Elections

A Texas senator is questioning what he calls a major loophole in the state's new school voucher program. KERA's Sujata Dand reports that families whose children attend non-participating private schools that don't participate in the program can still receive up to $2,000 for educational expenses. President Donald Trump’s expected visit to Lubbock next week to campaign for Republican Senate Candidate Ken Paxton has had a change in schedule, now overlapping a rally from Paxton’s opponent, Democrat representative James Talarico on the same day.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas is dropping its Medicare Advantage plans. KERA’s Abigail Ruhman reports people who rely on those plans will have to move to a different one starting in 2027. Lubbock County reports high turnout for the first day of early voting, as major candidates announce events to garner support from West Texans. President Donald Trump will make his first appearance in Lubbock to stump for Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton on Oct. 27, while Paxton's opponent, Democrat James Talarico, is set to appear on Texas Tech campus the same day.

The candidates running to be Texas' new agriculture commissioner have traded jabs over whether their opponent is even eligible for the office, But the Texas Standard's Michael Marks reports the pair now say their argument won't last past Election Day. Quail season begins on Nov. 1, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says it expects a quality hunting season, with a new survey indicating good population numbers for bobwhite and scaled quail in the High Plains and Rolling Plains regions.

Early voting for the Nov. 3 election starts today. Our Charley Maranville has what you need to know before heading to the polls. Find more on how to see what's on your ballot, local polling locations, and candidate interviews here. A longtime Día de los Muertos celebration in San Antonio has been canceled amid concerns about federal immigration enforcement. Texas Public Radio's Brian Kirkpatrick reports the decision has disappointed residents who have made the festival an annual tradition.

Counties must now process affected voter registrations before Monday, when Texans can start voting early in the midterm elections.

Early voting in the Nov. 3 general election runs from Oct. 19 to Oct. 30, and there are many competitive races on the ballot for this midterm year. You can find election details and search your address for the items on your ballot here.

U.S. Congressional District 19 is up for election in the midterms and there are two newcomers competing for the office. Kyle Rable is the Democrat running for the position. He sat down with KACU to discuss his platform, largely built around serving working class West Texans.

U.S. Congressional District 19 is up for election in the midterms and there are two newcomers competing for the office. Tom Sell is the Republican candidate for the position. KTTZ sat down with him to discuss some of the issues that are top of mind for West Texans and the experience he would bring to the office.

The seat to represent Texas’ Senate District 28 in the state legislature is on the ballot in the November midterm elections. The seat is currently held by incumbent Charles Perry, who is facing against his first opponent since he was elected in 2014. KACU interviewed the first-time candidate Riley Rodriquez about his campaign and priorities.