INSIDER
Brazos County election officials feel the strain of unrelenting scrutiny from right-wing skeptics
Read full article: Brazos County election officials feel the strain of unrelenting scrutiny from right-wing skepticsVoting went well in the presidential election, but Trudy Hancock and her staff are still fielding questions. And the answers don’t seem to matter.
How to stay politically engaged in between election cycles
Read full article: How to stay politically engaged in between election cyclesFrom engaging with representatives to joining advocacy groups, there are numerous ways to continue participating in democracy and shaping policy after the polls close.
Election Day updates: South Texas continues dramatic shift toward Donald Trump, GOP
Read full article: Election Day updates: South Texas continues dramatic shift toward Donald Trump, GOPTexas might not be a swing state, but many of its races will have major consequences to the national political landscape and on the lives of everyday Texans.
9 million Texans voted early in 2024. Here’s how that compares to previous years.
Read full article: 9 million Texans voted early in 2024. Here’s how that compares to previous years.The turnout rate dropped more than 8 percentage points compared to four years ago — a high-water mark for the Lone Star State.
Texas withdraws request to block U.S. Justice Department from monitoring state’s elections
Read full article: Texas withdraws request to block U.S. Justice Department from monitoring state’s electionsThe federal agency agreed their monitors would remain outside polling locations and wouldn’t interfere with voting.
When will Texas election results come in? Here’s how the process unfolds.
Read full article: When will Texas election results come in? Here’s how the process unfolds.By state law, Election Day totals must be submitted to the state within 24 hours after polls close. Meeting that deadline requires careful but quick work.
In South Texas, university students accuse Democratic county officials of suppressing their votes
Read full article: In South Texas, university students accuse Democratic county officials of suppressing their votesThe county decided to not have an early voting site at a Laredo university because of historic low turnout. It will have one on Election Day.
Push for equal San Antonio City Council representation born in Thompson, nearby neighborhoods
Read full article: Push for equal San Antonio City Council representation born in Thompson, nearby neighborhoodsBig decisions are made on behalf of San Antonians inside City Hall. However, in the early 1970s, Rosie Castro said the people in charge didn’t reflect the entire city.
Facing election scrutiny, Texas prepares for Nov. 5 with paper ballots and strengthened security
Read full article: Facing election scrutiny, Texas prepares for Nov. 5 with paper ballots and strengthened securityOnly a handful of Texas counties will not have all in-person voters cast paper ballots at the polls. By 2026, all voting machines in Texas must produce a paper trail, per a 2021 state law.
Signs of November general election are local print shop owner’s handiwork
Read full article: Signs of November general election are local print shop owner’s handiworkJC Media has printed more than 100,000 campaign signs so far this election season, according to the owner, Jesse Castoreno. That includes signs for candidates across the political spectrum.
Texas lawmakers signal push to require proof of citizenship from voters
Read full article: Texas lawmakers signal push to require proof of citizenship from votersGov. Greg Abbott gave an inflated number of noncitizens removed from the state’s voter rolls, officials acknowledged, confirming findings by ProPublica, The Texas Tribune, and Votebeat.
Watch: Texas lawmakers discuss noncitizens on the voter rolls
Read full article: Watch: Texas lawmakers discuss noncitizens on the voter rollsHere’s what you need to know after a ProPublica, The Texas Tribune and Votebeat investigation found that Gov. Greg Abbott likely inflated the number of noncitizens on voter rolls.
Hays County ensures voting access for people with disabilities after DOJ investigation
Read full article: Hays County ensures voting access for people with disabilities after DOJ investigationHays County has reached an agreement with the United States after an investigation into providing accessible polling for voters with disabilities.
Aquí te decimos cómo puedes votar en las elecciones presidenciales del 5 de noviembre en Texas
Read full article: Aquí te decimos cómo puedes votar en las elecciones presidenciales del 5 de noviembre en TexasLa fecha límite para registrarse para votar es el 7 de octubre. El último día para solicitar una boleta para votar por correo es el 25 de octubre. El periodo de votación anticipada será del 21 de octubre al 1 de noviembre.
At this South Texas political convention, everyone has a voice, regardless of legal status
Read full article: At this South Texas political convention, everyone has a voice, regardless of legal statusInspired by the work of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, the biennial “cumbre” helps South Texans organize for political change.
