The Rio Grande Valley follows statewide voting trends in the number of people who go to the polls. In the November 2020 general election, 52% of Cameron County voters cast ballots. Hidalgo County voters surpassed their Cameron County neighbors by a few points, with 57% of registered voters actually casting votes.
But this year is a midterm election, meaning there is no presidential candidate on the ballot who normally attracts more voters. Nonetheless, Texans should show up to the polls for some very important local, statewide and district-based elections to select those who will represent our interests closer to home.
State leaders, such as the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, land commissioner and agriculture commissioner, are up for election. Additionally, all U.S. representatives, state senators, state representatives and members of the State Board of Education will be on the ballot after the redrawing of political districts that took place last year based on the 2020 U.S. Census. Leaders selected for the Texas Board of Education also, interestingly, draw for two- and four-year terms following the first post-redistricting election. State senators do the same. Some Texas communities, including in the Rio Grande Valley, will also hold elections for city, county and school board offices.
Recent events could help turn the tide on voter participation in Texas during this midterm election. A check on election results from the November 2020 election in Hidalgo County showed a total of 392,604 votes cast. The elections department website notes that as of Sept. 26, 414,770 people have registered to vote in the 2022 midterm. That’s an increase of almost 6% and a sign that more people are tuned in to this election season.
The political landscape continues to change, especially in the Rio Grande Valley, and the stakes are higher than they’ve ever been. Issues like education, workforce development, medical care, infrastructure and other important needs of our communities are on the ballot. For example, this midterm in Cameron County, voters in Point Isabel ISD will decide on a school bond that would provide millions of dollars for classroom improvements and athletic facilities like a natatorium, and Port Isabel residents will also vote on street and drainage infrastructure projects. Hidalgo County voters will decide on mayoral candidates and municipal court judges who will lead communities throughout the Rio Grande Valley. These elections have a direct impact on people. Elections like this matter.
To increase voter participation, in 2015 lawmakers of the 84th Texas Legislature signed a 10-year resolution calling for Valley Voter Awareness Month. We recognize this in September as a time to raise awareness about voting, celebrate democracy, educate students and adults about the importance of voting, engage people in the political process and empower them to take an active role in voting. Community members including businesses, colleges and universities, hospitals, veterans’ groups, religious entities, nonprofits, community organizations and financial institutions like IBC Bank have embraced this initiative.
So please participate and encourage others to do the same. As Thomas Jefferson stated, “We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.”
The last day to apply to vote by mail is Oct. 28. Early voting runs from Oct. 24 to Nov. 4.
Cameron County races and election information can be found on the county website: https://www.cameroncountytx.gov/elections/ or by calling the elections office at 956-544-0809. Sample ballots, polling locations and instructions for how to vote in Hidalgo County can be found on the county’s election site at https://www.hidalgocounty.us/105/Elections-Department or by calling the elections department at 956-318-2570.
Adrian Villarreal is the CEO of IBC Bank McAllen and Al Villarreal is the CEO of IBC Bank Brownsville.
