Turnout Drops in Recent Election

Voter turnout in the midterm elections again dropped statewide, with just over 45% of registered voters either casting ballots early or at the polls on Nov. 8. Republican candidates continued to hold a hammerlock on statewide positions, with incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott handily winning a third term over challenger Beto O’Rourke.

The Texas Standard reported turnout in the state’s largest counties was well below 50% and lower than the record 2018 midterm turnout. Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston, said he wasn’t surprised at the relatively low turnout.

“Usually, it’s hard to get Texans to vote in midterm elections. We saw a sizable increase in 2018 and then a big bump in 2020, but it’s starting to look like the 2018 and 2020 numbers were basically an aberration,” he said.

In Harris County, turnout dropped from 52% in 2018 to 43% this year. Dallas County saw turnout plunge from 57% in 2018 to 44% this year, while in Tarrant County turnout was 47%, down from 57% in the last midterm.

“The turnout in this election was abysmal. It was way too low. And so, voters need to understand that if they don’t participate in the process, then their ability to control what happens in Austin is limited,” Rottinghaus told the Texas Standard.

Lawmakers: Get Tougher On Polluters

The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, which periodically reviews state agencies, has concluded the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality needs to make frequent polluters more accountable and increase the possible fines companies can face. The commission consists of 10 legislators and two members of the public. The Texas Tribune reported the sunset commission called for state lawmakers to pass legislation next session that would increase the penalty levels for industrial polluters from $25,000 per day to $40,000.

“I think people wanted to send a message that we were cognizant of the burden upon industry while also recognizing the importance of increasing the penalty after this period of time so that the TCEQ has the power and the tools to actually enforce compliance with its rules,” said Sen. Nathan Johnson, DDallas, and a member of the commission.

The sunset commission’s recommendations will be considered during the next legislative session, which begins in January.