UNDERRATED SONGS FOR AN UNDERRATED ELECTION
A musical voter guide by MOVE Texas
The proposed Texas Constitutional Amendments are the deep cuts of democracy.
Wait–hear us out; we’re onto something here!
Like your favorite b-side tracks, just because these propositions don't get as much air time doesn't mean they aren't bangers.
And just like how true fans know the whole album, engaging with these proposed changes to our state Constitution earns you some serious voter street cred.
"Oh you voted in the Presidential? That's nice, but I'm also running shit on a state level."
-You, sometime later today after reading this voter guide
We’ll give you the proposition’s original language, a song pairing and justification, an explanation of the proposed amendment, and an idea of the arguments for and against it. There’s only eight, so it won’t take long.
And then throw in your airpods, turn up the playlist, and VOTE, dammit.
Early Voting: Monday, October 18– Friday, October 29;
Election Day: Tuesday, November 2.
Curated by MOVE Texas, this deep cut voter guide is for everyone– dedicated election fans, music lovers, and voters who just decided to get into the local electoral game.
PROPOSITION 1
The constitutional amendment authorizing the professional sports team charitable foundations of organizations sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association or the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association to conduct charitable raffles at rodeo venues.
DEEP CUT: Cowboy Dan, Modest Mouse, The Lonesome Crowded West
Proponents for this amendment include rodeo organizers (yee haw™) seeking to establish new ways of generating charitable funds during their events.
Opponents say since gambling is largely illegal in Texas, this would serve to introduce the practice in the state, and could potentially set the stage for the further expansion of gambling in the future.
DEEP CUT CRED: Most widely known for their 2004 hit “Float On”, Modest Mouse hails from Issaquah, Washington. This track comes from their 1997 breakout album, “The Lonesome Crowded West”. On this album, lyricist Isaac Brock philosophizes about strip malls, parking lots, while his stance on gambling at the rodeo, remarkably remains unstated!
PROPOSITION 2
The constitutional amendment authorizing a county to finance the development or redevelopment of transportation or infrastructure in unproductive, underdeveloped, or blighted areas in the county.
DEEP CUT: Redevelopment, Home Counties
DEEP CUT CRED: Bristol based post-punk band Home Counties (formerly known as Haze) released their debut EP “Redevelopment” in September of 2020. The song of the same name talks about the role that the government can play in facilitating gentrification by incentivizing the development of luxury apartments. Luckily for us, this amendment is intended to help fund public goods for public use, not “redevelopment” and private money driven transformation of the places we live.
Details: Texas is facing an infrastructure crisis, where many buildings, roads, bridges, grids, homes and more are in need of repair and retrofitting.
Proponents of this amendment say financing these projects has been a tremendous challenge for local and state governments who often lack the necessary funds to carry out this work, so this amendment would give localities more bond options to fund projects.
Opponents of this amendment argue this is an issue that should be the responsibility of the federal government to resolve, namely by providing mass infrastructure funding.
PROPOSITION 3
The constitutional amendment to prohibit this state or a political subdivision of this state from prohibiting or limiting religious services of religious organizations.
DEEP CUT: Jesus From Texas, Semler, Preacher’s Kid
This proposition, perhaps the most controversial one on the ballot, is over the question and limits of religious freedom.
Supporters for this amendment argue that religious activity is constitutionally protected and should not be limited by the state.
Opponents, however, argue that public safety is an important collective responsibility and that providing this exemption would give rise to religious extremism as well as growing health concerns raised during the pandemic.
DEEP CUT CRED: First of all, Jesus From Texas? Iconic title. Just as this proposition is controversial as hell, so is this song. Semler uses this song to work through the trauma of being the queer child of a preacher and the teachings from an evangelical home in Texas. When it comes to this proposition, think back to Semler singing, “And I think about that now down the ballot, of the ones I love and I don't know yet, I voted for you.”
PROPOSITION 4
The constitutional amendment changing the eligibility requirements for a justice of the supreme court, a judge of the court of criminal appeals, a justice of a court of appeals, and a district judge.
DEEP CUT: Poetic Justice, Kendrick Lamar (feat. Drake), good kid, m.A.A.d city
DEEP CUT CRED: Oh the philosophical and Pulitzer Prize-winning Kendrick Lamar. He’s been regarded as one of the most influential rappers of his generation and this collab with Drake, THE Drake, is truly a masterpiece that reminds us to think about the qualifications to administer justice in our own m.A.A.d cities.
