City of Austin Proposition I: Independent Affordability and Efficiency Initiative Charter Amendment
My vote power
High
Election date
November 3, 2026
City of Austin Proposition I: Independent Affordability and Efficiency Initiative Charter Amendment is a ballot measure in Austin city, Texas on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Requires the city to hire an outside contractor for a regular Independent Affordability and Efficiency review, and before any tax rate increase election, to find yearly and multi-year savings larger than the contractor's fee. Taxpayers pay for the review; it came from a citizen petition.
How do we calculate my vote power?
What determines the vote power rating for ballot measures: Representation: how much weight one vote carries here compared with a statewide vote — the smaller the district, the more each vote counts. You have more power in ballot measures because you vote directly on the policy.
Representation: Above average · 65 out of 100
This district is a good deal smaller than its state, so each vote here carries more weight than a vote in a statewide race. About 979,539 people live here.
Show the representation math
score = 50 + 50 × ln(state population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(50,000) = 50 + 50 × ln(30,188,424 ÷ 979,539) ÷ ln(50,000) = 65.84, measured against a statewide vote in TX (grades: 66+ high, 55+ above average, 33+ average, otherwise low; a statewide race is the 50 baseline)
Above average representation + a direct vote on the policy → My vote power: High.
What does this measure do?
Requires the city to hire an outside contractor for a regular Independent Affordability and Efficiency review, and before any tax rate increase election, to find yearly and multi-year savings larger than the contractor's fee. Taxpayers pay for the review; it came from a citizen petition.
Read the official ballot measure (PDF)
A YES vote means
The city must commission regular independent efficiency reviews and one before any tax rate election, with savings targets above the review's cost.
A NO vote means
No charter requirement for the outside efficiency review; the city keeps its own audit plans.
Sources: speakupaustin.org · communityimpact.com2
Sources: communityimpact.com2
Last updated September 24, 2026.