2026

TEXAS YOUNG VOTER GUIDE

Know the candidates. Know the issues. Know your ballot.

Who Are We Voting For?

Two statewide races on the 2026 Texas ballot

GOVERNOR

U.S. SENATE

R

Greg Abbott

Republican

D

Gina Hinojosa

Democrat

L

Pat Dixon

Libertarian

R

Ken Paxton

Republican

D

James Talarico

Democrat

L

Ted Brown

Libertarian

2026 Texas Young Voter Guide

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Gas, Groceries & Housing

Affordability proposals from each candidate

GOVERNOR

R

Greg Abbott

Republican

• Tax and property-tax reductions
• Increase housing construction

D

Gina Hinojosa

Democrat

• $1,500 household affordability payments
• Address housing affordability

L

Pat Dixon

Libertarian

• Reduce government spending and taxes
• Fewer regulations

U.S. SENATE

R

Ken Paxton

Republican

• $50,000 first-time homebuyer deduction
• Expand domestic energy production

D

James Talarico

Democrat

• Eliminate federal gas tax
• Expand affordable housing programs
• Increase child tax credit

L

Ted Brown

Libertarian

• Eliminate tariffs
• Reduce federal spending and taxes

2026 Texas Young Voter Guide

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Immigration

Where each candidate stands on border and immigration policy

GOVERNOR

R

Greg Abbott

Republican

• Continue Texas border-security efforts
• Support border barriers and state enforcement

D

Gina Hinojosa

Democrat

• Focus campaign on affordability and economic issues
• Less emphasis on immigration policy

L

Pat Dixon

Libertarian

• Immigration enforcement primarily a federal responsibility
• Supports individual liberty

U.S. SENATE

R

Ken Paxton

Republican

• Secure the border
• Deport people in the country illegally

D

James Talarico

Democrat

• Increase Border Patrol and immigration judges
• Pathways to citizenship for certain immigrants
• Prioritize deportation of criminals

L

Ted Brown

Libertarian

• Abolish ICE
• Expand legal immigration and work authorization

2026 Texas Young Voter Guide

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Marijuana

Candidate positions on marijuana policy

GOVERNOR

R

Greg Abbott

Republican

• Opposes recreational marijuana legalization
• Supports restrictions on THC products

D

Gina Hinojosa

Democrat

• No major 2026 marijuana proposal identified

L

Pat Dixon

Libertarian

• End marijuana prohibition

U.S. SENATE

R

Ken Paxton

Republican

• Maintain federal marijuana restrictions

D

James Talarico

Democrat

• Legalize and regulate marijuana for adults
• Expunge marijuana-related records

L

Ted Brown

Libertarian

• Federally legalize marijuana
• Remove marijuana from federal controlled-substance scheduling

2026 Texas Young Voter Guide

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Healthcare

Candidate approaches to healthcare access and cost

GOVERNOR

R

Greg Abbott

Republican

• Support Medicaid funding for Texas providers
• Expand funding for hospitals and rural providers

D

Gina Hinojosa

Democrat

• Lower healthcare costs
• Expand access to healthcare

L

Pat Dixon

Libertarian

• Emphasize individual choice in healthcare
• Limit government restrictions

U.S. SENATE

R

Ken Paxton

Republican

• Healthcare price transparency
• Tax deductions for healthcare expenses
• Opposes expanding government healthcare

D

James Talarico

Democrat

• Federal public health insurance option
• Allow people to buy into Medicare
• Lower prescription drug costs

L

Ted Brown

Libertarian

• Free-market healthcare
• Medical savings accounts
• Allow insurance purchases across state lines

2026 Texas Young Voter Guide

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Government Assistance

Federal programs affected — U.S. Senate candidates only

PROGRAMS AFFECTED

SNAP

Medicaid / CHIP

WIC

TANF

Housing Assistance

Child-Care Assistance

U.S. SENATE POSITIONS

R

Ken Paxton

Republican

• Supported federal legislation reducing Medicaid and SNAP spending
• Favors tax deductions/credits and private-market approaches

D

James Talarico

Democrat

• Opposes cuts to Medicaid and SNAP
• Supports expanding healthcare access and family tax credits

L

Ted Brown

Libertarian

• Reduce federal government spending
• Favor market-based alternatives

2026 Texas Young Voter Guide

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What Does the Office Do?

Understanding what each level of government controls

G

Governor

• Texas laws and state agencies
• State budget
• State appointments

U

U.S. Senator

• Federal laws
• Federal taxes and spending
• Immigration and healthcare policy

U

U.S. Representative

• Federal laws and spending

S

State Senator / Representative

• Texas laws and state budget

L

Local Officials

• Local government, courts, policing, roads and services

Every level of government controls something different.

2026 Texas Young Voter Guide

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Know Your Ballot

Your ballot depends on where you live

YOU MAY ALSO VOTE FOR:

• U.S. House
• State Senate
• State House
• Judges
• County officials
• City officials
• Local propositions

Know the office.

Know the candidates.

Know what the office controls.

2026 Texas Young Voter Guide

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