With the voter registration deadline on Oct. 7, local leaders and community advocates in the Houston area are ramping up efforts to ensure that every eligible voter is prepared to cast their ballot, and that they turn out to vote on Nov. 5.
The urgency is particularly high in Houston’s Black community, where past voter suppression tactics and systemic barriers have highlighted the importance of turnout and civic engagement.
The push for voters
Houston, one of the most populous and diverse cities in the United States, has long been a battleground for voter registration efforts. As of recent reports, Harris County has over 2.6 million registered voters, but hundreds of thousands more remain unregistered. This number is especially concerning given Texas’ growing population and the influx of younger, more diverse residents who are underrepresented at the polls.
Voter registration drives are in full force, led by organizations like the NAACP, the League of Women Voters, and local grassroots groups. Across the United States, members of Divine 9 organizations are uniting around a singular mission: increasing voter turnout in the US election this year. From sharing videos to posting voter registration links on their large Instagram accounts and developing voter turnout initiatives in secret group chats, members are using their Black Greek networks and social networks to bring more people to the polls.
“Through voter registration drives, candidate forums, and political awareness initiatives, D9 organizations help empower African Americans to make their voices heard in local elections,” said Cliff McBean, president of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. “By increasing voter turnout and participation, particularly within African American communities, D9 organizations contribute to the larger goal of ensuring that leadership at the local level is representative and responsive to the needs of all citizens, creating a more just and equitable society.”
While Divine 9 organizations do not officially endorse candidates, historically, they have made voter turnout and registration a pillar in their service initiatives.
Black Greek organizations are not only organizing online publicly but privately as well. Unofficial secret GroupMes are being started with the purpose of increasing voter turnout throughout their communities. The privacy of the group allows members to share information on key campaign platforms for both candidates, create strategic planning for voter registration in underserved communities, and share opinions on candidates without the pressure of maintaining official protocols.
Why it matters in the Black community
The Black community in Houston, which makes up roughly 22% of the city’s population, has a long history of political engagement dating back to the Civil Rights Movement. However, voter suppression tactics, including restrictive voter ID laws, gerrymandering, and reduced access to early voting, have historically targeted this group.
“Ensuring high voter registration and turnout is vital not only for representation but also for tackling issues that disproportionately affect the Black community, such as economic inequality, education, healthcare, and criminal justice reform,” said political strategist Sharon Watkins Jones
Recent elections have shown the power of the Black vote. In 2020, Black voters in Houston played a crucial role in narrowing the gap in statewide races, and similar patterns were observed in the 2018 midterm elections. However, the state’s low voter turnout rates, particularly among minority groups, demonstrate that there is still significant room for improvement.
Analyzing past elections
In the 2020 presidential election, Texas saw its highest voter turnout in decades, with nearly 67% of registered voters casting a ballot. This marked a 10% increase from the 2016 election. While Houston saw high levels of participation, there were still notable disparities in voter turnout among racial groups. For example, while the turnout among white voters exceeded 70%, turnout among Black and Latino voters was significantly lower, hovering around 50-55%.
The 2018 midterms also illustrated the importance of local and state elections. Despite an increased effort to mobilize voters, Texas ranked near the bottom of voter turnout compared to other states, and Harris County was no exception. Yet, those elections proved critical for local races, particularly judicial and school board elections that impact day-to-day life in communities of color. The upcoming 2024 election promises to be another pivotal moment, with state, local, and federal offices on the line.
Box
Voting data
By the Numbers
Harris and Fort Bend Counties
Registered voters
Harris: 2.6 mil
Fort Bend: Nearly 550,000 people
Population
Harris: 4,731,145
Fort Bend: 822,779
*U.S. Census
Voters in the 2020 presidential election?
Harris: 2,480,522 registered voters
1,633,557 voted (65.86%)
1,434,022 early votes (57.81%)
Fort Bend: 482,368 registered voters
356,908 voted (73.99%)
327,292 early votes (67.85%)
What’s at stake?
The 2024 election cycle will determine not only the next president but also numerous state and local officials, including members of Congress, judges, and school board representatives. These elections are crucial, as decisions made at the state and local levels will have direct effects on education funding, criminal justice reform, voting rights, and healthcare access—issues that disproportionately affect Black residents in Houston.
“Your local elections determine your city and county priorities, and state representatives make policies and implement budgets that impact schools, infrastructure, safety, health care and so much more,” said Katie Campbell Shumway, executive director for the League of Women Voters of Houston.
Low voter turnout is a perennial concern, as is a gap in voter registration. In Harris County, about 20 ZIP codes have less than 80% of their eligible population registered to vote.
“When a large percentage of people abstain from voting, elected officials may not represent the will of the people,” Campbell Shumway said.
Battling voter suppression
Voter suppression efforts continue to be a concern. In 2021, Texas passed one of the most restrictive voting laws in the country, limiting mail-in ballots, tightening ID requirements, and imposing penalties for voter assistance. These new restrictions could further suppress turnout in the Black community unless there is a concerted effort to register and mobilize voters.
The redrawing of congressional districts in Texas has raised alarm bells, as some maps appear to dilute the voting power of Black and Latino communities by spreading these voters across multiple districts. This practice, known as “racial gerrymandering,” could limit the political influence of communities of color, making it even more important for those who are registered to show up and vote.
The fight for voter registration in Houston, especially within the Black community, is more important than ever. Community leaders are doubling down on outreach, education, and mobilization efforts to ensure that no voice goes unheard.
“Voter Registration is up in all parts of the city. Voter Registrars are actively going to barber shops, churches, high schools and college campuses. There appears to be an increased enthusiasm among the 18-40 year old demographic,” said voter registrar Pam Gaskin. “Now, we have to get those people out.”
DN Online: Complete voting coverage
- Targeting young voters
- What is Gen X’s role in Election 2024?
- The Divine Nine Impact
- Blacks in politics discuss youth voter mobilization
- What K-12 teachers can do to create future voters
Check your status
Amid the state’s recent purging of voter rolls, residents are encouraged to check their voter registration information or register to vote if they have not already done so. Registered voters can go to the Harris County Tax Office’s to ensure all of their information is updated.
Early voting
Mon., Oct. 21-Fri., Nov. 1.
Election Day, Tues., November 5
688 vote centers will be open Election Day
Houston Voters Guide available
The League of Women Voters of Houston is a nonpartisan resource designed to empower voters by providing clear, accessible information about candidates and the elected offices that will appear on the ballot.
The Guide also features responses from candidates focusing on issues relevant to the office they seek. All candidate responses are published exactly as submitted, maintaining the Guide’s strict nonpartisan stance.
“Our mission is to ensure that every Houstonian is informed and prepared to cast their vote with confidence. We do not endorse any candidates, but instead provide the platform for voters to learn directly from them in a neutral, unbiased manner.” -Katie Campbell Shumway, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Houston. “
HoustonVotersGuide.org.
