Texans will vote in several critical down-ballot races in November. (Photo by Trong Nguyen/Shutterstock)
Down-ballot races impact your day-to-day life. Here’s a guide to ones to watch for on your November ballot.
Progress Texas originally published this column on Sept. 5. Progress Texas is a rapid response media organization promoting progressive messages and actions. While campaigns come and go, we’re the permanent home for progressive media and action in our state.
After the DNC, we’re all laser-focused on the presidential race and the excitement surrounding the Harris-Walz ticket, but did you know that there’s so much more at stake in every election than just who sits in the Oval Office? Shockingly, around one-third of voters skip over down-ballot races entirely.
With straight-ticket voting no longer an option in Texas — it was eliminated by Republicans — you must manually choose each candidate, making it absolutely essential to be informed about every single race — like federal and state representatives and senators, state commissioners, judges, and more.
You might be following the Harris-Walz team all the way to November, especially with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently dropping out of the race and endorsing delusional, former President Donald Trump. But, Trump’s team is expecting votes from RFK Jr. to alter this presidential race, and there are many important progressive picks to keep in mind as you prepare to vote for top issues like restoring your reproductive and voting rights.
What positions should you be paying attention to?
Anyone beyond that first presidential page of your ballot. Senate seats in 10 states are up for grabs in this upcoming election. US Rep. Colin Allred will be at the top of your ballot running against one of the most despised senators, Ted Cruz, and is now encroaching on the margin of error thanks to a boost from the hype for Harris.
Meanwhile, the U.S. House majority is up for grabs, including all 38 Congressional seats in Texas. And as we move towards the start of the next Texas Legislative Session, beginning in January, the Texas House is also at play; all 150 seats are up and you’ll have a say in the district representing you. Last, under the pink dome in Austin, nearly half of the Texas State Senate seats are on the ballot. Progressive options for the Texas Senate include incumbent Sens. Sarah Eckhardt (Austin) and Molly Cook (Houston), as well as candidate Rachel Mello for TX-SD 8 (Dallas, McKinney).
Democrats on the cusp of flipping Texas House, winning statewide positions
With just 12 seats on the margin in the Texas House and Senate not that far behind either, your vote could be the one that makes history. Other statewide races — meaning all Texas voters have a say — include a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the state’s oil and gas production and could have a crucial role in moving Texas towards a green energy economy. There are also numerous state judicial races on the ballot.
Noteworthy Democratic candidates include Katherine Culbert for the Railroad Commission, who has pledged to hold corporations accountable and protect our environment, and Holly Taylor for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Taylor has prosecuted public officials that abuse their power.
In your community, you also might have the opportunity to vote on city ballot initiatives, which are typically grassroot efforts to pass local ordinances. In Bastrop, Dallas, Lockhart and McAllen, Ground Game Texas has been actively pushing campaigns focused on decriminalizing cannabis as well as anti-corruption and resident referendums. Their strategies include educating voters by going door-to-door, collaborating with local leaders, and fighting to get this personal freedom on your ballot.
Time to get informed, show up, and bring a friend
The good and bad news is that down-ballot races are often decided by razor-thin margins and each elected position is held by people who guide your day-to-day life far more than the federal government ever will. Plus, these candidates down the ballot know the problems in our state and communities best. Many of them are running on platforms protecting voting and abortion rights, advocating for climate justice, and safeguarding our public school system — all issues that our current far-right state leaders are actively trying to attack. With some local elections won or lost by just a handful of votes, it’s time to have your say on Nov. 5.
What’s next
Have you checked your voter status after nearly one million people were taken off the rolls? Visit GoVoteTexas.org and share with your friends and family.
Don’t forget protecting your neighborhood public schools and the all-important State Board of Education races.
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