The changes of proposition 4’s eligibility requirement for state judiciary positions mainly involve requiring candidates to be residents of Texas, and extending the number of years they have been practicing law specifically within the state.
Proponents argue this would boost homegrown candidates who better understand the dynamics of Texas’ judicial system.
Opponents say this severely limits the pool of qualifying candidates for these positions.
PROPOSITION 5
The constitutional amendment providing additional powers to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct with respect to candidates for judicial office.
DEEP CUT: Don’t Judge Me, Janelle Monae, Dirty Computer
On the one hand, this would allow the state to investigate and discipline candidates for judicial offices which engage in misconduct, whereas currently they can only really do so with sitting judges.
On the other hand, critics would say this would enable the state to engage in intimidatory practices against otherwise innocent candidates.
DEEP CUT CRED: Even though you tell me you love me, I'm afraid that you just love my disguise. Too real, Monae, too real. Just like Janelle sings of the questions she faces, there will be a whole lot more judging of candidates to be judges should this amendment become part of the constitution. Janelle Monae herself is a deep cut that does not get the radio play of other pop girlies like she deserves. It was only until Dirty Computer came out that we saw them more in the forefront of pop music.
PROPOSITION 6
The constitutional amendment establishing a right for residents of certain facilities to designate an essential caregiver for in-person visitation.
DEEP CUT: Take Care, Drake (feat. Rihanna), Take Care
DEEP CUT CRED: Is this a deep cut? Maybe not. Is it perfect? Very Much Yes. So just take us back to the Take Care era before the Canadian Rapper’s heartfelt but uncomfortable VMA speech dedicated to our Caribbean Queen. Drake released his sixth studio album this year once again indicating that he is indeed a Certified Lover Boy. Now Little Miss Sunshine, Rihanna, where you at?
This proposition responds to many nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, or state-supported living centers, which limited in-person visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic as safety precautions. This proposition would therefore allow these residents to have a right to being visited by their designated caregivers.
Some argue this is a good thing since many residents cited significant impacts on their physical and mental well-being, especially those with memory or cognitive challenges.
Opponents would argue this amendment would restrict facilities from maintaining safe environments in their communities by no longer being able to implement certain safety protocols.
PROPOSITION 7
The constitutional amendment to allow the surviving spouse of a person who is disabled to receive a limitation on the school district ad valorem taxes on the spouse’s residence homestead if the spouse is 55 years of age or older at the time of the person’s death.
DEEP CUT: The Widow, The Mars Volta
This proposition seeks to lessen the tax burden placed upon individuals with a disability and their marital partners by limiting school taxes they are expected to pay following the death of that partner.
Proponents say this measure represents targeted relief to those who already experience the economic hardships associated with living with disability.
Opponents say that tax relief of this kind lessens government revenues the state of Texas can use to pay for things.
DEEP CUT CRED: “The Widow” is the lead single from El Paso hometown heroes The Mars Volta’s 2005 album “Frances the Mute.” This song features one helluva trumpet solo by Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist, Flea. The eary song talks about the burden of those left behind when a friend passes away, just like the financial tax burdens on folks after a loved one dies.
PROPOSITION 8
The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a member of the armed services of the United States who is killed or fatally injured in the line of duty.
DEEP CUT: Soldier, Erykah Badu, New Amerykah, Pt. 1
DEEP CUT CRED: Erykah Badu, the pride and joy of Dallas, Texas. This album was her first after a 5-year hiatus, and she came through with an incredible DIY-built record accepting production from the likes of Q-Tip and J Dilla and recording her vocals on GarageBand. She’s so cool it hurts. Soldier is a single that highlights the Black experience and tries to outline “the real America,” because just as this proposition’s purpose shows us, it ain’t all roses and rainbows over here.
This proposition seeks to lessen the tax burden placed upon members of the military and their surviving spouses in the event of being killed in the line of duty.
Proponents say this measure represents targeted relief and honors to those who serve the country and lose their lives.
Opponents say that tax relief of this kind lessens government revenues the state of Texas can use to pay for things.