Tarrant County GOP sought an election advantage with failed effort to shutter college voting locations
Read full article: Tarrant County GOP sought an election advantage with failed effort to shutter college voting locationsIn a resolution signed Friday, the party blasted two Republicans who voted against the measure and accused them of undermining its electoral chances.
Judge denies temporary restraining order against Bexar County for voter registration lawsuit
Read full article: Judge denies temporary restraining order against Bexar County for voter registration lawsuitDuring the hearing, legal representatives for the state Attorney General’s Office and county commissioners made arguments regarding the potential legal action.
Texas officials say they’ve scrubbed the voter rolls. Here’s how to check if you’re still on them.
Read full article: Texas officials say they’ve scrubbed the voter rolls. Here’s how to check if you’re still on them.The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 7. The Texas Tribune, ProPublica and Votebeat want to hear from people removed from voter rolls.
Ken Paxton agrees to pause its investigation into Texas civic group’s voter registration efforts
Read full article: Ken Paxton agrees to pause its investigation into Texas civic group’s voter registration effortsJolt, which advocates for more Latino voting participation, says the attorney general’s probe spurred threatening comments online.
GOP bid to remove polling sites from Tarrant County college campuses fails
Read full article: GOP bid to remove polling sites from Tarrant County college campuses failsCounty Judge Tim O’Hare said he proposed the cuts to save costs. Critics accused Republican leaders of suppressing the vote of young people who back Democrats.
Ken Paxton sues Bexar County over voter registration outreach effort
Read full article: Ken Paxton sues Bexar County over voter registration outreach effortThe move escalates Texas Republicans’ brewing fight with urban counties over initiatives to proactively send applications to unregistered voters.
What Texans need to know about helping people register to vote or cast ballots
Read full article: What Texans need to know about helping people register to vote or cast ballotsTexas officials have launched investigations into voting fraud allegations, but assisting other voters isn’t automatically illegal.
Group of Texas Democrats asks DOJ to investigate Texas over possible voter rights violations
Read full article: Group of Texas Democrats asks DOJ to investigate Texas over possible voter rights violationsThe request by the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus in a letter to the Department of Justice follows a similar request by a Latino civil rights organization.
Election experts cautious as Abbott touts voter roll purge
Read full article: Election experts cautious as Abbott touts voter roll purgeFederal and state law already required voter roll maintenance. Experts warn the governor’s framing of this routine process could be used to undermine trust in elections.
Texas Latino leaders label voter fraud investigation “nonsense,” call for federal, state reviews
Read full article: Texas Latino leaders label voter fraud investigation “nonsense,” call for federal, state reviewsAt a news conference, Texas House candidate Cecilia Castellano did not address any of the allegations Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office laid out in search warrant affidavits.
LULAC accuses Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton of ‘trying to keep Latinos from voting’
Read full article: LULAC accuses Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton of ‘trying to keep Latinos from voting’The League of United Latin American Citizens accused Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton of oppression, harassment and intimidation after the homes of several Democrats were raided by his office last week.
Warrants detail allegations that led to search of Democratic candidate for Texas House
Read full article: Warrants detail allegations that led to search of Democratic candidate for Texas HouseThe Texas attorney general’s office searched the home of Cecilia Castellano and a Democratic legislative aide. It said it’s investigating vote harvesting. Activists called it “intimidation.”
LULAC condemns Paxton’s election fraud raids as “intimidation”
Read full article: LULAC condemns Paxton’s election fraud raids as “intimidation”The group said that searches the attorney general’s office carried out this week targeted at least six Latinos, including a Democrat running for the Texas House.
Texas will send inspectors to monitor 2024 elections in Harris County
Read full article: Texas will send inspectors to monitor 2024 elections in Harris CountyAn audit by the Texas Secretary of State’s Office found improved elections procedures, but the office is sending monitors because of past problems.
It’s not just South Texas. Republicans are making gains with Latino voters in big cities, too.
Read full article: It’s not just South Texas. Republicans are making gains with Latino voters in big cities, too.Republican gains among Latino voters in urban areas could spell big trouble for Democrats’ hopes of turning Texas blue.
Texas election officials are dealing with a flood of challenges to voter registrations
Read full article: Texas election officials are dealing with a flood of challenges to voter registrationsConservative groups and individual activists have targeted tens of thousands of Texans over their eligibility. But state and federal protections are in place.
