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November 2, 2009

Polls open today for constitutional election



By Sherry Koonce

The News staff writer

Voters will go to the polls today to determine the fate of 11 proposed amendments to the state’s constitution.

Polls are open from 7 a.m until 7 p.m.

Based on early voting totals, election-day turnout could be light.

“Certainly we hope everyone comes out to vote, but if early voting is any indication, turnout will be light,” Theresa Goodness, chief deputy with the Jefferson County Clerk’s office, said.

Typically, when there are no candidates on the ballot, fewer people vote, she said.

At the close of early voting Friday, 2,929 ballots were cast. Of those, 74 were returned by mail.

The all-constitutional ballot includes Proposition No. 2 which would change the way a residence homestead is taxed.

This amendment authorizes the legislature to require that a residence be appraised only on the basis of the property’s value as a residence, and not on it’s proximity to potentially more valuable commercial property.

In other tax-related issues, Proposition No. 3 provides for uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes.

The proposition would require adoption of uniform standards across the state for property tax appraisals, instead of the county where the tax is imposed.

Other proposed amendments deal with issues that would affect military bases, the Veterans Land Board, funding for national research unversities, appraisal district boards, public beach protections, emergency services district governing boards and governmental eminent domain authority.

skoonce@panews.com

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