The United States presidential elections are now less than a week away, and the nation is witnessing an aggressive campaign by Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and her Republican rival Donald Trump amid a tight contest.
All about the state of Texas, political leanings
Texas is the second-largest state by both area and population, spread across 268,596 square miles (695,660 sqkm), and with over 30 million residents as of 2023. With a coastline on the Gulf of Mexico to the southeast, Texas is nicknamed the Lone Star State for its former status as an independent republic.
It has 18,623,931 registered voters ahead of the November 5 election. “This is a record number and is on target considering population growth and the increased interest around presidential elections,” said Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson.
Texas is generally considered to be a red state, not having voted Democratic in a presidential election since Jimmy Carter in 1976. Besides, Republicans have been holding all state offices since 1999.
Texas voters will choose electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote. Texas has 40 electoral votes in the Electoral College, following reapportionment after the 2020 US census, in which the state gained two seats.
The state’s 40 electoral votes are second only to California’s 54.
How many Senate seats are going for election in the state? Who are the candidates?
This year, Texas will elect one of its two US senators to serve for the next six years. Two-term incumbent Republican Senator Ted Cruz is running for re-election. Cruz is being challenged by Democratic congressman Colin Allred.
How many House of Representatives seats are going for election in the state?
All 38 seats of the US House of Representatives from Texas will go to elections. The 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas will be held on November 5, 2024, to elect thirty-eight US representatives from the State of Texas, one from each of the state’s congressional districts.
WATCH | US Election 2024: Race Tight One Week From Election Day
Who won the presidential election in the state in 2020?
In 2020, Texas voted for Donald Trump by a 5.6-point margin. This was the 23rd biggest margin for Trump among the 50 states. Trump won Texas by a lean margin both times, by 8.9 per cent in 2016 and 5.5 per cent in 2020.
Republicans control both US Senate seats, all state offices, both houses of the Texas Legislature, and a large majority in Texas’s US House congressional delegation.
Results of 2024 election
This section will be updated as results come in after the November 5 elections.
(With inputs from agencies)