Here’s how to vote by mail in Texas for the November 2024 election
Read full article: Here’s how to vote by mail in Texas for the November 2024 electionThe deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is Oct. 25. The deadline for mail-in ballots to be returned or postmarked is Nov. 5, unless it is from an overseas voter.
“Vibe shift”: Young Texas voters, motivated by Kamala Harris, lock into the presidential election
Read full article: “Vibe shift”: Young Texas voters, motivated by Kamala Harris, lock into the presidential electionSome young voters who are upset about the Biden Administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war say they’re still hesitant about the vice president.
Voting Rights Act doesn’t protect coalitions of racial or ethnic groups challenging political maps, appeals court rules
Read full article: Voting Rights Act doesn’t protect coalitions of racial or ethnic groups challenging political maps, appeals court rulesIn a lawsuit challenging redistricting in Galveston County, the 5th Circuit said the protections afforded to a single racial group don’t apply to multiple groups who collectively claim voting rights violations.
Texas conservatives want to end countywide voting. The costs could be high.
Read full article: Texas conservatives want to end countywide voting. The costs could be high.More than 80% of the state’s registered voters can cast their ballot anywhere in the county on election day. Scrapping that option could lead to disenfranchisement, experts say.
Ranked-choice voting has challenged the status quo. Its popularity will be tested in November
Read full article: Ranked-choice voting has challenged the status quo. Its popularity will be tested in NovemberAlaska’s new electoral system — with open primaries and ranked-choice voting — has been a model for voters in other states who are frustrated by political polarization and a sense that voters lack real choice at the ballot box.
Galveston County redistricting case draws divide among federal appeals court judges
Read full article: Galveston County redistricting case draws divide among federal appeals court judgesThe 5th Circuit expressed skepticism about arguments from both sides in considering whether a coalition of Black and Latino voters should be granted the same protections as a single racial group under the Voting Rights Act.
Mexican citizens in Texas prepare to vote in landmark presidential election
Read full article: Mexican citizens in Texas prepare to vote in landmark presidential electionPeople living in Texas who have registered to vote in the Mexican elections could elect the country’s first female president next month.
In one Texas county, elections officials shoulder new costs and burdens to appease skeptics
Read full article: In one Texas county, elections officials shoulder new costs and burdens to appease skepticsBrazos County election officials are responding to demands from skeptical residents by expanding hand counts and ordering special paper.
Most 18-year-old Texans aren’t signed up to vote despite a law requiring voter registration in high schools
Read full article: Most 18-year-old Texans aren’t signed up to vote despite a law requiring voter registration in high schoolsVoting is habit-forming and high schools are critical for starting that pattern.
About 40% of Texas election administrators leave their job each presidential election cycle, report finds
Read full article: About 40% of Texas election administrators leave their job each presidential election cycle, report findsTexas’ turnover rate has held steady at 40% since 2014. That’s slightly above the new national average.
In El Paso, apathy, alienation and discontent with candidates drives low voter turnout
Read full article: In El Paso, apathy, alienation and discontent with candidates drives low voter turnoutAcross this border city, which sees some of the state’s lowest voter turnout, many residents either didn’t know there was an election in March or had reasons for avoiding the polls.
Texas appeals court overturns Crystal Mason’s conviction, 5-year sentence for illegal voting
Read full article: Texas appeals court overturns Crystal Mason’s conviction, 5-year sentence for illegal votingMason gained national attention after she was convicted for voting while under supervised release for felony tax fraud. She said she didn’t know she was ineligible to vote.
Republican voter turnout far outpaces Democrat turnout in 2024 primaries
Read full article: Republican voter turnout far outpaces Democrat turnout in 2024 primariesAbout 3.2 million Texans voted in the state’s primary election, down from 4.1 million during the 2020 presidential primary. Democratic turnout accounted for the entirety of the decline.
DATES: 2024 election dates, deadlines you need to know about in Texas
Read full article: DATES: 2024 election dates, deadlines you need to know about in TexasThis year voters will have several opportunities to go to the polls starting with the state’s primary elections in March and culminating with the General Election in November.
Federal judge rules Galveston County commissioner maps violate Voting Rights Act
Read full article: Federal judge rules Galveston County commissioner maps violate Voting Rights ActJudge Jeffrey V. Brown, a Trump appointee, found the county districts denied Black and Latino voters “the equal opportunity to participate in the political process.”
