Midterm elections happen every two years, right in the middle of a president’s four-year term. The November 2026 election will determine who represents Texans in Congress, statewide offices, state legislatures, and local levels of government. When young people don’t show up for midterms, others decide our future for us. That’s not an accident. That’s the plan.

Put what you care about on the ballot. Midterm votes can influence issues like:

  • Reproductive healthcare and bodily autonomy

  • Immigration and border-related state actions

  • Voting rules and election systems

  • Education funding and student life

  • Energy, climate resilience, and infrastructure

  • Public safety and local resources

Your beliefs, your ballot.

Midterm elections also tend to receive less attention than presidential elections, but the offices on the ballot have significant power over what happens in Texas and in your community.

Turnout is usually lower the presidential years which means that each vote carries more weight and young voters can have an outsized impact by showing up!

In fact, with young people making up 23% of the state’s population, Texas’ U.S. Senate race has been identified as the race where young voters can have the biggest impact anywhere in the country this cycle.

  • Candidates: James Talarico, Ken Paxton, Ted Brown

    U.S. Senators represent Texas at the federal level. They vote on:

    • Federal laws and budgets

    • Judicial and cabinet confirmations

    • National policies affecting healthcare, immigration, climate, and voting rights

  • Candidates: Gina Hinojosa, Greg Abbott, Pat Dixon

    The Governor serves as Texas’ chief executive. This office influences:

    • State budget priorities and legislative agendas

    • Appointment of agency leaders and judicial vacancies

    • Emergency powers and statewide policy direction

  • Candidates: Dan Patrick, Vikki Goodwin, Kevin Mccormick, Anthony Cristo

    The Lieutenant Governor presides over the Texas Senate and has significant influence over which legislation moves through the Senate.

    This office influences:

    • Which bills receive consideration in the Texas Senate

    • Committee assignments and leadership

    • State budget and legislative priorities

  • Candidates: Nathan Johnson, Mayes Middleton, Tom Oxford

    The Attorney General serves as the state's chief legal officer. This office:

    • Represents Texas in legal disputes

    • Defends or challenges laws in court

    • Issues legal opinions to state and local officials

    • Enforces certain state consumer protection and other laws

Races & Candidates

For each race, we'll tell you who's running and what the office actually does.

  • The Legislature writes and votes on state laws and budget. These decisions affect:

    • Reproductive healthcare and abortion policy

    • Voting laws and election administration

    • Public and higher education funding

    • Housing, transportation, and workforce programs

  • Courts interpret state laws and decide cases involving:

    • Civil rights and civil liberties

    • Criminal justice

    • Environmental and regulatory disputes

    • Government accountability

  • The State Board of Education helps set standards for what students learn in Texas public schools and oversees aspects of education funding and curriculum.

  • County officials influence:

    • Local elections administration

    • Jails, courts, and public safety

    • Public health services

    • Infrastructure and emergency response

  • Candidates: Sarah Eckhardt, Donald Huffines, Shehla Faiz, V. Alonzo Echevarria-Garza

    The Comptroller manages Texas’ finances and revenue estimates. This office influences:

    • State budget projections

    • Funding available for education, healthcare, and infrastructure

    • Tax policy and fiscal transparency

  • Candidates: Clayton Tucker, Nate Sheets, Alfred Molison, Austin Kelly


    The Agriculture Commissioner oversees agriculture, food systems, and certain consumer protections. This role affects:

    • Food access and nutrition programs

    • Rural economic development

    • Agricultural regulation and safety standards

  • Candidates: Dawn Buckingham, Benjamin Flores, Neil Sneider

    The Land Commissioner manages state-owned lands and mineral rights. This office influences:

    • Energy production and environmental stewardship

    • Disaster recovery and coastal protection

    • Revenue generated from public lands for education funding

  • Candidates: Bo French, Jon Rosenthal, Arthur DiBianca

    The Texas Railroad Commission regulates oil, gas, pipelines, and parts of the state’s energy system. This office influences:

    • Energy production and infrastructure

    • Environmental protections and safety standards

    • How natural resources are developed and managed across Texas

 How Statewide Races Shape the Issues

    • What the issue is

      • Policies that shape access to reproductive healthcare, including contraception, maternal care, and abortion.

    • Why does this issue matter?

      • Texas is known for having the strictest abortion laws in the country, affecting access to abortion, contraception, pregnancy care, and emergency medical treatment. Laws passed in Texas have influenced policies in other states and at the federal level.

    • Who decides in Texas?

      • The Texas Legislature passes laws around legality, regulating access and funding.

      • Statewide officials help enforce or challenge these laws.

      • Courts interpret how the laws are applied and enforced.

    • Questions to consider when researching candidates:

      • How does the candidate describe the role of the government in healthcare decisions?

      • What principles guide their approach to bodily autonomy, reproductive healthcare, and abortion access?

      • How do they talk about the impact of reproductive healthcare and abortion access on young Texans and families?

    • What the issue is: State involvement in border operations, law enforcement, and policies affecting immigrant communities.

    • Why does this issue matter?

      • Texas plays a major role across the country in border enforcement and immigration policy, affecting how communities within our state experience law enforcement, access services, and live their lives. Decisions made at the state level shape daily life for immigrants, border communities, and families across Texas.

    • Who decides in Texas?

      • State leaders create and fund border initiatives and communicate with federal agencies.

      • Legislators pass laws impacting local enforcement and community resources.

      • Courts decide legal challenges related to civil rights and constitutional challenges.

    • Questions to consider:

      • How do candidates describe the state’s role compared to the federal government’s role in immigration and border policy?

      • How do they talk about community safety, civil liberties, and human impact of policies?

      • Do they discuss collaboration with local communities and service providers?

    • What the issue is: Rules that shape how Texans register to vote, how elections and voting are run, and participate in elections.

    • Why Does This Issue Matter

      • Texas sets many of the rules for how and when people can vote, which affects access to the ballot, polling locations, and election administration. These decisions can make voting simpler or harder.

    • How Texas government is involved:

      • The Texas Legislature sets most voting and election rules, including voter registration and ID requirements.

      • Counties run elections, manage and determine polling locations, and recruit election workers.

      • Courts review challenges to election laws and procedures (including on Election Day!)

    • Questions to consider:

      • How do candidates talk about access to voting and election administration? 

      • Do they support changing current laws around voting and elections? If so, what changes do they advocate for?

      • Do they acknowledge barriers facing young,first-time, or student voters?

    • What the issue is: Policies that affect the affordability of housing, education, transportation, healthcare, and daily necessities.

    • Why does this issue matter?

      • Rising costs for housing, education, transportation, healthcare, and everyday expenses affect whether young Texans can afford to live, study, and work in their communities. State decisions play a major role in shaping these costs and opportunities.

    • How Texas government is involved:

      • The state budget affects everything from which services and programs are available, to higher education and public school funding, tuition costs and financial aid.

      • State policy shapes housing development, transportation, and workforce programs.

    • Questions to consider:

      • How do candidates talk about affordability and opportunity?

      • What priorities do they emphasize in budgeting decisions?

      • How do they address the realities facing students and young workers?