5: Elections and Political Participation in Texas
- Page ID
- 129123
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)
After reading this chapter, you should be able to:
- Analyze both formal and informal historical barriers to voting and participation in Texas.
- Explain the current registration process and voting requirements in Texas.
- Discuss the factors that affect voter turnout and political participation in Texas.
- Evaluate the key elements of political campaigns, focusing specifically on how they are administered and financed.
- Describe the purpose of the different types of elections.
If I take a ballot selfie while casting my vote, am I breaking the law? (Figure 5.1)
Well, who doesn’t like to take a good selfie? But if you are thinking of taking a selfie in the voting booth in Texas, think again. Each state has its own laws regarding ballot selfies or even phones in the voting booth. In Texas, phones and other wireless communication devices are by law not allowed within 100 feet of a polling place. But what about a mail in ballot? Well, for those of you voting from home, there is nothing in Texas law that addresses photos and mail in ballots. So, if you are filling out a mail in ballot, get the lighting ready and say cheese!