Push to hand count ballots throws a Texas county’s election administration into chaos
Read full article: Push to hand count ballots throws a Texas county’s election administration into chaosHow a Kerr County commissioner’s unfounded distrust of voting machines took “a wrecking ball to one of the finest election departments.”
Taxes, state parks, infrastructure: What you need to know about the Nov. 7 constitutional amendments election
Read full article: Taxes, state parks, infrastructure: What you need to know about the Nov. 7 constitutional amendments electionTexans will decide the fate of 14 constitutional amendments approved for the ballot by state lawmakers. Here’s a breakdown of each constitutional amendment and requirements to vote.
New law requires many Texas counties to add more polling places. In some areas, that’s going to be hard.
Read full article: New law requires many Texas counties to add more polling places. In some areas, that’s going to be hard.A new Texas law requiring more Election Day polling sites in several counties next year has officials worried they won’t be able to find enough voting locations or workers to staff them.
What’s at stake in the long-awaited trial over Texas’ sweeping 2021 elections law?
Read full article: What’s at stake in the long-awaited trial over Texas’ sweeping 2021 elections law?The Republican-passed Senate Bill 1 added restrictions to voting in Texas that plaintiffs say disproportionately affect voters of color
Texas Supreme Court lets state law eliminating Harris County elections chief stand, for now
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court lets state law eliminating Harris County elections chief stand, for nowThe ruling means the November elections in the state’s largest county will be overseen by two other county officials. Legislators targeted Harris County’s elections department after taking issue with the way the 2022 elections were run.
Third-party candidates may have an easier time getting on the ballot in Texas
Read full article: Third-party candidates may have an easier time getting on the ballot in TexasA federal judge blocks an 118-year-old state law that required minor political party candidates to collect more than 83,000 signatures on paper in order to appear on the ballot.
Gov. Greg Abbott vetoes bill that would give people with disabilities new option to vote by mail
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott vetoes bill that would give people with disabilities new option to vote by mailThe bipartisan legislation was long sought by advocates for disabled voters, including some of the governor’s own allies.
Eliminating countywide voting in Texas would make the process harder on voters, cost more money, election leaders say
Read full article: Eliminating countywide voting in Texas would make the process harder on voters, cost more money, election leaders sayCurrently, more than 80% of Texas voters can vote anywhere in their home county, a model that originated in Lubbock County. If lawmakers approve new legislation, that would change.
Texas Senate gives first OK to make illegal voting a felony again
Read full article: Texas Senate gives first OK to make illegal voting a felony againThe priority bill, backed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, reverses a change the Legislature made two years ago during an omnibus voting bill that made illegal voting a misdemeanor.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick calls for new election in Harris County after voting problems in November
Read full article: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick calls for new election in Harris County after voting problems in NovemberA spokesperson for the secretary of state’s office said only a court order could force a redo of elections.
The fringe ideology of “constitutional sheriffs” is attracting believers within Texas law enforcement
Read full article: The fringe ideology of “constitutional sheriffs” is attracting believers within Texas law enforcementSome 50 Texas sheriffs and numerous elected officials have attended trainings on the unsupported notion that sheriffs can single-handedly overrule state and federal law. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, which offered state peace officers credit for the seminars, is now investigating.
Texas elections secure despite COVID-related “irregularities” in 2020, audit finds
Read full article: Texas elections secure despite COVID-related “irregularities” in 2020, audit findsFour Texas counties were evaluated in a 359-page audit released by Secretary of State John Scott on Monday, two weeks before he steps down as chief election official.
Houston’s at-large City Council districts deprive Latinos of fair representation, lawsuit alleges
Read full article: Houston’s at-large City Council districts deprive Latinos of fair representation, lawsuit allegesThe League of United Latin American Citizens sued the city Monday, asking a federal court to halt its practice of electing five of its 16 council members through at-large elections.
Losing Republican candidate wants Texas House to void results of his race
Read full article: Losing Republican candidate wants Texas House to void results of his raceMike May, who lost to Houston state Rep. Jon Rosenthal by 6,000 votes, wants the Texas House to order a new election. State law allows such an appeal, but the House hasn’t approved one in more than 40 years.
Republican requests recount after loss in battleground race for state Senate seat in South Texas
Read full article: Republican requests recount after loss in battleground race for state Senate seat in South TexasAdam Hinojosa finished 659 votes behind Democrat Morgan LaMantia in a race that garnered 175,415 total votes.
