Texas Governor Greg Abbott has scheduled the state’s general election for November 5, 2024. The proclamation, released yesterday, mandates that the election take place on the traditional first Tuesday after the first Monday of November, as required by law. According to the governor’s office, Texans will vote for a variety of positions on the upcoming ballots, including state and district officers, members of the Texas Legislature, representatives to the United States Congress, and the crucial Electoral College votes for president and vice president.
Governor Abbott’s official announcement was straightforward and procedural: “I, GREG ABBOTT, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, DO HEREBY ORDER A GENERAL ELECTION to be held throughout the State of Texas on the first Tuesday next after the first Monday in November 2024, being the 5th day of November 2024.” The governor’s office underlined the importance of accessibility and adherence to the Texas Election Code, notably Section 3.003, which requires the orderly administration of elections. The proclamation acts as a formal notice to the people of Texas, directing each county judge to carry out the election at the precinct level.
The planning and execution of this election occur at a critical juncture, as Texans, and indeed Americans overall, grapple with a slew of important concerns that have defined political debate in recent years. We anticipate that voter turnout and the ensuing political decisions will significantly influence the future trajectory of the state and nation, encompassing healthcare, immigration policy, the economy, and climate change.
The official proclamation paper now bears the Seal of State, underscoring the governor’s authority over the upcoming election. “IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereto signed my name and have officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed at my office in the City of Austin, Texas, this the 19th day of August, 2024,” the document’s title states.