The latest 2020 elections news from The Texas Tribune.
While a panel of the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals put one federal judge's ruling on hold, the Texas Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a separate case aimed at limiting mail-in voting. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7c19652210eaf0154892c83e95888fcf/Mail%20in%20Ballot%20Form%20Voting%20MG%20TT%2006.jpg)
In a year when four justices face reelection, the all-Republican high court has made a slate of controversy-generating decisions, including lifting a moratorium on evictions and — for now — limiting voting by mail in this year’s elections. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/482181562326f58b71adb9eff7fbe44d/Texas%20Supreme%20Court%20MG%20TT%2015.jpg)
We sat down for a live virtual event with Eckhardt to discuss her campaign to succeed former state Sen. Kirk Watson and get her take on how the coronavirus pandemic has reshaped her campaign. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0a59e6853bb6e319c35e89d053611eab/TTE_vSEckhardt_leadart.png)
The state Supreme Court's order comes one day after a state appeals court had allowed the expansion to stand while a legal case was appealed. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d938b75c82be121c236072f3003101b7/Mail%20in%20Ballot%20Form%20Voting%20MG%20TT%2001.jpg)
A steady stream of endorsements has been illuminating some of the battle lines between MJ Hegar and Royce West as they vie to take on U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8a8ab9175cded3ad39c931bfa685cd85/West%20Hegar%20Split%20TT.jpg)
The Heath Republican is on track to be confirmed as the director of national intelligence, which would create a vacancy in his solidly red district. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/06/05/RatcliffeJohn1CMS.jpg)
The civil rights group is raising questions of constitutionality and violations of the federal Voting Rights Act because the pool of voters eligible to vote by mail based on age is predominantly white. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5f9c250715f2cda4825df8cd940bbf52/Mail%20in%20Ballot%20TT.jpg)
In a series of tweets and a public statement, Paxton said eligibility for absentee voting has not been expanded. But a state judge's order says otherwise. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/16f76b3e67dfc90ca1aaae47295f8678/AG-Paxton-SCOTUS-0004.JPG)
Early voting for the July 14 runoffs will begin June 29, instead of July 6, under a proclamation issued Monday by Gov. Greg Abbott. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/58c23dcc167e5c695a606fe3d2cbe333/Primary%20Election%20Signs%20EG%20TT%2003.jpg)
One group, Everytown for Gun Safety, has already committed $8 million to the state this election cycle and is now naming three hires, including two seasoned Democratic operatives, to help see the plan through. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4f3b208702d1ee445efc204c392c7985/txtrib-Guns-CCR018%20TT.jpg)
We sat down for a live interview with Rodriguez, D-Austin, to discuss his campaign to succeed former Sen. Kirk Watson and get his take on how the coronavirus pandemic has reshaped his campaign. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9f4d181e34c91452eded1fa04d4b27b5/TTE_ERodriguez_leadart-tt.png)
Even some Democrats who are dissatisfied with the president give good marks to Texas' Republican governor, according to a University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll of the state's voters. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9f0be826613771974949e59d59f245cb/Abbott%20April%2017%20Presser%20MG%20TT%2007.jpg)
President Donald Trump leads former Vice President Joe Biden by 5 points in the race for president in Texas, but voters give the president mixed grades on his handling of the pandemic and the economy. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b0437a9e10759ae92263bdf72d227508/Donald%20Trump%20and%20Joe%20Biden%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
There's no partisan split among Texas voters when it comes to assessing Congress' performance: 53% of Democrats and 57% of Republicans disapprove of the job federal lawmakers are doing. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e397343fd2afed8f0cd5b6d81e66f797/US%20Capitol%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
President Donald Trump leads Democrat Joe Biden by 5 points in the race for president in Texas, but voters give the president mixed grades on his handling of the pandemic and the economy. They think Gov. Greg Abbott is doing a better job. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8700a98bff726a66629345935141281a/UT%20TT%20Poll%20Leadership.jpg)
Olson retired from the Air Force amid a contracting scandal. Some Democrats worry the circumstances will make her vulnerable as she runs for a battleground U.S. House seat. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/66dbb0402f95b80fea30ed538ae66f38/TTEvents_Kim_Olson_1_jj_TT.jpg)
Other states may be shifting to increased mail-in voting, but Texas' GOP leaders are fighting efforts to expand the practice. That leaves local elections officials to try to make polling places safe in a pandemic. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1897688765d98f4bde46fd6392510a4c/Voting_in_Katy_TX_PYH_TT.jpg)
The 2020 election year was already momentous, and then a pandemic broke out, demanding the full attention of the voters whom politicians depend on. Everything from how we vote to when we vote is now in question. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e9cc85463b0f1a77a6f8c45e39bdf9a7/Austin%20Closures%20MG%20TT%2001.jpg)
A state district judge issued a temporary injunction expanding who can qualify for an absentee ballot for the upcoming elections. The decision faces certain appeal as Democrats and Republicans clash over voter access. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/81c9da53207033f52e08714094eaa6b6/Election%20Day%20Signs%20EG%2001.jpg)
The Texans' campaigns are announcing their latest fundraising numbers ahead of an end-of-day deadline to disclose them to the Federal Election Commission. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/14ae02e101591c1d8b21b2d9b7555eb3/Cornyn%20Hegar%20West%20TT.jpg)