Socorro, Ysleta and Tornillo ISD Prop A 2026: What the El Paso School Tax Votes Mean

Last updated: Oct. 28, 2026

Socorro ISD, Ysleta ISD and Tornillo ISD each have a Proposition A on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot asking voters to ratify a school tax rate above the state's voter-approval rate. Socorro ISD's rate would be $1.0505 per $100 of taxable value, which El Paso Matters estimates adds about $160 a year on the district's average $253,800 home. Ysleta ISD's $1.1954 rate is mostly a "penny swap" that El Paso Matters reports would change the average homeowner's bill by about $6 a year. Homeowners in these districts won't get 2026 tax bills until after the election.

What are the Socorro, Ysleta and Tornillo ISD Prop A elections?

Each is a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE. Under Texas law, a school board that adopts a maintenance and operations (M&O) rate above its voter-approval rate must ask voters to ratify it. Each ballot begins with "THIS IS A TAX INCREASE," which state law requires when M&O revenue would rise compared with last year's rate. See the Texas Comptroller's Truth-in-Taxation page for how these limits work.

How much would Socorro ISD Prop A add to my tax bill?

According to the ballot language reported by El Paso Matters and posted on the district's Prop A page, Socorro ISD is asking voters to ratify a rate of $1.0505 per $100. The district's voter-approval rate is 93 cents. The ballot says the rate would raise M&O revenue 18.13%, or $17,341,476, compared with last year.

• El Paso Matters estimates about $160 more a year on the district's average home value of $253,800.
• Homes with a taxable value of $140,000 or less, or $200,000 or less for owners 65 and older or disabled, pay no Socorro ISD school tax either way, thanks to the state homestead exemptions.
• El Paso Matters reports the measure would bring in up to $49.2 million a year for teacher hiring, raises, fine arts, safety, technology and HVAC.
• Socorro ISD voters rejected a similar VATRE last year by about 6 percentage points.

How much would Ysleta ISD Prop A change my bill?

Ysleta ISD's notice of election asks voters to ratify a rate of $1.1954 per $100, above its $1.15 voter-approval rate. The district plans to move 3 cents from its debt (I&S) rate to its M&O rate. Because of that shift, the ballot shows M&O revenue changing by -1.70%, or -$992,296, from last year. El Paso Matters reports the change would bring in about $5.5 million a year.

• El Paso Matters reports that rejecting the measure would lower taxes by about $6 a year on the district's average $211,000 home.
• Ysleta ISD also offers a 20% local homestead exemption. Homes with a taxable value of $175,000 or less, or $250,000 or less for owners 65 and older or disabled, pay no YISD school tax either way. El Paso Matters reports that's about two-thirds of homeowners in the district.

What is Tornillo ISD Prop A?

Tornillo ISD in far east El Paso County is asking voters to approve a rate of $1.20 per $100, above its $1.05 voter-approval rate. El Paso Matters reports the increase would bring in more than $1.5 million a year for school buses that meet new seat belt rules, replacing Tornillo High School's roof and cooling system, and adding shade and grass to its campuses.

Will seniors pay more if these pass?

Texas freezes the school tax on a homestead once the owner is 65 or older or disabled and has that exemption on file. That ceiling generally keeps the school portion of the bill from rising, unless the home is significantly improved. Check that your over-65 or disability exemption is on file with the El Paso Central Appraisal District.

When will I get my 2026 tax bill, and when is it due?

District officials told El Paso Matters that 2026 bills for homeowners in these districts won't be mailed until after the Nov. 3 election. Texas property taxes are generally due by Jan. 31 of the following year. Jan. 31, 2027 falls on a Sunday, so the deadline moves to Monday, Feb. 1, 2027. Confirm the delinquency date printed on your statement. The City of El Paso is holding free sessions explaining 2026 property taxes, according to KFOX14.

Can I protest a school tax rate election?

No. Voters decide the rate. You can't protest it. You can protest the value the El Paso Central Appraisal District puts on your home, and you can make sure every exemption is applied. The 2027 protest deadline is usually May 15. In 2027 that's a Saturday, so the deadline is Monday, May 17, 2027, or 30 days after your notice is delivered, whichever is later. Strong evidence for an informal review or Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing includes sales of similar homes and photos of needed repairs.

For local details, see our El Paso County property tax protest guide and our El Paso property tax protest page. You can file yourself or protest with TaxDrop. Here's how a Texas property tax consultant works.

Sources: El Paso Matters; Socorro ISD Prop A; Ysleta ISD Notice of Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election; KFOX14; Texas Comptroller; Texas Tax Code §§11.26, 26.08, 31.02 and 41.44.