🎴 Do You Want To Help Save Texas? Please Become A Precinct Chair.

The grassroots movement to flip Texas starts with you!

I’ve closely been watching the primary election early voter turnout numbers in both the Republican and Democratic primaries. While we won’t have a good feel of how Democrats did in this primary election, it’s important to remember that turnout in primary elections is not an indicator of turnout in general elections.

Using primary election turnout as an indicator of general election turnout is grounded in the understanding that different dynamics are at play in these two types of elections. Factors such as the appeal of the general election candidates to a broader electorate, the national political environment, and specific issues of concern to voters at the time of the general election can significantly influence turnout.

That being said, we need to discuss the importance of precinct chairs if Texas wants to flip and become a blue state.

For example, one Texas County in 2018 did an experiment on which voters were contacted and which weren’t.

• 70% of voters contacted by their precinct chair turned out to vote.

• In precincts where there was no chair, and voters weren’t contacted, only 38% of voters showed up to vote.

This is why precinct chairs are paramount in flipping Texas.

What is a precinct chair, and what do they do?

A precinct is the smallest unit of the Democratic Party. Each county has dozens or even hundreds of precincts, depending on the size of your county. All the precincts are under the direction of your county party, and the county parties are under the state party.

A single precinct usually consists of your neighborhood and includes adjoining areas.

A precinct chair is elected, but when you first sign up to become a precinct chair, your county party will appoint you if the position is empty. Still, you must be on the ballot in the next election.

As a precinct chair, you will organize within your precinct/neighborhood and help with elections. In addition, you can attend conventions, get involved in committees within your county party, and, most of all, have a ton of fun doing it.

What’s the current situation in Texas?

In Texas, spread out among every county, there are a total of 9,364 precincts. Of that:

• Republicans have 4,443 precinct chairs.

• Democrats have 3,302 precinct chairs.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Republicans are more mobilized than Democrats and put a greater emphasis on precinct chairs. This is one of the if not the biggest, factors in Republican turnout vs. Democratic turnout.

The following information is all from the Texas Secretary of State.

Now, if we look at some of the early voting numbers (we’re still in early voting of a primary election, so don’t panic), you can see a direct relation between the number of precinct chairs and who has turned out to vote so far.

Let’s take Dallas to start with:

• There are 366 Democratic precinct chairs, and the Democratic turnout (so far) is 27,438 ballots.

• There are 276 Republican precinct chairs, and the Republican turnout (so far) is 18,011 ballots.

There are more Democratic precinct chairs in Dallas, and we see that in the votes.

Looking at it statewide, Republicans have 1,141 more precinct chairs than Democrats, which is why 67% of the primary turnout (so far) has been Republicans.

Let’s look at Harris County, which is blue, but Republicans have been fighting for control for years.

• There are 544 Democratic precinct chairs, and the Democratic turnout (so far) is 40,606 ballots.

• There are 551 Republican precinct chairs, and the Republican turnout (so far) is 43,776 ballots.

The Republican’s number one strategy in Texas for many years has been emphasizing precinct chairs.

The Republican Party treats precinct chairs as royalty. Precinct Chairs have tons of support and training and are highly regarded within the GOP. Texas Republicans throw balls for precinct chairs and give out awards. Many GOP precinct chair races are competitive, meaning multiple people run for one chair position.

The GOP’s precinct chair strategy also involves rigorous training on recruiting and involving neighbors. Within a precinct, the chair usually has block captains and up to five volunteers, getting the word out about elections and getting to the polls.

Many people in Texas are working to change this, and there are indications that the Texas Democratic Party under Executive Director Monique Alcala has been pushing and training county chairs to recruit more precinct chairs. We just aren’t there yet.

I looked high and low for studies showing that having more precinct chairs equates to a higher turnout, but I couldn’t find much. However, some studies show personal contact with voters can increase turnout from 5% to 15%.

• We could have flipped Texas in 2018 with a 5% higher turnout.

• We could have flipped Texas in 2020 with a 7% higher turnout.

• We could have flipped Texas in 2022 with a 9% higher turnout.

As the age-old adage goes, Texas is a non-voting state.

We have the voters to flip this state. It’s only a matter of getting them to the polls.

Source: Texas Politics Project

When political insiders and talking heads discuss “political infrastructure,” they refer to precinct chairs and the county parties that support them.

While the Texas Democratic Party is frantically trying to turn that around, recruiting and retaining active precinct chairs relies solely on each county party. And right now, in Texas, 65% of the Democratic precinct chair positions remain vacant. (Republicans have 53% of positions vacant.)

When we connect the boots-on-the-ground precinct chairs to voter turnout, and you see where we are, it should make more sense why Texas has the lowest voter turnout in the nation.

The State Party connects with the County Parties, which connect with the Precinct Chairs, and there are a million tentacles in place to get messages out, get out the vote, or regularly engage with voters.

Having precinct chairs in the big blue counties is crucial.

Democrats dropped the ball in 2022 in the urban areas. This is why the blue team lost so badly in the last election.

