Fort Worth bond, charter election sees low turnout, but results boost progressives' hopes

Fort Worth saw about 4.1% of registered voters participate in Saturday’s election, marking one of the lowest voter turnouts the city has seen in the past decade.

But despite the number of ballots, and the nonpartisan measures on them, progressive activist organizations have used the bond and charter election’s results to bolster hopes for Democratic victories in November.

Voters weighed — and approved — $845 million in bond projects, as well as a measure doubling City Council members’ salaries. Other ballot measures included proposed charter amendments expanding the city manager’s authority and streamlining City Hall procedures, four of which were struck down, and voters in the far north elected a new council member.

But while the ballot was neither low-profile nor inconsequential, the city saw its lowest turnout for a bond and charter election since 2016, when about 4.07% of voters cast ballots on 11 proposed charter amendments.




https://fortworthreport.org/2026/05/04/fort-worth-bond-charter-election-sees-low-turnout-but-results-boost-progressives-hopes/