8TH EDITION • DECEMBER 2024
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.
1,001
Registered Texas voters
Nov. 16 — 20
2024
±3.1%
Margin of error
Baselice & Associates
Conducted by
KEY FINDINGS
A strong appetite for legislative solutions to pressing challenges
Survey respondents indicated a strong appetite for legislative solutions to pressing challenges like water security, education, electric grid reliability, health care costs and housing affordability.
79%
Want parents informed if their child is struggling in school
Voters say schools should notify parents as early as Kindergarten.
83%
Say prisons shouldn’t be too hot
Texas voters say the maximum indoor temperature in Texas prisons should be 78°F, on average.
47%
Want restrictions on Artificial Intelligence
Many voters prioritize restricting its use due to safety and privacy concerns.
David Leebron
President and CEO, Texas 2036
“Ahead of the next legislative session, Texans are sending a powerful message that they will support pragmatic approaches to create greater opportunity for all.”
Healthcare Affordability Is Front and Center For Texas Voters
Concern about the rising price of healthcare stood out in this year’s survey of Texas voters.
- 71% say that they’re paying more for healthcare—including insurance premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.
- 87% say they are concerned about investment groups and financial entities influencing medical decision-making in the doctor’s offices and hospitals in which they have an ownership stake.
Which best decribes your level of concern regarding investment groups and financial entities influencing medical decision-making in the doctor’s offices and hospitals in which they have an ownership stake?
Texas voters aren’t just concerned about the impact of ownership on the price of healthcare—they want more clarity into who exactly the owners are.
- 91% say Texans should have a right to know who owns their hospitals, doctors’ offices and health insurers.
- 75% say the Texas state government should more actively regulate healthcare mergers to ensure the market remains sufficiently competitive.
Concerns About Water Availability
Water is essential to Texas’ economy and communities, but 85% of voters are concerned that the state could face future water shortages.
Which best decribes your level of concern regarding the risk of future water supply shortages?
The growth of the economy and population, persistent drought and aging infrastructure have stretched resources to their limits, .
- 85% of Texas voters say the state of Texas should invest in a long-term water funding strategy designed to increase water supplies and improve infrastructure.
- 68% favor the Texas Legislature dedicating an additional $1 billion per year to the Texas Water Fund over upcoming decades to meet growing water needs.
Housing Affordability
Earlier this year, a statewide poll indicated that an overwhelming majority of Texans are feeling the crunch as housing prices have risen. So, in our poll, we tested solutions.
A strong majority (84%) support allowing homeowners to build additional housing, such as garage apartments or tiny homes, on their existing lots.
Do you agree or disagree that homeowners should have the right to build an additional home, such as a garage apartment or tiny home, on their own property?
Childcare
Close to three in four, or 74%, of voters expressed concern about the availability of affordable childcare in Texas.
When respondents were asked to prioritize a list of potential investments that the state government could make in child care, 62% select improving the quality of care and education delivered at child care providers as their first or second choice.
Which best describes your level of concern regarding the availability of affordable childcare in Texas?
High school and workforce readiness
A majority of voters (61%) believe that Texas high school students are not graduating prepared for the workforce or future economy.
A resounding 91% agree that high school students should have access to workforce training or credential programs that provide a certification that allows them to graduate ready to compete for good-paying jobs.
Do you agree or disagree that all Texas high school students should have access to workforce training or credential programs that provide a certification which allows them to graduate ready to compete for good-paying jobs?
Electric grid reliability
A majority of voters (53%) say they lack confidence in the reliability of the state’s electric grid.
To help meet the increased demand for electricity, 59% support a proposal for a $5 billion investment of state funds to double the size of the Texas Energy Fund, which supports building new natural gas power plants.
Texas lawmakers are considering a proposal to spend $5 billion of state funds to double the size of the Texas Energy Fund, which provides financial support to companies to build new natural gas power plants and is intended to help meet the increased demand for electricity. Knowing this, do you favor or oppose this proposal?
METHODOLOGY
How the Poll Was Conducted
Baselice & Associates conducted the survey of 1,001 registered Texas voters from November 16 to 20, 2024.
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: 51%
Web Survey: 35%
Text-to-Cell: 14%
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
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