6TH EDITION • FEBRUARY 2023
Texas Voter Poll
Infrastructure, education, and state parks receive strong support from Texas voters.
1,000
Registered Texas voters
Feb. 1 — 6
2023
±3.1%
Margin of error
Baselice & Associates
Conducted by
KEY FINDINGS
Generationally impactful investments gain overwhelming thumbs up
The future of Texas – and how Texas legislators can continue to address big looming problems – take front and center on what Texas voters agree upon in Texas 2036’s 6th Texas Voter Poll, conducted in early February by Baselice & Associates for Texas 2036, a nonpartisan, nonprofit public policy organization.
The Texas legislature began this session with a $32.7 billion surplus. Please (phone: tell me / web: indicate) if you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose each of the following possible uses of the state’s $32.7 billion surplus.
90%
Expressed concern about housing affordability.
76%
Favor allowing advanced practice nurses to provide more primary care in those areas without adequate primary care physicians.
70%
Think most working Texas parents do not have access to affordable childcare options.
Margaret Spellings
President and CEO, Texas 2036
“This Texas Voter Poll shows how Texas legislators can make this session about the future of our state. With almost nine out of 10 voters expressing support for spending $5 billion to fix our aging water infrastructure, Texans recognize the need to fix this growing problem. Legislators can provide property tax relief and ensure future access to clean water. They can strengthen the public education and child welfare systems, invest in community colleges so more Texans attain high-paying jobs, and invest in our state’s infrastructure, including broadband, parks, and a modern, resilient state government.”
ADDITIONAL FINDINGS
Education
A new study shows that only 19% of Texas schools’ reading lessons prepare students to read at grade level, but Texas does not require schools to buy high-quality instructional materials paid for with state funds. Knowing this, would you be in favor of the state requiring schools to use instructional materials that have been reviewed by the state and shown to be higher quality?
Law Enforcement
More than six in 10 of Texas voters said that they trust their local law enforcement to handle crime and public safety issues. But they also indicated that they would not back efforts in the Legislature to make less transparent the state’s system that governs the separation of a peace officer from their employers.
If a police officer is fired for misconduct, their department is required to report it to the state, which gives notice to other departments that may consider rehiring the officer in the future. The Texas legislature is considering removing any description of misconduct from this report. If police departments stopped this reporting of officer misconduct, would your trust in law enforcement increase or decrease?
METHODOLOGY
How the Poll Was Conducted
Baselice & Associates conducted the survey of 1,000 registered Texas voters from February 1-6, 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
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