I’ve always considered myself a "common sense" voter. My political views are simple: Stop raising taxes for programs that don't work, stay out of people's private lives unless they are harming others, and lead with basic common sense.
But when I went to vote today, I was reminded that "common sense" is the first thing to fly out the window when you’re faced with a ballot full of constitutional amendments. I left the voting booth more perplexed than any other time in my voting life, wondering what is truly behind the dense, legal language of the issues at stake.
It’s one thing to vote for a person. It’s another entirely to vote "Yes" or "No" on amendments that seem, on the surface, to be stating the obvious.
Take, for example, a few items on the ballot:
"The constitutional amendment affirming that parents are the primary decision makers for their children."
"The constitutional amendment clarifying that a voter must be a United States citizen."
"The constitutional amendment requiring the denial of bail under certain circumstances to persons accused of certain offenses punishable as a felony."
My "common sense" brain kicks in immediately.
Don’t we already believe parents are the primary decision-makers?
Isn’t it already the law that only citizens can vote?
Don’t judges already have the power to deny bail to dangerous individuals?
This is where the perplexity sets in, and this is why the simple act of voting becomes a critical research assignment. What I discovered is that these seemingly simple statements are stand-ins for much larger, more complex issues.
What’s "Behind" the Amendments?
That "parental rights" amendment, for instance, isn't just an affirmation. It’s part of a larger debate about whether parental rights, which are currently protected by case law, should be enshrined in the constitution itself to shield them from future legal challenges or government overreach related to school curricula and medical decisions.
And the "citizen-only voting" amendment? It’s not about state or federal elections—that’s already illegal. It’s a pre-emptive move to constitutionally ban local cities and counties from ever allowing non-citizens to vote in local elections, a practice that a handful of municipalities in other states have adopted.
The "denial of bail" amendment is just as nuanced. It seeks to require judges to deny bail for a specific list of violent or sexual felonies if a prosecutor can prove the person is a danger to the community. Proponents see it as a necessary public safety measure to keep violent offenders off the streets, while opponents argue it undermines the presumption of innocence, jailing people before they’ve even had a trial.
Your Vote Is Your Voice—But Only if You Know What You’re Saying
My simple political views felt completely inadequate in that voting booth. My belief in low taxes and personal liberty was confronted by amendments that could lead to widespread, costly legal battles or expand the power of the state to detain people.
This experience solidified one thing for me: You cannot walk into a voting booth unprepared. You must familiarize yourself with what is on your ballot before you go.
If you don't know what the terms mean, look them up. Understand not just what the amendment says, but what it’s intended to do. Who is for it, who is against it, and why?
Voting is the most fundamental power "We the People" have. But that power is useless if we are uninformed. Don’t let perplexing language confuse you into silence or a random guess. Do your homework.
For my fellow Harris County residents, this link is an excellent, non-partisan resource to see exactly what’s on your specific ballot and find voting locations: https://www.harrisvotes.com/Voter/Whats-on-my-Ballot
Lead with your common sense, but back it up with hard facts. An informed voter is the most powerful force in a community.
