Voters across Texas head to the polls and cast their ballots on Tuesday in both state-wide and local races and propositions. 

“I am excited that I now get to participate in voting,” senior Mason Classe said. “I think voting is very important because it gives people the most direct influence on not only their national government but also on decisions that are made at the local level. Many times, these more localized elections have a more direct impact on our lives than those at national levels.”

Voters are weighing in on 17 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution that focus on topics from tax exemptions to parental rights and denying bail.

“I feel worried about this current election,” senior Vihaan Raizada said. “With 17 propositions, voter turnout will be important and awareness of the proposed legislation should be increased. I’m choosing to vote because I believe that every vote matters, and it’s part of our civic duty to do so.”

Senior Mahi Kosuri can’t vote until the 2026 midterm election but previous experience and research on elections have further emphasized the importance of a single vote in her eyes. 

“Voting allows an individual’s ideas and values to be expressed in their representation,” Kosuri said. “I think it is important to stay educated about your representatives and what they stand for. For example, I have done research for ballotpedia in increasing access to candidate information and did phone banking for primary and local elections across the nation. Furthermore, oftentimes the people that vote are on extreme sides, and when everyone shows up to vote, everyone’s ideas are represented.”

Reading up on candidates and issues before entering voting centers and becoming more familiar with what’s on the ballot is essential for every voter according to debate teacher Michelle Porter.

“I think it’s really important that students vote,” Porter said. “However, I think it’s even more important that students are informed before they vote. This is not a joke. So if students are running to the polls and just voting for whoever, for whatever reason—just simply blindly voting—it does not help us. We need to have informed young people out there making decisions.”