Texas Midterm Election Watch 2014

Why Should I Care?

Gov. Rick Perry (R)—yup, the one who was indicted—isn't running for re-election. He's got 1600 Pennsylvania on his mind. Republicans wear the pants in Texas, but a Democrat with national sneaker-cred has spiced things up in this year's governor's race.

Who Do I Need to Know?

Wendy Davis (D): Wears pink sneakers. Can talk a lot. You first met the TX state senator when she filibustered a strict abortion bill . But she's struggling to close the gap in this red state.

Greg Abbott (R): Texas's Attorney General. Wendy Davis once said "He hasn't walked a day in my shoes." Which would be very difficult, seeing as he's a paraplegic. Abbott's favored right now.

What Are the Issues?

Immigration: Everything's bigger in Texas, especially immigration issues. This year, thousands of unaccompanied children have crossed the US-Mexico border into Texas. So this is a big voter issue for both candidates. Both of them will be trying to prove that they're the leader the state needs to get things straightened out.

Social Issues: Davis will make her case to female voters on everything from equal pay to reproductive rights...she is very pro-choice. Abbott is very pro-life.

I'm from Texas. What Do I Need to Know About Voting?

October 6th is your deadline to register to vote. Download this, fill it out, print, sign and mail it to your local clerk's office.

October 24th is your deadline to request an absentee ballot if you’re going to be out of state on Election Day. Download this, print it out and mail it in to your local clerk's office.

November 4th is Election Day. Get it done before Happy Hour—voting closes at 7 p.m. local time.