Evaluation criteria

Do we really need to worry about vouchers passing this time? YES!

Vouchers proposals have been floating around the Texas Legislature for decades – ever since the 50’s when vouchers were popular in the South as a tool to avoid integrated schools.  They have never passed.  Do we really have to worry that they will pass now?

The short answer is YES.

Governor Abbott called four special sessions in 2023 for the express purpose of passing a voucher bill.  Still he did not get it passed. In the last voucher related vote of the last special session, all Democrats and 21 Republicans in the House voted against vouchers, defeating it 84 to 63. 

Governor Abbott vowed to unseat these public school supporting Republicans in the primaries, and with the help of large donations from out of state donors, he did manage to get rid of several of them.

Abbott has promised that vouchers will be considered again in the next legislative session.

Assuming that (1) all candidates who voted for vouchers in 2023 will vote that way again, and (2) all candidates who are endorsed by Abbott will vote for vouchers if they win in November, here’s how the math breaks down:

  • In 2023 the vote on vouchers was 84 against vouchers, 63 in favor.  Vouchers lost by 21 votes.
  • Nine of the Republicans who voted against vouchers, were defeated in the Republican Primary by Abbott-endorsed candidates.  If all of those candidates win in November, the vote on vouchers would be 75 against vouchers, 72 in favor.  Vouchers lose by 3 votes.
  • Five of the Republicans who voted against vouchers did not seek re-election.  Of those, 3 of the Republicans who will be running in their place in November are Abbott-endorsed candidates, 2 are not.  If all 3 of the Abbott endorsed candidates win in November, the vote will be 72 against vouchers, 75 in favor.  Vouchers win by 3 votes.
  • If the 2 Republicans who were not endorsed by Abbott end up voting for vouchers anyway, the vote will be 70 against vouchers, 77 in favor.   Vouchers win by 7 votes.

So, to defeat vouchers again in the upcoming legislative session, we need to flip three to five likely “Voucher – Yes” seats in the November elections. Let’s flip Districts 13 & 56! Vote for candidates who will vote No on vouchers and YES to prioritizing public schools!