The May 6 election made it clear: Austin is ready to dramatically expand civilian oversight of police.
Equity Action organizer Kathy Mitchell and others celebrate during the Props A and B Election Day Results Watch Party at Lustre Pearl on May 6.
With about 78,000 voters turning out for the May 6 election on two police oversight propositions with the same name , the progressive Prop A got approval from a resounding 70% of voters, per unofficial voting numbers. Prop B, which copy-pasted language from Prop A and then edited it to reduce oversight powers, received support from only 20% of voters.
As we observed from early voting numbers, turnout overall was not spectacular. In 2021, when a GOP-aligned PAC Save Austin Now was able to get a measure on the ballot to increase police staffing, roughly twice as many people cast a vote . A little more than 10% of Austin voters showed up this election, which is not atypical for a May election without high profile offices on the ballot.
Still, the passage of Prop A – which seeks to grant the Office of Police Oversight a whole lot of freedoms, including greater access to Austin Police Department’s internal affairs investigations – marks a huge stride for the city, and possibly the beginning of litigation over the legality of some of the measure’s language. If a court does eventually throw certain elements of the measure out, the undisputed parts of the ordinance will still stand.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Election results: Voters overwhelmingly support civilian oversight of Austin policeAustin voters have decided the future of police oversight at the Austin Police Department. Proposition A, which would expand oversight cruised to victory — 70% of voters supported the measure, according to unofficial voting numbers.
Read more »
Election results: Early vote totals show strong support for civilian oversight of Austin policeProposition A, which would expand police oversight in Austin, had an immense lead in early voting results — 80% of early voters supported the measure.
Read more »
Austin voters pass Prop A, do not pass Prop BBoth propositions deal with oversight of Austin police, with Prop A using language that civilian oversight will 'deter police misconduct and brutality,' essentially strengthening its oversight compared to Prop B.
Read more »
Early Election Results Show Austin Voters Overwhelmingly Vote for Prop AAUSTIN, Texas -- Voting results from the City of Austin show voters overwhelmingly chose Prop A - which would allow anonymous complaints to the city's Office of
Read more »