Texas

Liberal In Texas

(14,489 posts) Sun Nov 3, 2024, 10:59 AM Nov 3

Ever wonder why in Texas Repubs get listed first and Democrats second on all the ballots?

Why Republican candidates are listed first in every race on every ballot in Texas

Texas voters casting their ballots in the November general election may notice that in every race, the Republican candidate is listed first. It's no coincidence — the order is mandated by state law.

Some states randomize the ballot order or list candidates alphabetically. In Texas, voters see Republicans first, no matter where they live. In a general election, the Texas election code calls for the order to be determined by "the number of votes received statewide by each party's candidate for governor in the most recent gubernatorial general election," according to the Harris County Clerk's office, the department that runs elections.

The rule in the state election code dates back to 1985, when Mark White was governor.
In Texas primary elections, the order of the candidates' names on the ballot is determined by a drawing.

I don't care if it was a Dem or a Repub who started this, it's stupid.

4 replies

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Ever wonder why in Texas Repubs get listed first and Democrats second on all the ballots? (Original Post) Liberal In Texas Nov 3 OP

They aren't in KY. Dems are first, and we are a red state. Meadowoak Nov 3 #1

With a Democratic governor. TwilightZone Nov 3 #2

Thank you Meadowoak Nov 3 #3

Yep. And Ballot Order has been shown to be important! SorellaLaBefana Nov 4 #4

Meadowoak

(6,215 posts)

1. They aren't in KY. Dems are first, and we are a red state.

Reply to Liberal In Texas (Original post)

Sun Nov 3, 2024, 11:09 AM

Nov 3

TwilightZone

(28,833 posts)

2. With a Democratic governor.

Reply to Meadowoak (Reply #1)

Sun Nov 3, 2024, 11:20 AM

Nov 3

As noted in the article, TX determines ballot order based on the party of the winning candidate in the prior general election for governor.

On that same basis, Democrats would be first in KY, though I think KY uses a drawing.

Meadowoak

(6,215 posts)

3. Thank you

Reply to TwilightZone (Reply #2)

Sun Nov 3, 2024, 11:36 PM

Nov 3

SorellaLaBefana

(229 posts)

4. Yep. And Ballot Order has been shown to be important!

Reply to Liberal In Texas (Original post)

Mon Nov 4, 2024, 08:22 AM

Nov 4

Posted on this recently when we filled out our ballots. It was so disheartening. Had no idea of what the *origin* of this was—simply assumed was Corruption—and not, as you have reported, Chance.

The first thing which struck us was that the ‘Republican’ (remember when that was not MAGA?) candidate was always the first listed for each position.

I seemed to recall, and was able to confirm, that multiple studies over decades have shown that the first candidate listed is more likely to receive a disproportionate share of the votes contrasted with those further down the listed order.

There are about half-a-dozen frequently quoted studies showing this ‘Primacy’ or ‘Ballot Listing Position Effect’...
.

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