Who votes, who runs and why are central issues for the health of local democracies.

Latest Urban Edge Stories

Understanding Houston: First-generation Houstonian makes her voice heard through voting

This is a part of a series connected to our partnership with the Greater Houston Community Foundation's regional project Understanding Houston. This story, and others, also appears on the Understanding Houston website.

Cristina Camarillo and parents
Feature Story
: Dec 6, 2019
Demographics, Elections

Sylvester Turner to face Tony Buzbee in runoff for Houston mayor

This story was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

Sylvester Turner
News Story
: Nov 6, 2019
Elections, Governance

Analysis: Despite its record, Texas can remake its political maps without a federal permission slip

Texas Tribune | After multiple court findings that Texas intentionally discriminated in drawing political maps and writing election laws, a panel of federal judges says the state won't be subjected to federal oversight under the Voting Rights Act.

Chalkboard drawing of Texas districts
Perspective
: Jul 31, 2019
Elections

Latest Research

2018 Civic Health Index

Commissioned by Houston Endowment, this study examines the state of civic health in Greater Houston (the Houston MSA) to better understand civic attitudes and behaviors as well as political participation.
Report Cover for the Civic Health Index Report
Research: May 1, 2018
Elections

The State of Local Democracy in Houston and Harris County

This report looks at local elections in Houston and Harris County.
Image of Houston's City Hall
Report: Oct 3, 2017
Elections, Governance

Who Runs for Mayor in America?

This report looks at mayoral elections in California, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota and Virginia.
Canvassing
Report: May 24, 2017
Elections, Governance

Experts

Head shot of Melissa Marschall

Melissa Marschall

  • Kinder Fellow
  • Professor of Political Science
  • Director, Center for Local Elections in America Politics
  • Director, Social Policy Analysis Major, School of Social Sciences
  • Rice University
713-348-4132
Profile