Allen voters overwhelmingly rejected a controversial proposal to extend the city’s term limits for elected officials, with 57 percent voting against Proposition A in Tuesday’s election.
Proposition A would have amended the city’s charter to increase the amount of time mayors and council members can hold office, from 12 to 18 years. It would’ve also increased the number of consecutive three-year terms the elected officials can serve, from two to three.
The city’s current term limits were approved by local voters just two years ago. Before 2019, the city placed no limits on how long an elected official could serve.
Some Allen residents said ads for the new term limits were deceptive.
Signs that read “Vote For Terms Limits, Vote For Proposition A” were seen as misleading voters into thinking the city would not have any term limits unless Proposition A passed.
The signs were paid for by the pro-Proposition A political action committee “Support Term Limits Amendment.”
Local conservative group We The People Allen, which opposed Proposition A, accessed public campaign finance reports to find out who contributed to the PAC. Donors included Allen Mayor Ken Fulk, several former council members and candidates, and two local real estate developers.
Proposition B, a charter amendment to shorten the time city officials must sit out before running again from three years to one year, passed with 61 percent of the vote.
About 13 percent of the city’s voters participated in the election.
School Bond Propositions
Allen residents also rejected two school bond propositions totaling $26.3 million for athletic facility improvements. The new bond debt would’ve had to be repaid, with interest, by local property taxpayers.
Proposition A, listed on the ballot as $15.9 million for “school facilities,” would’ve paid for upgrades to Allen ISD’s tennis courts, activity center, and weight center. The bond failed, with 59 percent voting against.
Proposition B would’ve authorized $7.7 million in new debt to pay for “turf and track improvements to various district athletic stadiums”; 60 percent voted against.
Complete election results can be found on the Collin County Elections website.
