Texans pride themselves on independence, grit, and democracy. Unfortunately, when it comes to representation, the average citizen faces a stacked deck. While Texas government is modeled on the federal system, the rules and structures in place often make it harder for everyday Texans to have a real voice. Here are the top ways fair representation is undermined in our beloved state:
1. The Lowest-Paid Legislature in the Nation
Texas legislators earn just $7,200 per year plus a small per diem. This means only the wealthy, retired, or those backed by special interests can afford to serve. Working-class Texans are effectively shut out of running for office.
2. Barriers to Voting
Texas is ranked the hardest state in the country to vote in. Strict voter ID laws limited early voting, and reduced polling locations disproportionately affect seniors, students, low-income residents, and communities of color.
3. Extreme Gerrymandering
District lines are drawn to benefit those already in power. Communities are split apart to dilute their voting strength, while partisan districts ensure that elections are often decided before a single vote is cast.
4. Big Money, Big Influence
Texas allows unlimited political contributions from wealthy donors and corporations. This means lobbyists and special interests drown out the voices of everyday Texans.
5. Barriers to Third Parties and Independents
Independent and third-party candidates face some of the highest signature and filing requirements in the nation. This limits political competition and forces voters into a two-party box.
6. State Takeover of Local Control
Local governments in Texas cities and counties often pass laws reflecting their communities, but the state legislature routinely overrides these measures, stripping local citizens of their ability to govern themselves.1
7. No Direct Democracy
Unlike many states, Texans cannot propose laws or constitutional amendments by citizen petition. Every ballot measure must come from the legislature, leaving voters with no way to directly push reform.
8. Politicized Courts
Texas elects judges in partisan elections. Judicial candidates rely on campaign donations and party backing, making our courts vulnerable to political and corporate influence instead of impartial justice.
9. Voter Roll Purges
The state has repeatedly attempted to purge voter rolls using flawed data2. Eligible voters, especially naturalized citizens and minorities, risk being wrongly removed, creating confusion and distrust in the system.
10. Dilution of Minority Voting Power
Federal courts have repeatedly found that Texas maps intentionally weaken Latino and Black representation. Combined with polling place closures in minority areas, this systematically reduces their political influence.
The Bigger Picture
When you add it all up, Texans face a democracy designed to protect those in power rather than empower the people. From gerrymandering to voting restrictions to corporate money, the obstacles to fair representation are real and deliberate.
But awareness is the first step. The more Texans understand how the system is stacked, the more we can work together to demand reforms that strengthen democracy, not weaken it.
Call to Action
Share this guide. Talk to your neighbors. Register to vote, make a plan to cast your ballot, and encourage your community to do the same.
Use our November 2025 Voting Guide to stay informed on the upcoming Texas constitutional legislation so you can cast an educated vote.
Push for reforms like independent redistricting, fair pay for legislators, and expanded voting access. Democracy works best when it works for all of us.
Footnotes
- Examples include:
2023 “Death Star Bill” (HB 2127):
This sweeping law stripped cities of the ability to regulate in areas like labor, agriculture, natural resources, and commerce, unless explicitly authorized by the state. Cities like Houston, San Antonio, and El Paso sued, calling it an attack on local democracy. A Travis County judge briefly struck it down as unconstitutional, but appeals are ongoing.
Plastic Bag Bans:
Several Texas cities (like Austin, Laredo, and Brownsville) passed ordinances banning single-use plastic bags. In 2018, the Texas Supreme Court struck them down, ruling that state law preempted city bans.
Paid Sick Leave Ordinances:
Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio passed local ordinances requiring employers to offer paid sick leave. Each was blocked by courts after state business groups argued the laws conflicted with state minimum wage law.
Ride-Share Regulations:
Cities like Austin tried to regulate companies like Uber and Lyft, but in 2017, the Legislature passed a statewide law overriding local rules and setting lighter requirements. ↩︎ - Evidence includes: In 2019, the Texas Secretary of State flagged nearly 100,000 registered voters as potential non-citizens, but federal courts found the list deeply flawed. Many of those targeted were naturalized citizens. Lawsuits forced the state to abandon the purge and highlighted how such efforts threaten legitimate voters ↩︎
Mechanical engineering graduate from the University of Houston, born and raised in Texas, shaped by hard work, and like many of you, deeply frustrated with the state of our politics. My background in engineering trained me to solve complex problems, think critically, and pursue solutions rooted in logic and evidence, skills I now apply to cut through political noise and uncover what truly serves the people of Texas.