Introduction
The election results in many states are greatly influenced by voter turnout. The eligibility of voters is a criterion that is considered during voting. The number of persons who are eligible to vote varies between provinces. Voter turnout in Texas has always lagged behind that of other states.
This essay uses concrete examples and facts to examine the factors influencing Texas’s low voter turnout rates. Reviewing voter turnout rates must consider several important factors, including the voting-eligible population (VEP). VEP excludes the fraction of the state’s population legally permitted to vote while removing ineligible voters, depending on restrictions. As a result, state rules directly affect the number of people who can vote and influence election outcomes.
Importance of Voter Participation in a Democracy
Voter participation is one of the determinants of a thriving democracy because voters choose the leaders they believe can advance the agendas outlined in the various parties’ manifestos. The percentage of voters can be used to gauge how effective the voting process is because some people may be deterred from voting owing to voting system flaws, which cast doubt on the democratic authenticity of a specific political environment. Therefore, the government should be concerned about voter turnout since elected officials should represent the majority of eligible voters. Uneven participation can change the pattern of representation, which has a real impact on policy outcomes and governance.
Given that Texas has the second-highest population density of the 50 states in the US, it makes sense that people who cast ballots in elections would rank Texas second or even first (Jillson 5). Unfortunately, this assumption is impractical because Texas has one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the nation—36 percent—compared to other states (Ponstingel and Weaver 260).
The Dominance of One Political Party in Texas
Texas faces a severe issue with this scenario because the people there do not seem interested in exercising their democratic right to vote for their desired leaders. The US’s two-party system is one of the things contributing to this low voter turnout. Since one of the parties has historically controlled Texas politics for a long time, this system only allows voters to choose between two candidates during the general election.
The Republican Party has dissuaded Democrats from voting because they believe they are outnumbered by the party, which has maintained its dominance for decades with increasingly expensive campaigns and continuous support from the Latino population. This element implies that the Democratic Party is becoming less popular as the Republican Party’s popularity rises. For instance, during the 2010 general election, the race between two Republicans, which generated a resounding turnout of 1.4 million people from the Republican side, dominated Texas politics (Ponstingel and Weaver 264). Rick Perry, the governor running on the Republican side, easily defeated Bill White, the Democratic candidate, in the primary.
Complicated Voter Registration Laws
Registration laws in Texas are one factor in the low turnout rate there. The state imposes a complex registration process to register to vote in elections. Voters must register 30 days before the election date to cast a ballot. Additionally, Texas needs to have automatic voter registration, which adds to the burden for many individuals. For instance, tight ID requirements during the 2016 presidential election prevented more than 500,000 eligible voters from registering (Veomett 255). Consequently, a challenging and demanding registration process is one of the reasons why there is a low voter turnout in the state of choice.
Strategies to Improve Voter Turnout
Academics have proposed some options for the state of Texas to enhance voter turnout in the next elections. Implementing automatic voter registration reduces the time a voter has to register before casting a ballot. Expanding polling places may also benefit the actual voter turnout.
Another answer is encouraging more of them to obtain their IDs to ensure that this problem prevents eligible voters from exercising their right to vote. More people may be motivated to vote if the educational gap between the Hispanic population and other groups is reduced and those groups’ voices and demands are heard. By implementing those plans, Texas might see a rise in voting turnout and offer its citizens a voice.
This tendency raises severe concerns because Texas politics has only one party. Many Democratic Party members choose not to cast their ballots because they do not believe their vote will matter, given the other party’s tyranny of numbers. Although 61.6% of Texans are eligible to vote, this tendency has led to a troubling 36 percent voter turnout (Veomett 249).
Another element contributing to Texas’s low voter turnout is the education level. People with more education make better decisions and are aware of their responsibility in selecting the leaders who will transform society. Unfortunately, Texas’s education levels are below the national average, particularly in the neighborhoods of African Americans and Hispanics, where voter turnout is meager.Â
Due to their low educational levels, these populations must be made aware of the state’s political structure, which accounts for their lack of interest in participating in the electoral process. Texas is a relatively populous state, and many residents are under the legal voting age of 18 (Jillson 5). Since they do not perceive the necessity to participate in political affairs, the younger generation is less likely to vote than the older generation, demonstrating that age is another reason for the low voter turnout rate. Texas’ youth are primarily unaware that voting is a civic obligation and that, despite their youth, they have the power to influence the state through their votes.
Another aspect affecting the low voter turnout in Texas is the variation in family income levels. Regarding the percentage of persons living in poverty due to low-income groups, Texas ranks ninth out of all the states, with lower income levels than the national average. Such individuals are less likely to cast ballots because they have less desire to do so and have more pressing matters than voting. As a result, voters are less likely to be low-income individuals than high-income individuals. The comparison between the voter turnout in Collin County, where residents have excellent income sources, and the poor participation in Starr County, where residents have low incomes, demonstrates how income impacts voter turnout.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Texas has consistently displayed poor voter turnout over the past few years compared to other states. Only 50% of people who are eligible to vote often go to the polls, which is a meager figure. Based on the research, Texas’s demographics, stringent voting registration laws, and Republican-led government are the leading causes of the state’s low voter turnout. A difference will be made by increasing the number of Texas residents registered to vote and those who cast a ballot on election day.
To solve the issue of the Republican Party’s dominance in the state, Democrats in Texas need to organize their followers and find additional funding for their campaigns. This action will boost voter participation and competition for the two parties’ top leaders in the election. The state should also know that socioeconomic factors, such as education, impact voter turnout. As a result, education levels should be elevated to national norms while actively participating in voter education initiatives. This will likely improve voter turnout in the area as most Texans will recognize and embrace their civic duty to vote.
Works Cited
Jillson, Cal. Texas Politics: Governing the Lone Star State. Routledge, 2021.
Ponstingel, John, and Russell Weaver. “Can Social Institutions Awaken ‘Sleeping Giants’? A Pilot Electoral Geography Study of Latinx Voter Turnout in Texas Counties in the 2016 US Presidential Election.” The Professional Geographer 73.2 2021: 254-268. Web.
Veomett, Ellen. “Efficiency gap, voter turnout, and the efficiency principle.” Election Law Journal: Rules, Politics, and Policy 17.4 2018: 249–263. Web.