Here are four things to keep in mind when you see a poll on a statewide race in Texas.
Texplainer
Welcome to The Texas Tribune’s “Texplainer” series, where we answer questions from readers like you.
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Texas Elections 2018
Libertarians, independents and write-ins: Here are Texas’ non-major party options in 2018
Texas has eight independent candidates running for office, and the Libertarians will be on the statewide ballot once again.
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Guides
Some voters say they’re inundated with political spam this year. Is there a way to make it stop?
Political speech is protected by the First Amendment, so candidates can get around bans on spam. But just asking to be taken off a list will usually work.
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Guides
Texas teachers’ health care explained: State program was created to save districts money, but a few want out
Nearly 90 percent of Texas schools are enrolled in TRS-ActiveCare. Some say the program saves teachers money, though complaints are growing about the state’s stagnant per-month contribution.
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Guides
Can separated immigrant children just walk out of shelters? Technically, yes.
The shelters are designed to keep kids in, but they’re not detention facilities, and in most cases staff can’t forcibly stop a child from leaving.
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Guides
Why does Texas have so many counties? A history lesson.
Texas has 254 counties — far more than any other state. The reason? The state is huge, and its founders wanted to keep residents close to their local governments.
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Families Divided
What’s happening at the border? Here’s what we know about immigrant children and family separations
More than 2,000 children have been separated from their families at the border. Here’s the latest on what’s happening at the border, in Washington and among Texas politicians.
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Texas Elections 2018
In Texas, lawmakers have to live in their districts. But good luck proving it if they don’t.
The state law that defines residency requirements is hard to enforce.
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Guides
Hurricane season starts June 1. Here are some ways Texans can prepare.
People along the Texas coast should consider buying insurance, packing an emergency supply kit and learning their evacuation routes now.
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Guides
In Texas, Democrats can vote in the Republican primary — and vice versa. How do party leaders feel about it?
“If you’re voting in a gubernatorial election … it’s a drop in the bucket,” says one Republican strategist.