It’s harder to vote in Texas than any other state, and for a variety of reasons, most Texans don’t. We’re launching a tool to make it easier to navigate.

We’ve built a one-stop shop where you can receive instant updates via text on crucial deadlines and context on the elections overall. We’ll send smart notifications based on your registration status and when you decide to vote. And if you can’t find the information you’re looking for, send a question directly to our journalists.

The Texas Tribune is throwing the weight of our entire newsroom behind examining democracy: what democracy means and how it affects our daily lives. We believe informed Texans are healthier Texans, and this tool aims to provide the structure, context and accountability you need to fully participate in this year’s election.

We’re eager to experiment with new formats, such as text messaging, to continue our commitment to meeting readers where they are. When we speak with our audience, we hear a big refrain: a need for action. Readers want to be more informed and engaged, but don’t know where to start: How can they be more active in legislation, or – most crucially in 2024 – more involved with elections?

The Tribune has never done something like this before; at our core is a spirit of experimentation. We’ll be learning alongside our audience: What questions do you have about elections? How can we answer or guide you to resources that will make you feel less overwhelmed by the prospect of voting, registering or gathering enough to feel informed about your decisions? Let us know how we’re doing and how we can continue to build tools that empower you to participate in our democracy.

We can’t wait to see what questions you have. Sign up and test it out with us.

 Learn about The Texas Tribune’s policies, including our partnership with The Trust Project to increase transparency in news.