By Kamryn Anthis | Staff Writer
From the U.S. Senate to the governor’s mansion, Texas voters will decide several major races this November — and Baylor students have until Oct. 5 to make sure they are registered to participate.
The Nov. 3 general election ballot includes races for U.S. Senate, all 38 of Texas’ seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, governor and other statewide and local offices.
President Linda Livingstone said Baylor views civic engagement as part of students’ education, particularly when it involves learning how to navigate political disagreements.
“We take very seriously preparing our students to engage in difficult conversations in a respectful way,” Livingstone said. “We view this political process as a really good learning laboratory for our students in a rather divisive time in our country.”
U.S. Senate
Texas voters will elect one U.S. senator to a six-year term. Republican Ken Paxton, Democrat James Talarico and five libertarian, independent or write-in candidates are on the ballot.
Paxton, former Texas attorney general, defeated incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican primary runoff following an endorsement from Donald Trump. Talarico, an Austin-area state representative, defeated U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett for the Democratic nomination.
Paxton’s campaign rests on his conservative commitment to “America First” policies, focusing on topics such as border restrictions, abortion restrictions, public health policies and strengthening the American Christian identity.
Talarico focused much of his campaign on affordability, political corruption and reducing the influence of wealthy donors in government. He has emphasized “loving thy neighbor” and protection of “human rights.”
Each state has two U.S. senators, who represent the entire state. Senators write and vote on federal legislation, confirm presidential nominees and federal judges and conduct impeachment trials, among other responsibilities.
House of Representatives
All 38 of Texas’ seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are on the ballot this year. Unlike senators, representatives serve individual congressional districts and are elected to two-year terms.
Texas’ congressional map changed following a 2025 redistricting effort, meaning some Texans vote in different districts than they did in the previous election.
Waco is within Congressional District 17, where Republican incumbent Pete Sessions and Democrat Casey Shepard are on the ballot.
Shepard has focused her campaign on issues affecting working- and middle-class Texans, including affordability and economic opportunity. Sessions, a longtime Republican congressman, has emphasized conservative priorities including border security, reducing federal spending, gun rights and opposition to abortion.
Members of the U.S. House introduce and vote on federal legislation, and the chamber has constitutional powers that include originating revenue bills and bringing articles of impeachment.
Governor
Texas voters will also elect a governor to a four-year term. Republican incumbent Greg Abbott, Democrat Gina Hinojosa and five libertarian, independent or write-in candidates make up the gubernatorial ballot.
Abbott is seeking a fourth term as governor and hopes to keep the nation conservative. Hinojosa currently represents District 49 in the Texas House. She campaigns on the belief that Abbott has been in office for too long.
The governor signs or vetoes legislation passed by the Texas Legislature, makes appointments to state offices, serves as the commander-in-chief of the state’s military forces and can designate emergency items for lawmakers to consider.
These races represent only part of the Nov. 3 ballot. Texans will also vote for lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, land commissioner, agriculture commissioner and other federal, state and local offices. An individual registered to vote in McLennan County can view sample ballots on the McLennan County Elections Website.
McLennan County Elections Administrator Jared Goldsmith encouraged students to research the candidates before casting their ballots.
“It’s important to have your voice heard; not everybody in the world gets the opportunity to vote and choose their leaders as we have here in the United States,” Goldsmith said. “That is something that we should not take for granted. We should make sure we’re exercising our right to vote to have our voices heard.”
The final day to register to vote in Texas is Oct. 5th. Students can register on campus, at the McLennan County Elections office and at various other locations around Waco. The last day to apply for a ballot by mail is Oct. 23.
“Right now, the most important thing is to get registered to vote and do your research,” Goldsmith said. “Informed voters are the best voters.”