Texas attorney general attempts to toss out late-cast Harris County votes
Read full article: Texas attorney general attempts to toss out late-cast Harris County votesA court ordered Harris County to keep its polls open late on Election Day, but Attorney General Ken Paxton is asking the state Supreme Court to not allow ballots cast after normal deadline to count.
Georgia court declines to halt Saturday early runoff voting
Read full article: Georgia court declines to halt Saturday early runoff votingA Georgia appeals court ruling means that counties can offer early voting this coming Saturday in the U.S. Senate runoff election between Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker.
Harris County’s election missteps fuel GOP lawsuit and calls for investigation
Read full article: Harris County’s election missteps fuel GOP lawsuit and calls for investigationScattered paper ballot shortages and late openings of polling places were among the glitches that prompted calls for scrutiny from statewide Republican officials.
Texas avoided election violence. Advocates say voters still need more protection.
Read full article: Texas avoided election violence. Advocates say voters still need more protection.Citing thousands of complaints received throughout the midterm cycle, voter advocacy groups want the Texas Legislature to bolster voter protection and education measures, and revisit recently passed laws that empowered partisan poll watchers.
Texas voter turnout fell from 2018. It was still higher than other midterms.
Read full article: Texas voter turnout fell from 2018. It was still higher than other midterms.In Texas, 45.7% of the 17.7 million registered voters cast ballots in the 2022 midterm election. That’s 7.3 percentage points lower than the state’s total turnout in 2018 but higher than in every other midterm election in the last 20 years.
Was Donald Trump the biggest loser on election night? 3 takeaways from red wave that wasn’t
Read full article: Was Donald Trump the biggest loser on election night? 3 takeaways from red wave that wasn’tResults are still being finalized in key congressional and state legislature races across the country, but one thing that became clear overnight is that the 2022 midterm elections were not the red wave of Republican wins many pundits forecasted.
Federal judge tells Beaumont election officials not to harass or discriminate against Black voters
Read full article: Federal judge tells Beaumont election officials not to harass or discriminate against Black votersClaims of misconduct during early voting were raised in a federal lawsuit filed Monday by the Beaumont chapter of the NAACP, accusing election workers of scrutinizing Black voters’ identities and shadowing them while at voting stations
Watch: Texas A&M students accuse Brazos County of voter suppression after moving on-campus voting site
Read full article: Watch: Texas A&M students accuse Brazos County of voter suppression after moving on-campus voting siteThe Texas A&M on-campus early-voting location had the second-highest voter turnout in the county during the 2018 and 2020 presidential elections.
“I’m in no rush”: Voter apathy takes hold of early voting ahead of Texas midterm election
Read full article: “I’m in no rush”: Voter apathy takes hold of early voting ahead of Texas midterm electionRepublicans may be waiting to vote on Election Day after former President Donald Trump pushed voting in person on Nov. 8 at a rally in South Texas.
No, Texas voting machines aren’t switching your votes
Read full article: No, Texas voting machines aren’t switching your votesSensitive touch screens aren’t always user friendly and make it easy for voters to accidentally select the wrong candidate. Voters should carefully review their ballots before submitting them.
College voters held back by Texas election law, lack of on-campus polling sites
Read full article: College voters held back by Texas election law, lack of on-campus polling sitesMany Texas universities don’t have early-voting locations on campus. And state laws regarding voter ID and registration make it hard to turn out younger voters, advocates say.
Voter fraud charges dismissed against Hervis Rogers, Houston man who waited hours to vote in 2020
Read full article: Voter fraud charges dismissed against Hervis Rogers, Houston man who waited hours to vote in 2020Attorney General Ken Paxton pursued charges against Rogers, who was on parole when he voted in the 2020 primary election. But a judge tossed the case after a higher court said Paxton can’t unilaterally prosecute election crimes.
Ahead of elections, Asian American and Pacific Islander organizers try to break down language barriers
Read full article: Ahead of elections, Asian American and Pacific Islander organizers try to break down language barriersOne of the state’s fastest-growing demographics, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders often lack information in their languages that would make the political process more accessible.
Texans make the case for why voting matters
Read full article: Texans make the case for why voting mattersThe Texas Tribune spoke to Texans across the political spectrum and asked them to make their case for why voting matters this year. The deadline to register to vote was Oct. 11. Early voting runs from Oct. 24 to Nov. 4.