 26, 2021, regarding changing the date of the mayoral election to concur during presidential general elections.

Background

Proposition D is the first ballot item related to the citizen-led charter amendment brought forth by Austinites for Progressive Reform. In November 2012, Austin voters approved a change in mayoral election cycle from every three years in May (2006, 2009) to every four years in November during Gubernatorial elections (2014, 2018, 2022). If approved, mayoral elections will shift to Presidential elections in November (2024, 2028).

Austin Chamber Board position

No recommendation

Ballot language

“Shall the City Charter be amended to provide for the use of ranked choice voting in city elections, if such voting is permitted by state law?”

Ordinance/Charter summary

Approve an ordinance ordering a special municipal election to be held on a date to be determined to submit to the voters a proposed citizen-initiated charter amendment, certified sufficient on January 26, 2021, regarding ranked choice voting.

Background

Proposition E is the second ballot item related to the citizen-led charter amendment brought forth by Austinites for Progressive Reform. If approved, it must be determined if this method of election is allowed under state law. If allowed, this would eliminate the need for City of Austin runoff elections based on the ranked preference of voters. Voters would rank their preferential order for up to five candidates. This would only apply to City of Austin elections, not local school districts or community college.

Austin Chamber Board position

Opposed

Ballot language

“Shall the City Charter be amended to change the form of city government from ‘council-manager’ to ‘mayor-council,’ which will eliminate the position of city manager and designate an elected mayor as the chief administrative and executive officer of the city with veto power over all legislation?”

Ordinance/Charter summary

Approve an ordinance ordering a special municipal election to be held on a date to be determined to submit to the voters a proposed citizen-initiated charter amendment, certified sufficient on January 26, 2021, regarding changing from a council-manager form of government to a mayor-council form of government that provides for a mayoral veto.

Background

Proposition F is the third ballot item related to the citizen-led charter amendment brought forth by Austinites for Progressive Reform. If approved, City Council would be designated the “legislative body of the city” and the mayor “shall execute the laws and administer the government of the city.” The Mayor would gain veto power and the Council would have opportunity to override vetoes by a super-majority vote. Of large Texas cities, only Houston has a mayor-council form of government.

Austin Chamber Board position

Opposed

Ballot language

“Shall the City Charter be amended to provide for an additional geographic council district which will result in 11 council members elected from single-member districts?”

Ordinance/Charter summary

Approve an ordinance ordering a special municipal election to be held on a date to be determined to submit to the voters a proposed citizen-initiated charter amendment, certified sufficient on January 26, 2021, regarding creating an additional single-member council district.

Background

Proposition G is the fourth ballot item related to the citizen-led charter amendment brought forth by Austinites for Progressive Reform. If approved, the Redistricting Commission will prepare a new district map with all Council districts up for election in November 2022. Prior to voter-approved changes in November 2012, six Austin City Council members and one mayor were all elected at-large. The November 2014 election was the first cycle to elect 10 council members by geographic district. The 11th district has been proposed to maintain an odd number of council members should the mayor-council form of government be approved by voters in May 2021.

The City Council chose to split this item and the Mayor-Council item into two separate ballot items. Therefore, it is possible voters approve Prop F while voting down Prop G, creating a Mayor-Council system and an even-numbered city council (10 members). If the reverse of this situation happens (no on Prop F, yes on prop G), it would also result in an even-number of council members (Mayor + 11 members).

Austin Chamber Board position

Opposed

Ballot language

“Shall the City Charter be amended to adopt a public campaign finance program, which requires the city clerk to provide up to two $25 vouchers to every registered voter who may contribute them to candidates for city office who meet the program requirements?”

Ordinance/Charter summary

Approve an ordinance ordering a special municipal election to be held on a date to be determined to submit to the voters a proposed citizen-initiated charter amendment, certified sufficient on January 26, 2021, regarding changing the voluntary public campaign finance program.

Background

Proposition H is the fifth ballot item related to the citizen-led charter amendment brought forth by Austinites for Progressive Reform. If approved, each registered voter would receive up to two $25 vouchers (one for mayoral election, one for city council election) to assign to a candidate who chooses to participate in the public campaign finance program. It would be limited to $300,000 for mayoral candidates and$75,000 for city council candidates.

Austin Chamber Board position

Opposed