| Proposition 8 | |
| Four Year Term Of Office For Governor and Other State Officers | |
| Yes: | 1,466,291 |
| No: | 1,167,034 |
| Total: | 2,633,325 |
| Country: | Texas |
Proposition 8 was a referendum for a state constitutional amendment placed on the ballot by the Texas legislature and approved by the voters at the November 7, 1972 general election. The measure amended sections 4, 22, and 23 of the Texas Constitution, changing the length of the terms of statewide elected offices in Texas from two years to four years.[1]
Source:[2]
As provided in Article 17, Section 1 of the Texas Constitution,[3] a proposed constitutional amendment is placed on the ballot only after the Texas legislature has proposed the amendment in a joint resolution of both the Texas senate and the Texas house of representatives. The joint resolution may originate in either chamber. The resolution must be adopted by a vote of at least two-thirds of the membership of each chamber. That means a minimum of 100 votes in the house and 21 votes in the senate.
On April 14, 1971, the Senate voted 22 in favor and 7 against the proposed amendment. On May 31, the House voted 109 in favor and 38 against the proposed amendment, and the ballot was set for November 7.
Proposition 8 passed with 55.7% of the vote, making the amendment valid in the Texas Constitution.[4] In 1974, Governor Dolph Briscoe was elected to the first four-year term for a Governor of Texas.
Before the passage of Proposition 8, no Texas governor had ever served more than 6 years in office. After its passage, three Texas governors broke that record, with Bill Clements serving eight, Rick Perry serving fourteen, and incumbent Governor Greg Abbott expected to serve at least twelve, and possibly more if he chooses to run for re-election in 2026 and wins.