Texas is the 15th most urban state in America. 83% of Texans live in urban areas. Democrats in Texas can win with an urban-first strategy. (Sorry to my rural friends. I know it grinds your gears, but I promise you’re important, too.)

Having more precinct chairs in the top 12 most populous counties in Texas is what we need to flip this state blue.

We still need precinct chairs even if you don’t live in one of those 12 counties. There are blue counties not in the Big 12 (like Hays and Webb) that still need as many precinct chairs as possible to keep it blue. And even acquiring more precinct chairs in red counties can go a long way, especially in local races and flipping the overall state.

So, which 12 counties and how many more precinct chairs do they need?

The following information came from the Capitol Data Portal and the Secretary of State.

• Harris County currently has 46% of its precinct chair positions filled.

• Dallas County currently has 44% of its precinct chair positions filled.

• Tarrant County currently has 32% of its precinct chair positions filled.

• Bexar County currently has 36% of its precinct chair positions filled.

• Travis County currently has 68% of its precinct chair positions filled.

• Collin County currently has 41% of its precinct chair positions filled.

• Denton County currently has 23% of its precinct chair positions filled.

• Fort Bend County currently has 43% of its precinct chair positions filled.

• Hidalgo County currently has 29% of its precinct chair positions filled.

• El Paso County currently has 33% of its precinct chair positions filled.

• Montgomery County currently has 58% of its precinct chair positions filled.

• Williamson County currently has 58% of its precinct chair positions filled.

Of course, this isn’t to shame any county chair or say that one county is trying harder than another but to highlight how important it is to fill as many precinct chair vacancies as possible.

With the current landscape of precinct chair vacancies across Texas, the pathway to turning Texas blue hinges on strategic recruitment and engagement at the local level. The data underscores a significant opportunity: by filling these vacancies, Democrats can amplify their outreach and potentially transform voter turnout in pivotal counties.

The Strategy Moving Forward

The following steps for the Texas Democratic Party and its county affiliates should focus on three key areas:

1. Targeted Recruitment in High-Impact Counties

Prioritizing the counties with the highest percentages of unfilled precinct chair positions offers the most immediate opportunity for impact. Recruitment efforts should be data-driven, focusing on demographics and areas where Democratic support has been strong but turnout low. By deploying resources strategically, the party can maximize its influence on future elections.

2. Enhanced Training and Support

Newly recruited precinct chairs need more than just a title; they require training, resources, and ongoing support to be effective. This includes understanding voter registration data, mastering outreach techniques, and leveraging digital tools for communication. By creating a robust support system, the party can ensure these volunteers are prepared and motivated to make a difference.

3. Engaging the Community Through Personal Outreach

The impact of personal contact on voter turnout cannot be overstated. Precinct chairs should be equipped to organize local events, door-to-door campaigns, and phone banking sessions that inform and energize the electorate. This grassroots approach helps build community and personal investment in the political process.

Texas Democrats need to build a culture of participation if we want to flip this state.

Ultimately, transforming Texas into a blue state requires a cultural shift towards greater political participation. This means filling precinct chair vacancies and fostering an environment where volunteering for political campaigns is valued and encouraged. Recognizing and celebrating the contributions of precinct chairs can help create a more vibrant and committed volunteer base.

Contact your local party if you want to become a precinct chair.

There are many great reasons why YOU should become a precinct chair.

1. You get to network with all of the local Democrats in your county. You’ll attend meetings, events, and social gatherings where you can share ideas and strategies and support each other’s efforts.

2. You’ll be able to connect with like-minded neighbors. You’ll directly engage with neighbors who share your values, building a stronger sense of community.

3. You can influence your county party decisions, including platform development and candidate endorsements.

4. The Democratic Party will give you access to training and resources. This can include everything from voter registration drives to digital organizing tools and enhancing community organizing.

5. Serving as a precinct chair is a fantastic way to develop leadership skills. You’ll gain experience organizing events, communicating with the public, and managing volunteers, all valuable in political and professional contexts.

6. As a precinct chair, you become a visible figure in the local political landscape. This can lead to further opportunities within the party, including potential candidacy for higher office or appointments to committees and boards.

7. Perhaps the most significant perk is the opportunity to make a real difference in your community and the political process. Whether it’s increasing voter turnout, supporting local candidates, or advocating for policies that align with your values, your efforts as a precinct chair can have a lasting impact.

8. Engaging in political and community activism can be deeply rewarding. Knowing that you’re contributing to the democratic process and working to advance causes you care about can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Being a precinct chair blends community engagement, political influence, personal development, and the satisfaction of contributing to the democratic process. It’s a role that allows you to connect with like-minded individuals and empowers you to make a difference in your local area and beyond.

Again, contact your local party if you want to become a precinct chair.

Are you serious about turning Texas blue, have the ability, and can spare a few hours a month? Please consider becoming a precinct chair. We need you.

Important 2024 primary election days:

• March 1, 2024: Last Day of Early Voting.

• March 5, 2024: Election Day!

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