The 2024 Texas primary elections have unfolded, but the story isn’t just about who’s winning or losing; it’s about who’s not showing up to the polls.

This year, a mere 18.35% of registered voters cast their ballots, a stark contrast to the 25.35% turnout in 2020 and an even more significant drop from the 30.05% in 2016. The combined turnout of 3.29 million voters in the Republican and Democratic primaries pales in comparison to the record years of 2016, 2008, and 2020, which saw 4.27 million, 4.24 million, and 4.11 million voters, respectively.

On the Republican side, 2.32 million voters showed up, marking it as the second-largest turnout for the party, just shy of the 2.84 million in 2016. The Democratic primary, however, saw a decline, with 975,000 voters—marking the first time since 2014 that turnout has dipped below 1 million.

The more significant concern is the 14.65 million registered Texas voters who chose not to participate, setting a new high for non-participation. Coupled with the approximately 2.1 million Texans eligible but not registered to vote, the total number of non-voters reaches an unprecedented 16.73 million.

To contextualize these figures, 5 out of every 6 eligible Texans did not exercise their right to vote in the primary, leaving a mere 16.4% of the voting-eligible population to dictate the trajectory of Texas politics and shape the future of the state.

Speaker Dade Phelan Creates House Select Committee on Protecting Texas LNG Exports

Texas Speaker of the House Dade Phelan announced the creation of a select committee to examine the extensive impacts to Texas of the Biden Administration’s temporary pause on export permits for liquified natural gas (LNG). The five-member House Select Committee on Protecting Texas LNG Exports is tasked with analyzing the federal government’s legal authority to take such action; assessing the potential economic, environmental and social impacts on the state; identifying strategies to mitigate negative consequences on the LNG industry, the state’s energy sector and Texas economy; and making recommendations to address the challenges posed by a federal suspension.

“Texas is one of America’s top exporters of liquified natural gas, supplying affordable, reliable energy to our nation and our allies around the globe while providing good-paying jobs for hardworking Texans,” said Speaker Phelan. “President Biden’s abrupt decision earlier this year to pause pending approvals of LNG export projects will likely have significant economic implications for Texas, and it is important we fully understand what a prolonged pause would mean for our state’s thriving energy sector. With the oil and gas industry supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs statewide and serving as a key driver of community investments—including in the Southeast Texas House District I represent—we cannot idly stand by and let the federal government attempt to undermine this critical industry.”

Speaker Phelan appointed the following Texas House members to serve on the Select Committee on Protecting Texas LNG Exports:

• Representative Jared Patterson, Chair
• Representative Brooks Landgraf
• Representative Christian Manuel
• Representative Mary Ann Perez
• Representative Cody Vasut

The Speaker requested the select committee submit a report on its findings by May 13, 2024 that includes recommended legislative, policy or other actions to address the challenges posed by the federal suspension of LNG export permits.

Read Speaker Phelan’s proclamation on the creation of the House Select Committee on Protecting Texas LNG Exports.

Speaker Phelan Creates Investigative Committee on the Panhandle Wildfires

Texas Speaker of the House Dade Phelan announced the creation of an investigative committee on the devastating 2024 wildfires in the Texas Panhandle. The five-member Investigative Committee on the Panhandle Wildfires is tasked with studying various factors that contributed to the spread of the historic wildfires, the allocation and effectiveness of firefighting resources, and the coordination between local, state and federal governmental entities in wildfire disaster prevention, preparedness and response.

“The catastrophic wildfires have left a profound mark on the Panhandle region, with the Smokehouse Creek fire the largest wildfire in our state’s history,” said Speaker Phelan. “It is imperative we fully examine the causes and response to this disaster to ensure Texas is equipped with the proper tools to prevent and respond to future wildfires. In addition to wildfire prevention and response, this investigative committee will study the adequacy of recovery resources to help guarantee the needs of the community are met as they forge ahead from this tragedy. I look forward to receiving the committee’s findings and recommendations that will help us enhance the safety of Texans and their property, and I ask everyone continue to hold those affected by these wildfires in their prayers.”

Speaker Phelan appointed the following members to serve on the Investigative Committee on the Panhandle Wildfires:

• Representative Ken King, Chair
• Representative Dustin Burrows
• Representative Todd Hunter
• Jason Abraham, Public Member
• Ashley Cash, Public Member

The Speaker requested the investigative committee submit a report on its findings by May 1, 2024 that includes recommended legislative solutions for preventing future wildfires and improving disaster preparedness, response and mitigation.

Read Speaker Phelan’s proclamation on the creation of the Investigative Committee on the Panhandle Wildfires.

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