Natalia Contreras
@NataliaECG
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Reporter asking all the questions about voting and election administration in Texas for @VotebeatUS | ELSEWHERE: @nataliaecm.bsky.social
Texas
Joined March 2009
1/ It took me three tries to register to vote in Texas. I set out to look into the root of the problem. I found that Texas’ paper-based system leaves too much room for error, in some cases disenfranchising voters. My latest investigation for @VotbeatUS:
votebeat.org
With Texas’ paper-based system, many voters’ applications get lost in the shuffle. Says a volunteer deputy registrar: “It just doesn't seem to really work the way that it’s supposed to.”
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One set of Texas redistricting plaintiffs have submitted their response to SCOTUS, asking for the court’s ruling to remain in effect for the duration of the legal proceedings. If granted, this would force Texas to use the 2021 maps for the 2026 midterms https://t.co/SwUFs5OI1C
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Primary preparations have been underway for months … Election officials and party officials are going need a final decision on this soon. More on why here:
votebeat.org
First, a switch to new congressional maps. Now, a switch back to the old ones, with another reversal still possible. “It’s just crazy,” a GOP leader says.
BREAKING: SCOTUS Justice Samuel Alito has granted a *temporary* administrative pause on Judge Jeff Brown’s ruling re: Texas’ congressional map. He is requesting a response from the plaintiffs by EOD Monday on whether to pause the ruling for the length of the appeal
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“You could title your article ‘HELP!’” With deadlines approaching, election officials in Texas are scrambling to adapt to the reversal of the CD maps - but are also planning for the courts to revert back to the newer lines https://t.co/YQaBIergX4 via @NataliaECG & @VotebeatUS
votebeat.org
First, a switch to new congressional maps. Now, a switch back to the old ones, with another reversal still possible. “It’s just crazy,” a GOP leader says.
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Cyber Ninjas’ hand count of Maricopa County’s 2020 ballots that took more than 100 people and months was 170,000 ballots off at the end, Ken Bennett (who observed the audit for the AZ Senate) reveals at an ASU democracy event.
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Breaking: Federal court blocks Texas from using new congressional gerrymander in 2026 midterms. https://t.co/A1VDFp2zOJ
texastribune.org
The decision is a major blow for Republicans, in Texas and nationally, who pushed through the mid-decade redistricting at the behest of President Donald Trump. Attorney General Ken Paxton said he...
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Experts say one year as an election administration reporter covering a presidential election ages you the equivalent of eight years.
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Citing a new state law, Attorney General Ken Paxton told four cities to cancel planned tax hikes. But La Marque leaders say their tax increase is critical to keeping the city afloat financially.
texastribune.org
Citing a new state law, Attorney General Ken Paxton told four cities to cancel planned tax hikes. But La Marque leaders say their tax increase is critical to keeping the city afloat financially.
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new friend alert! 👀
New job alert! Today I started as the new managing editor of @VotebeatUS, a nonprofit news site that covers election administration and voting rights issues.
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A huge thank you to the 6,600+ election workers who supported the November 4 General & Special Elections. ✅ From setting up vote centers to assisting voters throughout the day, your hard work made all the difference. Harris County is grateful for you. 🗳️❤️ #HarrisVotes
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Election Day Check-In: As of 2 PM, November 4, 2025, Harris County has recorded 102K+ in-person votes cast on Election Day for the November 4 General & Special Elections. #harrisvotes #electionday
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Impressively long line at West Gray MSC for Election Day. It stretches all the way past the center’s tennis courts and behind the nearby Panera. One volunteer joked it was shorter than the TSA checkpoints at @iah/@HobbyAirport but added he probably couldn’t say that anymore.
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It's Election Day, Tarrant County! Curious how many people voted early? Find out here:
star-telegram.com
The ballot includes proposed Texas constitutional amendments, as well as a special election for Senate District 9.
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Truly a life and career changing experience for me. I’m thrilled for this most recent cohort 🙌🏽
I created Poynter's Power of Diverse Voices seminar nearly 10 years ago, and it remains my touchstone. That's why I'm headed to St. Pete next week to work with these incredible journalists. https://t.co/EV8k1qJJZ3
@Poynter
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After the polls close tomorrow night, I will impose a 100% tariff on anyone moving to Texas from NYC.
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Gearing up for Election Day! 🗳️ Election Judges picked up supplies and equipment today as we prepare to open 600 voting locations across Harris County. Your vote matters. Make it count this Tuesday, November 4! #HarrisVotes #HCCO #YourVoteMatters
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Last week, Texas AG Ken Paxton announced that his office had arrested 35 undocumented people they turned over to ICE. So, I asked via an open records requests for arrest reports and any other relevant docs related to the apprehensions. The AG's office says there aren't any:
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As expected, at least some of the people flagged as "potential noncitizens" by the state of Texas have confirmed to @NataliaECG that they are indeed US citizens
texastribune.org
The voters were flagged after being checked against a federal database. Some officials question its reliability.
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Texas used a revamped federal database to check its voter rolls and flagged ~2700 "potential noncitizens" the state asked counties to investigate. @NataliaECG reported on what the counties are finding. It's early stages, but very interesting. Link ⬇️
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The findings are just a small sample for now but election officials are questioning the reliability and accuracy of the data they’ve been given by the state #txlege :
votebeat.org
Meanwhile, election officials are voicing concern about the reliability of the federal database that the state used to screen its voter rolls.
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