How is the amendment process in Texas different from that in most other states? Citizens are unable to place constitutional amendments on the ballot because Texas does not have an initiative or referendum system at the statewide level. Texas is one of a small number of states that allows citizens to place constitutional amendments on the ballot through the initiative and referendum system. Constitutional amendments can only be proposed by citizens rather than the state legislature. Citizens are limited to placing only constitutional amendments that apply to property tax exemptions on statewide ballots