Voting-rights coalition quits challenge to Texas’ 2021 redistricting after court setback
The remaining plaintiffs in the case are organizations representing Latino and Black voters, with a trial set to begin May 21. Full Story
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Natalia Contreras covers election administration and voting access for Votebeat in partnership with The Texas Tribune. She has covered a range of topics as a community journalist including local government, public safety, immigration and social issues. Natalia previously reported for the Austin American-Statesman, focusing on impacts of government policies on communities of color. Natalia previously worked at the Indianapolis Star, where she helped launch the first Spanish-language newsletter, and at the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. She was born in Tampico, Tamaulipas in Mexico and grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas. She is based in Corpus Christi.
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![Salman Bhojani, a former candidate for Texas Senate District 9, shows where he lives on an updated map that now draws him out of District 9 and now into District 2, at his offices in Irving, on Oct. 17, 2021. Bhojani suspended his campaign after state legislature adopted new district maps which draw Bhojani's home out of District 9.]()
Credit: Ben Torres for The Texas Tribune -
Republican lawmakers revive effort to give attorney general more power to prosecute election crimes
Critics fear increased election prosecutions could intimidate voters and local election officials. Attorney General Ken Paxton has long sought more autonomy over election cases. Full Story
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![Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas, speaks to the media Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, during a press conference following arguments in the case “Free Speech Coalition, Inc., et al. v. Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas,” at the Supreme Court of the United States in Washington, D.C.]()
Credit: Luke Johnson for The Texas Tribune -
DOJ drops fight against Texas political maps as Trump administration retreats from voting rights cases
The Biden administration had challenged a Republican-led redistricting plan that diluted the political power of minorities. Other legal challenges will continue. Full Story
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![Census data from 2020 and redistricting maps at The Texas Tribune office in Austin on Oct. 7, 2021. The state population grew by nearly 4 million and was driven mainly by people of color.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate majority unveils bill requiring voters to prove their citizenship
All 20 GOP senators signed on to Senate Bill 16, which would apply to currently registered voters, and restrict some to only congressional elections. Full Story
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![Jessika Morales, 33, assists Francisco Jubera, 63, who just moved into the county, to register to vote at the Nueces County Courthouse in Corpus Christi, Texas on Sept. 11, 2024.]()
Credit: Gabriel V. Cárdenas for Votebeat -
In Guadalupe County, an elections academy aims to strengthen residents’ trust in voting
The academy offers an inside look at how votes are counted and secured. It’s building confidence — and inspiring similar programs across Texas. Full Story
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![Guadalupe County residents cast their votes on voting equipment as part of a logic and accuracy testing at the Guadalupe County Elections office on March 4, 2025. The exercise was part of the county’s Citizens Elections Academy.]()
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Texas countywide voting bill would allow fewer polling sites
Senate Bill 985 would revise a 2023 law that raised the minimum number of voting locations. County election officials say they’ve struggled to comply with it. Full Story
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![Early morning voters wait outside in the rain at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center in Houston on Nov. 5, 2024.]()
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune -
Bexar County hires veteran election official pushed out of previous job amid right-wing criticism
Michele Carew was unanimously appointed as election administrator for the county that’s home to San Antonio, four years after leaving her post in Hood County. Full Story
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![Michele Carew, election administrator of Hood County, faced calls for her termination by local officials and community members.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune/ProPublica -
Some Texas lawmakers want to ban countywide voting on Election Day. Local officials are pushing back.
Election administrators say letting people cast a ballot at any polling site is more convenient for voters and cheaper for local governments. Full Story
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![State Sen. Bob Hall, R-Edgewood, in the Texas Senate chamber on September 6, 2023.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/Pool for the Texas Tribune -
Texas counties left scrambling after critical election equipment loses its certification
Texas decertified a widely used electronic pollbook after problems in November. Will a fix arrive in time for the next election? Full Story
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![People line up to vote at the Oak Lawn Branch Library in Dallas on Election Day, November 5, 2024.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
“It kind of sounded biblical”: How a roll of the dice and numbered beads determined a Corpus Christi City Council race
Five people threw their hats in the ring for a single council seat in the South Texas city. That level of interest kicked off an unorthodox — but not unprecedented — series of events. Full Story
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![Corpus Christi City Council District 1 candidate Billy Lerma (right) tosses his numbered pebble into a bowl as Mayor Paulette Guajardo congratulates incumbent City Councilman Everett Roy for winning the casting of lots for the council seat at City Hall on Jan. 7, 2025.]()
Credit: Courtesy of John Oliva/Corpus Christi Caller-Times