For decades, Texas was either the lowest-voting state or one of the bottom five.
Now, there are 18 million registered voters in Texas, the highest number ever. SMU political scientist Cal Jillson says Hispanics, who used to register at low rates are now signing up in much bigger numbers.
"Texas for decades was either the lowest voting state or one of the bottom five in the last several election cycles that has crept up to like bottom 10 now, but no longer worst in the nation," Jillson says.
The biggest registration gains have been in the Democratic stronghold of Harris County and along the I-35 corridor, which now leans blue. Jillson says the reason the Republicans keep winning is they dominate in the external suburbs and rural areas.
He believes former president Donald Trump will win Texas and Senator Ted Cruz will win re-election, although that could be very close.
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