On this week’s TribCast, Alexa talks with Evan, Matthew and Alex about the results and implications of the primary runoff elections and how voting went in the first statewide election during the coronavirus pandemic.
Alexa Ura
Alexa Ura reported for The Texas Tribune from 2013 to 2023. She covered the complex dynamics of race, ethnicity, wealth, poverty and power and how they are shaping the future of Texas and Texans, in the long and short term. Alexa started at the Tribune as a reporting intern before graduating from the University of Texas at Austin and joining the staff full time. Originally from Laredo on the Texas-Mexico border, she is a native Spanish speaker and is based in Austin.
Posted in
Texas 2020 Elections
Runoff elections show Texas not quite ready for November’s main event
Most in-person voting Tuesday ran smoothly, but thousands of voters who sought to vote by mail may not be heard. And returns from the secretary of state’s office were balky.
Posted in
Texas 2020 Elections
It took a doctor’s note and mad dash to Sonic for this coronavirus sufferer to vote
Linda Harrison and her husband couldn’t go to the polls because they were diagnosed with COVID-19. A state judge rebuffed their request for help obtaining absentee ballots, so Harrison scrambled and managed to get her vote in with four minutes to spare.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas runoff elections show stress of coronavirus pandemic on state’s voting systems
Disabled and older voters have encountered the most problems navigating mail-in balloting as they try to avoid going to polling places. In-person voting has been generally smooth so far in the low-turnout runoffs.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Two major Texas counties are trimming polling locations as workers pull out over coronavirus
Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to not require voters to wear masks is driving away some poll workers, officials say.
Posted in
TribCast
TribCast: Mask orders, convention drama and the road ahead for reopening schools
On this week’s TribCast, Alexa talks to Matthew, Cassi and Aliyya about the governor’s mask order, the politics of canceling political conventions and challenges ahead for reopening schools.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texans begin voting Monday in runoff elections. Officials are doing what they can to make it safe.
Delayed primary runoffs mark the state’s first test of voting during the pandemic and a high-stakes dry run for November. “We’re saying our prayers,” one elections administrator says.
Posted inState Government
U.S. Supreme Court declines Texas Democrats’ request to allow all Texans to vote by mail
The high court declined to immediately reinstate a federal judge’s order that would have allowed all Texans to request absentee ballots if they fear catching COVID-19 at crowded polling places.
Posted in
Texas Voting Rights
What problems did you encounter while trying to vote in Texas during the coronavirus pandemic?
We want you to help us report on the challenges Texans face when trying to vote and how the pandemic is affecting elections. Share your experiences with us.
Posted in
Demographics
Texas’ Hispanic population grew by 2 million in the past decade, on pace to be largest share of state by 2021
New U.S. census estimates show the gap between Hispanic and white populations in the state continues to narrow, and Hispanics are projected to become the largest population group a year earlier than previously expected.