The Election Process in Texas | Texapedia

Elections Legal History Structure & Constitution

Constitutional Amendment Elections in Texas

Brief overview of constitutional amendment elections in Texas, including how they are called and how they work.

Texapedia StaffApril 9, 2023

dollar bills

Elections Taxes & Finance

Bond Elections in Texas

Comprehensive overview of the purpose of bond elections, how they work, and the role of bonds in local government finance.

Texapedia StaffMarch 18, 2023

campaign painting mayor

Elections

Mayoral Elections in Texas

While Texas municipal ballots omit party labels, the campaigns themselves are rarely free from ideological signals.

Texapedia StaffJune 7, 2025

Elections

Recall Elections in Texas

Recall elections in Texas are a procedure by which citizens of a municipality can remove an elected official from office before expiry of their term.

Texapedia StaffMarch 12, 2023

Petition Election Texas

Elections Local Government

Charter Amendment Elections in Texas

This guide explains the process of charter amendment elections, legal requirements, and examples of how home-rule cities revise their local charters.

Texapedia StaffJune 5, 2025

Campaign signs for judicial candidates in Richardson, Texas, November 2024.

Elections Judiciary

Judicial Elections in Texas

Unlike states where judges are appointed or nominated by a commission, Texas elects almost all judges, except in cases of vacancies.

Texapedia StaffApril 28, 2022

Row of voting machines in Texas with election officials in background.

Elections Integrity & Efficiency

Voting Machines and Election Security in Texas

Texas election law imposes multiple layers of election security. Learn how voting machines in Texas actually work.

Texapedia StaffJune 13, 2025

austin tax rate election campaign poster

Elections Taxes & Finance

Tax Rate Elections in Texas

Comprehensive overview of the purpose and process of tax rate elections, also called rollback elections, in Texas local politics.

Texapedia StaffNovember 20, 2022

Oil painting of town square in Texas, 1920s setting, politician on flatbed truck is speaking to crowd.

Elections

Primary Elections in Texas

Guide to Texas Primaries: Who Can Vote and How They Work

Texapedia StaffNovember 20, 2022

Texas ISD trustee meeting

Education Elections

School Board Elections in Texas

School districts in Texas may conduct trustee elections using at-large voting, single-member districts, or a hybrid system combining both.

Texapedia StaffMay 30, 2025

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The basic nature of humanity is unchanging through the ages. Politics changes, technology, the economy, the environment, culture—all change. Yet humankind tends to repeat the same follies and to forget hard-learned lessons, age after age. For this reason, the ancient book of wisdom known as Ecclesiastes observed, "What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, 'See, this is new'? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after” (Eccl. 1:9-11, ESV).

The study of history reminds us of the pitfalls, challenges, and triumphs of our forebears. It is not always a happy story (“All things are full of weariness," Eccles. 1:8), but it is a worthy pursuit for those seeking wisdom. History gives us not only knowledge of the past but also understanding of the present age: how it came to be, the forces that have shaped it, and insights into the nature of humanity itself.

As you explore Texas history, we invite you to imagine yourself living in another age. Try to picture yourself in the shoes of different people—leaders and common folks alike. This is how history becomes more than a ledger of events; its telling and retelling invite us to reflect, imagine, and grow.

There is no single “correct” way to read or write history. Yet beware of idealized versions of the past—simplistic, black-and-white narratives with distinct ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys,’ often crafted for political ends. Such histories are easy to grasp and may feel morally compelling. But wisdom doesn’t necessarily come from reading history in a simple, idealized way. Instead, try grappling with nuance, search out details, ask probing questions, and consider perspectives that may not align with your own.

History need not be boring. At its best, it is a discipline that sharpens the mind, cultivates empathy, and helps us to know ourselves more deeply.

— Texapedia Staff

Texapedia is not affiliated with any political party, and the articles on this site are written in an encyclopedic tone. Yet a project like this is inherently political in a broader sense: it deals with government and civic life, and our stated mission is to equip citizens with knowledge to “reform what is lacking in their government while conserving what is good about it.”

This sounds simple enough, since we live in an age of abundant knowledge: search engines, AI chatbots, and digital repositories can provide us with reams of information on almost any topic in an instant. Yet many Americans are too distracted to take in any of it. Ours is also an age of addictive social media, viral outrage, and “bingeworthy” entertainment.

There is also a crisis of authority. Americans no longer know who to trust, what information is reliable, and how to separate noise from substance in public discourse. The information environment is chaotic and disputatious. Information is rarely presented in coherent, organized ways that provide context and detail. Instead, many Americans learn about the world around them through TikTok, Instagram reels, 100-word tweets, or cable news sound bites. The nation is more politicized than ever—yet less connected, less communal, less trusting.

Here at Texapedia, we look on these developments with concern. You can read more of our perspective in the essay Toward Civic Renewal: Recovering Sobriety in a Frivolous Age.

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