Americans cast a record-breaking 93 million early ballots, putting the 2020 election on track for historic levels of voter turnout. During early voting in Texas, 9,727,874 people — 57.4% of registered voters — voted in person and by mail, surpassing the total number of votes cast in 2016. In 2016, 8,969,226 Texans cast a ballot in the general election, and Texas has added 1.8 million registered voters since then. Turnout on Election Day brought this year’s overall percentage turnout to 66%, surpassing 2016’s turnout. (The Texas Tribune) For this, we say Thank You!
So what next?
The 87th Texas Legislature doesn’t begin until January 12, but state lawmakers started filing legislation on November 11. Many state leaders and our own community partners expect the upcoming session to be one of the toughest seen in years. The state is forecasting billions of dollars in shortfalls to the state budget, which the coronavirus pandemic has fueled. On top of that, lawmakers face the once-in-a-decade process of redrawing the state’s political maps.
The Texas Women’s Foundation is keeping our eye on several issues and will be selecting some of these issues to carry forward in our Advocacy agenda. We look forward to working with our Advocacy grantees and also bringing together partners from across the state to engage and mobilize around priority issues.
Congratulations to the new Texas Women’s Foundation Advocacy Grantees
- Alliance For Justice
- Child Care Group Dallas Early Education Alliance
- Texas Appleseed
- Texas Housers
- The Texas Tribune
- Young Invincibles
Driving meaningful change in public policy is a powerful way to make real progress in advancing our shared vision of an equitable society for women and girls – and a better Texas for all. So stay tuned for the 87th Legislative Session and we’ll see you in January!
Thank you for being part of our Army of Advocates!