Voter turnout in midterm and special elections is typically lower than in federal elections, especially concerning local and state issues. This is true everywhere. However, in voter-suppressed states like Texas, turnout often trends lower due to legislation that is designed to alienate Black and Latino voters. That sense of disenfranchisement stems from confusion due to constantly changing rules, barriers, and partisan gerrymandering.
In 2020, Ross Ramsey at the Texas Tribune analyzed Texas voter laws, declaring that it was harder to vote in Texas than in any other state. This is largely due to the flimsy voter fraud arguments that have led to the justification of voter ID laws, the number of drop-off locations each county should be permitted, which voters are authorized to vote by mail, and whether curbside voting makes voting too easy, among various other measures.
In 2023, Texas election workers expressed fear of prosecution over how vague the provisions of SB 1, a broad voter restriction law enacted in 2021 after President Donald Trump’s claims of a rigged election. They testified that they would no longer like to serve because of fears over rogue poll watchers implicating them in something dubious.
In 2024, ten more voter-related bills took effect, seven of which the Brennan Center labeled restrictive or interference-related. Then came the 2025 partisan gerrymandering debacle that has the country’s attention.
Before the latest gerrymandering efforts, Texas underwent another effort that took power from Black and Latino communities, particularly in the major cities, which are typically more progressive than the rest of the state. The targets were Dallas, Houston, Austin, El Paso, and San Antonio. However, in a state with a larger Latino population than any other group, the constant shifting around inevitably led to the creation of four majority Latino districts, a risky endeavor for Republicans and a huge opportunity for Democrats.
While most voters seem to appreciate California’s efforts to counteract the Texas legislature, they must also be reminded that partisan gerrymandering in all forms should be outlawed. It is one of the most powerful weapons used in the South to primarily suppress the votes of Black communities, while encircling other nonwhite communities. It’s accomplished by employing the same Reconstruction Era processes of handing control of elections to White people in power.
Low Turnout
Voter turnout in Texas is typically much lower than most people like to see. That became evident in 2024 when, despite the state boasting a record number of registered voters (18.6 million), the presidential election saw a paltry 61% voter turnout, a 6% drop in participation. Turnout gets worse for constitutional amendments. In 2023, only 14.4% of registered voters participated, representing the highest voter turnout for a constitutional amendment election since 2005.
Local elections also see lower numbers, particularly during primaries. However, in the 18th Congressional District, turnout was higher than expected after much confusion stemming from the recent redistricting. Many in the district were unsure if they were still within its boundaries, questioning whether they were still allowed to vote for a representative. Sixteen candidates were running to represent a district that hasn’t had representation since Sylvester Turner died nearly 8 months ago.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott refused to call for a special election sooner.
Voters in the 18th Congressional District are about 80% nonwhite and have sent icons such as Barbara Jordan and Sheila Jackson Lee to Congress, along with Turner. Most of the 16 candidates are Black progressive candidates. Several of the top 10 polling locations in yesterday’s elections in Texas were from he 18th district. The confusion, likely intentional, was short-lived, and the turnout represented how resilient some Texas voters can be.
Democrats Christian Menefee and Amanda Edwards are heading to a runoff to serve the remainder of Turner’s term before the redrawn district takes effect. The new district greatly limits the voting power of nonwhite groups, particularly Black voters. Moves like this are seen all over the state, and with voter suppression laws as extensive as those we see in Texas, this only promises to get worse unless Democrats embrace a more economic populist message that can mobilize the millions of Texans who stay home in election after election.
Because Texas is one of the most voter-suppressed states in the country, many voters feel disenfranchised by the process, except for white conservatives who vote in every election.
Summary of the Amendments
On the ballot were 17 amendments, many of which were supported by a majority of Texans, while some, which seem dubious, will exacerbate the confusion at polling stations. Every amendment was passed. More than half were related to taxes. Proposition 7 created property tax exemptions for widows of veterans killed in service. Proposition 9 lowered property taxes for landlords and business owners, while Proposition 10 grants property tax exemptions to homeowners whose homes were destroyed in a fire.
Continuing on the property tax trend, Proposition 11 gives seniors and people with disabilities a $60,000 property tax exemption, and Proposition 13 increases the Homestead Exemption for all homeowners from $100,000 to $150,000. Proposition 17 gives homeowners along the border an exemption for any construction projects on their land if they’re related to border security.
The other amendments addressing taxes were Proposition 2, banning a capital gains tax, and Proposition 6, which prohibits certain taxes on financial service providers. Proposition 8 bans an inheritance tax (the state doesn’t have one), while Proposition 5 creates a tax exemption for animal feed held in retailers’ inventories. Propositions 6 and 17 were the most voted against.
Several amendments were investment-related. Proposition 1 provides funding for technical colleges in the state, Proposition 4 allocates $1 billion for water infrastructure upgrades, and Proposition 14 allocates $3 billion for a Dementia Prevention and Research Institute. On the other end of the spectrum, Proposition 3 requires judges to deny bail in some violent and sex offender cases, while Proposition 12 revamps the State Commission on Judicial Conduct “to more effectively sanction judges for judicial misconduct” and changes how members are appointed.
Finally, Proposition 15 puts parents’ rights (already protected by the U.S. Constitution) in the Texas Constitution, and Proposition 16 declares that only U.S. Citizens can vote in local and state elections, which is already the law. These may seem dubious, but both can have major implications. Some say the former could complicate child welfare cases, while the latter will only create more confusion for poll workers, adding to the already oppressive rules in place.
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