Proposition 17
Constitutional Amendment Election
Campaign to provide UT and A&M more money from the Permanent University Fund

BACKGROUND
Arnold Public Affairs was hired to manage a constitutional amendment campaign authorizing the increase in the distribution of funds from the Permanent University Fund (PUF) to the University of Texas System and the Texas A&M University System after Texas lawmakers passed legislation to allow such an increase. The change in the PUF distribution required voter approval and Proposition 17 was put on the ballot in November 1999.

CHALLENGE
The challenge, as with any constitutional amendment was to both educate and motivate voters to come to the polls in an off year election.

ACTION PLAN
Arnold Public Affairs led a team of professionals including Public Strategies, Inc. which handled design and graphics for the mail program and Baselice & Associates, which conducted a statewide poll in early September. One key advantage was both universities had very active alumni bases and the passage of the amendment would directly benefit these universities. As a result, the campaign was able to mobilize the alumni groups to raise money

Arnold Public Affairs developed a timeline and budget and implemented a plan that encompassed a full scale, three month statewide campaign consisting of the following:

• List collection and targeting
• Statewide polling
• Editorial board visits by top executives of the universities
• Dissemination of information through alumni channels - email and magazines
• Voter registration efforts led by student groups
• Mail pieces to targeted voters
• Production of op-ed pieces for members of the two boards of regents
• Telephone identification and get out the vote activities

RESULTS

As a result of these efforts, Proposition 17 passed by a 22 point margin, 61% to 39%.

Direct Mail pieces for UT-Texas A&M Constitutional Amendment campaign

 UT-TAMU Constitutional Amendment