It’s not known how many applications have been unprocessed. Counties will receive a backlogged surge less than two weeks before the Oct. 5 deadline to register for the Nov. 3 election.
State Government
Stay informed on Texas state government with The Texas Tribune’s in-depth coverage of the governor, Legislature, state agencies, and policies shaping the future of Texas.
Posted in
Health care
U.S. Supreme Court declines to give surrogate custody of baby she birthed in Dallas
McKenna West fled to Texas to give birth last month, saying she could not trust the biological parents after they asked her to get an abortion.
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2026 Texas Elections
James Talarico is moderating on gender, climate issues in his competitive Senate election
Republicans have seized on his past votes and comments to argue he will revert to his most progressive positions if elected, while Talarico’s campaign insists he has remained consistent.
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2026 Texas Elections
Texas and feds announce noncitizen voting charges against seven people
State officials also referred 117 people for investigation related to noncitizen voting, but confirmed nearly 600 other flagged voters are U.S. citizens.
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Environment
Gov. Greg Abbott broadens moratorium on data center approvals to include environmental permits
The move is the latest in a series of escalating efforts by the governor to slow data center development in Texas ahead of November’s election.
Posted in
Environment
Despite state law, only eight of 160 utility companies have filed wildfire response plans
Lawmakers recently learned of the slow progress made by the companies, which have four months to come under compliance with the law prompted by the 2024 Panhandle wildfires.
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Health care
Texas Supreme Court rules baby delivered by surrogate can leave Texas
The decision clears the way for the 1-month-old’s biological parents to relocate him from Dallas to Los Angeles, where the couple lives, to seek treatment there. Their surrogate wants him in Texas.
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Graphics and data reporting
What to know about possible border barriers in Big Bend
The Trump administration has said the remote West Texas region needs measures to stop illegal immigration. But a bipartisan group of elected officials is pushing to halt that plan, especially in the national park.
Posted in
Immigration
Texas officials are cracking down on “illegal birth tourism.” Here’s what that means.
Texas officials have sued a Houston area postpartum center as well as investigated Rio Grande Valley hospitals over allegations of soliciting foreigners to have babies on U.S. soil.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Texas land commissioner 2026: Who is running and what you need to know
The General Land Office oversees investments that earn billions of dollars for public education, manages state lands, operates the Alamo and administers disaster recovery funds and benefits to Texas veterans. Here’s a look at who’s running in the 2026 race and where they stand.
