By Freda Ross
As Texas voters go to the polls in November, they are most concerned about reducing healthcare costs, electricity bills and homeowners insurance.
A recent poll by the nonpartisan organization Texas 2036 showed many Texans have concerns about the direction the state is going.
Samantha Lott, a social worker in Denton, said she started delivering groceries just to make ends meet. She is encouraging everyone to vote.
“Our power to vote does mean something. If it didn’t, they wouldn’t be closing polling places. No matter what side of the aisle you’re on, this is a really important election for us to try to claw back some of the things for the working-class folk,” Lott emphasized.
Education and water issues also top of mind for Texas voters
Other top concerns include Texas students reading and doing math at grade level and ensuring high school students graduate ready for college or a career. About half of those polled said they are not affiliated with a political party and will split their ballot in November.
More than 81% of respondents said they are concerned about water infrastructure in the state. Texas is a leader in the number of operating and proposed data centers in the country and the facilities use water to prevent overheating. Reports said they can use up to 110 million gallons of water a day, depending on the facility’s size.
Lott, who is 34, said she feels it is up to her generation to change what is happening.
“Things are only going to get worse if we don’t change. And so if we run out of water, if we have high pollution and high heat, natural disasters that are worse and worse, all of these things are going to be unlivable,” Lott stressed.
Early voting in Texas runs Oct. 19 through Oct. 30.
Related: Texas ranks 48th of 50 in WalletHub’s 2026 Safest States Report
