- The Supreme Court of Texas is the court of last resort for civil matters including juvenile delinquency cases.
- The Texas Supreme Court is made up of nine justices. All nine positions are elected, with a term of office of six years and no term limits.
- Decisions are made collectively by majority vote, and a justice writes the majority opinion.
- The Texas Supreme Court is the only state supreme court in the United States in which refusing to hear a lower courts’ cases implies approval of courts’ decision, thus rendering it precedent.
- Justices must be at least 35 years old, a citizen of Texas, licensed to practice law in Texas and must have practiced law (or have been a lawyer and a judge of a court of record together) for at least ten years
- Depending on length of office, justices are paid a salary of between $168,000 and $201,600

One of nine judges who serve on the highest civil court in Texas.

Texas

2024 Texas General Election

Public Safety

Civil Rights

Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

State Supreme Court Justice

- The presiding judge of the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals is selected by voters at large. He or she serves in that capacity for a full six-year term. There are no term limits.
- They lead the court and set the agenda for its meetings and decisions, including which cases to hear
- They represent the court in official matters and may speak on behalf of the court in public or with other branches of government.
- They can call all judges together for important cases or to address specific issues.
- Depending on length of office, the presiding judge’s salary is between $168,000 and $201,600.

One of nine judges who serves on the highest appeals court for criminal matters in Texas. 

Criminal Justice

Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge

Court of Criminal Appeals Judge

- The railroad commissioner is one of three members of the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the oil and natural gas industry, pipeline transporters, liquified petroleum gas, coal and uranium mining, and oversees clean drinking water. Despite its name, the commission no longer regulates railroads.
- Railroad commissioners are elected in statewide partisan elections for six-year, staggered terms, with one seat up for election every two years. The commissioners elect the chairman, and the Governor appoints replacements if a vacancy arises.

One of three commissioners who oversee the oil and gas industry, coal and uranium mining, and clean drinking water. 

Environment

Public Health

Energy & the Environment

Railroad Commissioner

- The US Senator is a member of the United States Senate, the upper house of the United States Congress. There are a total of 100 US Senators. Texas, like every other US state, has two senators. 
- US Senators have a great deal of power when it comes to bringing the concerns of their state to the national arena. US Senators can author, sponsor, amend, debate, and vote on bills that may become national law. 
- US Senators have an important role in deciding who runs the federal government. They hold confirmation hearings for most presidential appointees, including new Supreme Court Justices and Presidential Cabinet Members.
- Senators can be appointed to committees that focus on particular issues. Examples include the Appropriations Committee, which handles budget planning, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is a diplomatic body that welcomes foreign delegations.
- Senators are elected to six-year terms in statewide elections. US Senators are paid a salary of $174,000/year.

One of two federal lawmakers representing Texas in the US Senate

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Economic Growth

Economy

Healthcare

Education

Voting & Elections

US Senator

- The President is the leader of the federal Executive Branch. They are primarily responsible for implementing and enforcing laws written by Congress.
- The President influences the national laws and regulations by proposing legislation and winning support from members of Congress. They can also veto legislation that was approved by Congress, which can only then be overridden by a two-thirds vote.
- The President can pass executive orders without the approval of Congress. Examples of historic executive orders include Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all slaves, and Franklin Roosevelt's establishment of internment camps during World War II.
- The President is the Commander in Chief of the US Armed Forces, which includes the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Only Congress can declare war, but the President plays a key role in deciding when and where to deploy troops, even when war hasn't been declared. The President also has sole nuclear launch authority.
- The President appoints and manages the Vice President and their Cabinet, which includes the heads of 15 executive departments that impact a wide range of issues, including agriculture, education, housing, and transportation.
- Outside of their official powers, the President can act as a leader to the American public, as seen in moments of crisis, like Franklin D. Roosevelt's fireside chats during the Great Depression. Additionally, their advocacy for certain policies or social issues can shape public opinion and create action, similar to how President John F. Kennedy galvanized the nation around the space race in the 1960s.

United States of America

US President

- City council members collaborate to create and enforce city policies, including legislation on essential services like police, fire, parks, libraries, and utilities.
- They work alongside the mayor to manage city departments, including transportation and parks and recreation.
- Council members can be elected to represent specific districts or the entire city at-large.
- The structure of city councils, including the number of members, their terms, term limits, and partisanship, differs by county.

Passes laws and regulations for your city

Volente

Housing & Urban Development

Public Services

Transportation & Infrastructure

City Council Member

- The role of a mayor in Texas is to preside over council meetings, represent the city, and facilitate communication between officials. 
- Cities may grant the mayor additional power or roles. 
- Mayors can also appoint members of citizen advisory boards and commissions.
- Mayors represent the city in intergovernmental relationships.
- Term limits, length of office, and salaries vary across cities or townships.

2024 Texas candidates

State Supreme Court Justice, Place 4

2 candidates

How this impacts you

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge

2 candidates

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge

2 candidates

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge

3 candidates

State Supreme Court Justice, Place 6

3 candidates

How this impacts you

Texas Railroad Commissioner

5 candidates

How this impacts you

Texas US Senator

5 candidates

How this impacts you

US President

4 candidates

Volente City Council Member

3 candidates

Volente Mayor

1 candidate