A local look at election day races, Brownsville may dissolve its LGBTQ+ task force

It's election day and voters across the U.S. are casting ballots in key state and local races

Election Day has arrived across the country and in the Rio Grande Valley, bringing voters to the polls to decide key local races and multimillion-dollar bond measures.

🗳️ Polls are open until 7:00 p.m.

Here’s a summarized look at some of the races on the ballot in Hidalgo and Cameron counties.

Local races

In Hidalgo County, Edinburg is choosing a new mayor. PSJA ISD has two bond propositions: $54.3 million for facility upgrades and $5.7 million for performing arts renovations. Alamo voters are selecting a municipal court judge.

In Cameron County, Brownsville ISD also has two bond propositions: $385 million for renovations and $75 million for a new performing arts center. La Feria voters will decide whether to extend mayor and commissioner terms from three to four years.

Several other local offices are on the ballot across the region, including city council and city commission seats.

◆ MyRGV published a more detailed guide on local elections yesterday.

◆ The Advance News Journal published an interview last month with PSJA ISD Superintendent Dr. Alejandro Elias on the PSJA bond propositions.

Constitutional amendments

Voters are also looking at 17 Texas constitutional amendment propositions today. Here are two of the propositions on the ballot.

Proposition 1 creates a permanent fund to modernize and expand Texas State Technical College campuses and equipment, aiming to boost workforce training in high-demand trades and technical fields.

Proposition 14 establishes the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas with $3 billion in funding to support studies and treatment development for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and related brain diseases.

◆ If you haven't already, check out a full guide to the 17 propositions from The Texas Tribune.

Polling locations

• Hidalgo County polling locations
• Cameron County polling locations
• Starr County polling locations
• Willacy County polling locations

◆ ValleyCentral also published a user-friendly lookup page for local polling locations.

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The Brownsville City Commission will Vote Tuesday on possibly dissolving the local LGBTQ+ Task Force

The Brownsville City Commission is scheduled to vote Tuesday evening on a resolution that would dissolve the city’s LGBTQ+ Task Force, a volunteer advisory group created in 2019 to recommend policies supporting equality and inclusion.

City documents describe the task force as having met its objectives, citing its role in helping pass the 2022 Fair Practices Ordinance and improving Brownsville’s Municipal Equality Index score. The city said in its agenda materials on the vote that the "objectives for which the LGBTQ+ Task Force was created have been substantially achieved, and it is now appropriate to formally conclude its work."

However, some residents say they are confused by the move, questioning why the task force would be disbanded amid ongoing community needs.

“No one is asking the city of Brownsville to dismantle the task force,” José Colón-Uvalles, a community organizer and former task force member, posted on social media this week. “This is coming simply as a proactive measure to prevent any pushback from, I’m guessing, Abbott, the governor of Texas, and the current Trump regime.”

Local LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations and supportive community members have been posting on social media for several days, asking for residents to show up to give their comments on the vote.

The City of Brownsville said on Tuesday morning that it is still preparing a response to a request for comment from Across The Americas.

Residents who want to submit comments before the vote must register on the city's public comment registration form at least an hour before the meeting.

🗓️ The Brownsville City Commission will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, in the Commission Chambers at City Hall, 1001 E. Elizabeth St. The meeting will stream live on the city’s YouTube channel.

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