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A well-informed electorate is critical to the health of sustaining democracy. Reform Austin is committed to providing in-depth reporting to ensure Texans are prepared when they go to the polls. Additionally, Reform Austin reports on the critical issues and challenges facing voters in Texas elections. 
It has become increasingly difficult for Texans to exercise the right to vote as a record number of polling places have closed. The state tops the nation in shutting down polling sites – closing 750 locations since 2013. Civil rights advocates warn this will disenfranchise voters. 
In the 86th Legislative Session, Texas lawmakers passed legislation prohibiting local governments from setting up temporary polling locations. In the past, mobile and temporary voting centers helped provide better voting access to rural and under-served communities in Texas, including college students and the elderly. Two new Democratic groups and a former Austin city manager have filed suit against the Texas Secretary of State’s office, arguing the bill suppresses the vote of many disenfranchised groups.
Reform Austin covers all aspects of voting – how you vote, who you’re voting for, when you’re voting, where to vote, and the results of the elections. We report on new candidates that announce, people running for reelection, and legislators that announce their resignation. Additionally, we provide comprehensive voter guides for you to compare candidates on the issues, as well as constitutional amendment explainers. Check Reform Austin for everything about voting, including what is done in the Texas Legislature to either promote or suppress the vote.

Well-liked House Democrat Jessica Farrar retires after two decades of service

State Rep. Jessica Farrar announced Friday that she would retire from the Texas House of Representatives effective September 30, 2019. Farrar, a...

Harris County Defends Drive-Thru Voters From GOP Push to Cancel Votes

On Friday, Harris County fired back in the Texas Supreme Court at Texas Republicans’ challenge to the county’s ongoing drive-thru voting initiative...

Is A New GOP Legal Group Designed To Suppress Voting?

Last week, several top conservative Republicans launched a legal group with the intention of pursuing “election integrity laws” in states across the...

Gov. Abbott Has Six-Point Lead Over O’Rourke, New Poll Shows

A new University of Texas at Tyler poll shows Gov. Greg Abbott has a six-point lead over Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke. The...

TX Poll: Cruz Holds Close Lead in Senate Race

Incumbent Senator Ted Cruz holds a four point lead over Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke in the contest for the U.S. Senate race in November, according to a poll conducted by Reform Austin.

Texas Attorney General Primary Begins to Take Shape: Eva Guzman Joins

Eva Guzman, former justice of the Texas Supreme Court, has joined Ken Paxton and George P. Bush in an already crowded race...

QAnon Banned on Facebook, Instagram

Facebook is banning QAnon supporters and any of the organization’s group pages from all of its platforms. QAnon is...

Poll Shows Trump, Biden Tied in Texas

In the home stretch of the 2020 campaign, former Vice President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump  are tied 47% to 47%...

How a bond election changed Texas’ early voting laws

The phrase “elections have consequences” has become a cliche, a political version of “it is what it is.”  However,...

Texas House Speaker Candidate Tinderholt Plans To Eliminate Democratic Committee Chairs

Should Texas Republicans retain control of the House of Representatives after the midterms, one of the further-right members has vowed to run...

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