Beto O’Rourke’s voter registration initiative, Powered by People, has achieved a new milestone in its ongoing efforts across Texas. According to an email from the organization, the group recently registered a record number of voters, tripling its previous high.
The week of outreach began on Monday at the University of Texas at Arlington, where volunteers set up outside the library. Despite temperatures reaching 109 degrees, students lined up to register to vote, pledge to participate in upcoming elections, and connect with volunteers.
On Tuesday, the effort continued at the University of North Texas in Denton. High temperatures once again posed challenges, causing several volunteers’ phones to shut down. The group adapted by switching to paper forms to keep the registration process moving.
Wednesday saw the initiative at Texas A&M in College Station. The turnout inside the Memorial Student Center prompted the group to move operations outside, where they continued to register students and collect contact information.
The week concluded with visits to Houston Community College and the University of Houston on Thursday. Both campuses experienced a high turnout, with hundreds of students registering to vote.
Powered by People, launched in late 2019, has mobilized 20,000 volunteers to run what O’Rourke describes as the largest progressive voter mobilization effort in Texas. The organization aims to build long-term changes in the Texas electorate, partnering with Democratic candidates and focusing on voter registration in every part of the state.
Since its inception, Powered by People has registered 250,000 Texans to vote. The group targets communities most affected by restrictive voting laws, as Texas does not offer online, automatic, or same-day voter registration.
O’Rourke emphasized the importance of these efforts in his email, noting that the team would continue its outreach in Austin, San Antonio, San Marcos, and Houston this week. He encouraged ongoing support for the initiative to sustain its momentum and achieve long-term goals.
Image Credit Powered by People
Texas Reporter 