Past Contributions

• Nearly 18% of registered Texas voters cast 2022 primary ballots

  by Mandi Cai and Sneha Dey Updated: March 24, 2022

  Texas has a history of a dismal turnout rate in primary elections. This year’s turnout was higher than the last six midterm primaries. Still, less than 1 in 5 registered voters participated. Full Story 

• Early voting in Texas’ March 1 primary election starts Feb. 14

  by Alexa Ura and Mandi Cai Jan. 31, 2022

  Texans will head back to the polls — from Feb. 14-25 for early voting and on election day, March 1 — for the 2022 primary election. Here’s an overview of what Texans need to know about casting a ballot. Full Story 

• Search the newly updated Government Salaries Explorer

  by Chris Essig and Mandi Cai Jan. 24, 2022

  The Texas Tribune’s database of Texas state employees’ compensation is updated to represent salaries as of Jan. 1. It includes detailed data for the 112 agencies in state government and positions at each of those agencies. Full Story 

• Texas’ primary election is March 1. Here’s what you need to know to vote.

  by Alexa Ura and Mandi Cai Jan. 17, 2022

  The last day to register to vote was Jan. 31. The last day to apply for a ballot by mail is Feb. 18. Early voting runs from Feb. 14-25. Full Story 

• Texans getting COVID-19 vaccine boosters outpace those getting first shots as omicron bears down

  by Allyson Waller and Mandi Cai Dec. 23, 2021

  So far this month, at least 1.2 million Texans have gotten booster shots — nearly triple the number of people who received their first doses of the vaccine during the same time. Full Story 

• Texas has new political maps. See which districts your home is in.

  by Carla Astudillo, Kalley Huang and Mandi Cai Updated: Aug. 26, 2022

  This year’s elections will take place using newly redrawn political maps for the state’s congressional, House, Senate and Board of Education districts. Search your address to see how the new districts will affect your community. Full Story 

• With surgical precision, Republicans draw two congressional districts that dilute power of Hispanic and Asian voters

  by Alexa Ura and Mandi Cai Oct. 15, 2021

  The GOP is losing its hold on suburbs of Dallas and Fort Worth as they grow more diverse. Two new districts show how far the party is reaching to entrench rural, white electoral power. Full Story 

• Amid a sharp rise in COVID-19 deaths this summer, more Texans under 60 are dying

  by Karen Brooks Harper and Mandi Cai Sept. 24, 2021

  Health officials say that the state’s high rate of unvaccinated people contributed to a summer surge in hospitalizations, which preceded the spike in deaths. Full Story 

• After the omicron surge in early 2022, COVID-19 cases declined in Texas schools

  by Kalley Huang, Mandi Cai and Brian Lopez Updated: March 18, 2022

  Student and staff COVID-19 cases declined after districts reported their highest levels in January since the pandemic began. But the data is incomplete and likely an undercount. Full Story 

• At least 45 districts shut down in-person classes due to COVID-19 cases, affecting more than 40,000 students

  by Allyson Waller, Kalley Huang and Mandi Cai Sept. 3, 2021

  Caseloads have left districts scrambling when many have said they have fewer tools at their disposal to combat the spread of the virus. Full Story