7TH EDITION • AUGUST 2023
Texas Voter Poll
A strong appetite for legislative solutions to pressing challenges like water security, education, electric grid reliability, health care costs and housing affordability.
1,000
Registered Texas voters
Aug. 22 — 29
2023
±3.1%
Margin of error
Baselice & Associates
Conducted by
KEY FINDINGS
Strong Support for Public Schools and Rigorous Accountability Standards at a Time of Deep Concern for the Future of Texas
An increasing number of Texas voters have significant worries about the future of Texas with nearly half believing that Texas children today will have less opportunity to succeed than prior generations, according to the 7th Texas Voter Poll, conducted at the end of August by Baselice & Associates for Texas 2036, a nonpartisan, nonprofit public policy organization.
46% of Texas voters believe children today will have worse opportunities to succeed while 30% believe they will have better opportunities. That’s a reversal from the January 2022 poll results when 41% believed children will have better opportunities and 29% believed they will have worse opportunities.
Do you believe that Texas children today will have the same opportunities, better opportunities or worse opportunities to succeed than previous generations have opportunities had?
65% of Texas voters are either extremely or very concerned about the state’s future. While a slight improvement from what we recorded in September 2022, the current figure is 10 points higher than what we measured in January 2022 and 34 points higher than what we measured in January 2020 before the pandemic hit.
Which best describes your level of concern regarding the future of Texas?
96% of Texas voters agree that the strength of a community’s public education system is important, with 89% indicating that it’s extremely or very important.
Which best describes how important it is for your community to have a good public school system?
70% of Texas voters selected teaching students to read at grade level as the most or next most important element of a good school. College or career readiness was cited by 59% of voters as a leading element of a good school. Teaching students to do math at grade level was named an important element by 47% of voters. Other items were rated as much less important for a school to be a good one. Extracurricular activities were identified as an important element by 9% of voters while a strong sports program was named by 5% of voters.
Which of the following is the most important element of a good school?
80% of Texas voters expressed support for the Texas Education Agency’s proposed initiative to elevate the standards for school ratings. Under this new framework, the benchmark to attain an “A” rating would rise substantially, requiring 88% of students to graduate prepared for either college or a career.
The State of Texas rates public schools on an A to F scale based on its success at achieving student learning outcomes. What percentage of students do you believe should need to graduate high school ready for college or a career for that high school to be rated an A?
wpDataChart with provided ID not found!CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Texas Voters Ready to Sign Off On Billions for Critical Infrastructure
As the clock ticks down to November’s critical vote on 14 constitutional amendments, the 7th Texas Voter Poll presents compelling support for legislators’ actions during the regular session to set aside billions of revenue surplus dollars for Texans to vote on to shore up the state’s critical infrastructure.
Would you vote for or against the constitutional amendement…
97%
Emphasized the critical need for energy to remain as affordable as possible for all Texans.
87%
Expressed concern that weather-related events may increase what they pay for property insurance.
41%
Think that Texas’ climate has changed dramatically over the past 10 years.
A.J. Rodriguez
Executive Vice President, Texas 2036
“Establishing these constitutionally-dedicated funds for investments in the security of our water future, the continued growth and quality of our state parks system and broadband expansion are long-term, high-impact investments in securing our state’s continued economic prosperity.”
Top Texas Voter Poll Findings: Extreme Weather
The summer of 2023 regularly featured stories about extreme heat and severe drought conditions across Texas. At the same time, the news media has been reporting on insurance companies raising rates and even leaving other state markets due to worsening extreme weather trends. Texas 2036 asked voters about their perception of the state’s weather trends.
Which best describes how concerned you are that weather-related events in Texas such as wildfires, floods, drought, and hurricanes may increase what you pay for property insurance?
Energy Affordability
Amid global market volatility and the emergence of new technologies that are changing the energy landscape, we delved into the perspectives of Texas voters about what is important to them during this evolving energy paradigm.
A staggering 97% of Texas voters emphasized the critical need for energy to remain as affordable as possible for all Texans.
New technologies, including energy storage or batteries, carbon capture, hydrogen, electric vehicles and renewable energy may impact future energy markets, products and prices. Please (Phone: tell me / Web: indicate) if each of the following is extremely important, very important, somewhat important, not that important or not at all important for Texas.
METHODOLOGY
How the Poll Was Conducted
Baselice & Associates conducted the survey of 1,000 registered Texas voters from August 22-29, 2023.
The poll carries a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Due to rounding, percentages on charts may not add up to 100%.
Respondents were reached through three collection methods to ensure a representative sample of the Texas electorate.
Live phone interview: 52%
Web: 35%
SMS: 13%
ARCHIVE
Previous Texas Voter Polls
Each edition captures a snapshot of Texas voters’ priorities at a distinct moment in the state’s history.
7TH EDITION
AUGUST 2023
Affordability and Workforce Top Voter Concerns
Rising housing costs and workforce readiness emerged as dominant themes. Voters across party lines backed investment in technical education and job training.
Issues: Education, Energy, Health Care, Property Insurance
6TH EDITION
FEBRUARY 2023
Voters see budget surplus as opportunity to tackle long-term issues
Texas voters indicate strong support for using budget surplus to increase public education and water infrastructure funding along with lowering property taxes.
Issues: Education, Water, Cybersecurity, Property Insurance, State Parks
5TH EDITION
SEPTEMBER 2022
Voters outline a roadmap to a bright future
Texas voters are increasingly concerned about the state’s future, but their support for solutions on core-governance issues offers leaders a roadmap for strengthening voter confidence and moving Texas forward.
Issues: Economy, Government Performance, Education, Workforce, Criminal Justice, Infrastructure
4TH EDITION
JANUARY 2022
Post-Uri: Water and resilience in focus
A year after Winter Storm Uri knocked out electricity and water across Texas, a new poll shows most voters share deep concerns about extreme weather, and they support an expanded approach to the state’s economic future and infrastructure challenges.
Issues: Economy, Education, Energy, Health Care, Government Performance
3RD EDITION
SEPTEMBER 2021
Voters look for long-term solutions
Texas voters are increasingly concerned about the state’s future — and they overwhelmingly want leaders to take advantage of billions of federal stimulus dollars coming to Texas to facilitate long-term solutions.
Issues: Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, State Parks
2ND EDITION
JANUARY 2021
Texas voters express concern about the future
Conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, this poll found economic recover and public health topping voter concerns.
Issues: Health Care, Workforce, Education
FROM THE BLOG
