Opening the book…
After reading this chapter, you should be able to:
- Analyze both formal and informal historical barriers to voting and participation in Texas.
- Explain the current registration process and voting requirements in Texas.
- Discuss the factors that affect voter turnout and political participation in Texas.
- Evaluate the key elements of political campaigns, focusing specifically on how they are administered and financed.
- Describe the purpose of the different types of elections.
If I take a ballot selfie while casting my vote, am I breaking the law? (Figure 5.1)
Well, who doesn’t like to take a good selfie? But if you are thinking of taking a selfie in the voting booth in Texas, think again. Each state has its own laws regarding ballot selfies or even phones in the voting booth. In Texas, phones and other wireless communication devices are by law not allowed within 100 feet of a polling place. But what about a mail in ballot? Well, for those of you voting from home, there is nothing in Texas law that addresses photos and mail in ballots. So, if you are filling out a mail in ballot, get the lighting ready and say cheese!
- 5.1: The History of Voting in Texas
- This page examines the history of voting rights in Texas, focusing on systemic disenfranchisement of Black individuals and poor Whites post-Civil War, the impact of key amendments and court cases, and the evolution of discriminatory laws. It highlights the Twenty-Fourth Amendment abolishing poll taxes, the unconstitutionality of all-White primaries under Smith v. Allwright, and recognition of Mexican Americans in Hernandez v. Texas.
- 5.2: Voting in Texas Today
- This page outlines the requirements for voting in U.S. presidential elections, emphasizing that voters must be citizens, residents, and at least eighteen years old, with some states adding their own criteria. In Texas, individuals can register if they are nearly eighteen. There are debates regarding the maturity of younger voters, and voter registration methods differ by state, with Texas offering online and phone registration options.
- 5.3: Voter Turnout and Political Participation- Are the Voting Winds Changing in Texas?
- This page discusses Texas's historical challenges with low voter turnout, highlighting the significant increase in voter registration by 2020 due to political efforts and population growth. While there was greater participation in certain elections, especially with strong Democratic candidates, the state remained largely Republican in control. Democrats gained some ground but overall trends indicate a continued Republican dominance, prompting discussions about the state's voting dynamics.
- 5.4: Barriers to Voting
- This page discusses the factors affecting voter turnout in Texas, highlighting long-standing Republican dominance resulting in apathy among voters. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated voter registration challenges, particularly for minorities and low-income individuals, while restrictive voter ID laws further hinder participation. Voter fatigue from frequent elections adds to disengagement. Older voters usually have higher turnout but declined in 2020 due to pandemic fears.
- 5.5: Campaigns in Texas
- This page discusses the significant role of campaign financing in Texas politics, highlighting Governor Abbott's fundraising efforts and Beto O'Rourke's record-breaking, PAC-free campaign aimed at young voters. The influence of Super PACs and mega-donors raises concerns about democracy and representation, as wealthy donors skew political outcomes and limit candidate diversity.
- 5.6: Types of Elections
- This page discusses the significance of elections in American democracy, specifically in Texas, where there are four types: primary, runoff, general, and special elections. Primaries determine party nominees with varying participation rules, while runoffs take place if no majority is attained. General elections choose public officials, often by plurality, and special elections address vacancies or amendments. Texas faces challenges with low voter turnout, especially in primaries.
- 5.7: Conclusion
- This page discusses the historical context of discrimination in Texas post-Reconstruction during the Jim Crow era, focusing on legal segregation and voting barriers. It highlights significant court cases that challenged these injustices, the impact of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and ongoing challenges like strict voter ID laws and gerrymandering. While younger voters are registering in increasing numbers, partisan redistricting remains a concern for fair representation in elections.
- 5.8: Critical Thinking Questions
- This page discusses the perspective of Mexican Americans on the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause in relation to civil rights, highlighting state disputes about its applicability. It also addresses the Texas voter ID law, criticized as a modern poll tax that restricts voting rights for minorities and the poor.
This page titled 5: Elections and Political Participation in Texas was last modified on Mon, 17 Jul 2023 07:59:06 GMT and is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Andrew Teas, Kevin Jefferies, Mark W. Shomaker, Penny L. Watson, and Terry Gilmour (panOpen) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.
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