In an unexpected turn, Texas voting booths could soon become pivotal in the battle against dementia as early voting commenced this Monday across the state.

Proposition 14, if approved, promises to establish the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. This initiative proposes a significant 10-year commitment, injecting $3 billion into the research of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and various neurological disorders.

Should voters give their nod, the institute would officially begin operations on December 1, marking a landmark moment for state-supported scientific research.