All throughout the 2024 election cycle, as I registered Rio Grande Valley (RGV) residents to vote, I kept hearing the same comments: “It’s always the same people running,” and “Why vote if nothing changes?” At first, it may sound like frustration, but together these comments reveal something deeper: a belief that South Texas democracy is stuck in place.
Across the Valley, many local races go uncontested year after year, leaving voters with no real choice and leaders with little incentive to engage the communities they serve.
In some local elections, turnout falls into the single digits, not because people are apathetic, but because they rarely see meaningful options on the ballot. It becomes a cycle of disengagement, not from indifference, but from exhaustion; the kind that turns civic participation into silence.
The Valley is full of life and community, yet our ballots grow quieter each year, and that silence shapes decisions made without us.
The Problem with Uncontested Races in South Texas
Part of the problem is structural. First, many local seats are unpaid or offer only minimal compensation, making it unrealistic for working-class residents to consider running. Second, these roles demand time, resources, and political connections that everyday people simply don’t have, especially when challenging long-standing networks that have held influence for decades. These conditions create an unspoken belief that certain seats belong to certain families or circles. The result is not a lack of interest or talent in our community, but a system that makes it difficult for new voices to enter local leadership. Local offices might seem small, but they make decisions that shape our daily lives. When no one runs for these positions, communities lose their voice in matters that affect them directly.
Across South Texas, uncontested races have become the norm rather than the exception.
In Hidalgo County alone, fifteen city-level seats went uncontested in 2025. These roles determine how roads are repaired, which neighborhoods receive investment, how schools are governed, and how public health and safety are managed. And in a fast-growing region like the RGV, these choices determine not only how we grow, but who is included in that growth.
Putting a Stop to Unchallenged Leadership
When ballots are quiet, power doesn’t disappear; it concentrates. Choosing not to vote, or having no meaningful choices at all, allows leadership to remain unchallenged.
Across the Valley, that lack of accountability shows up in delayed infrastructure repairs, unspent public funds, and zoning or development decisions made behind closed doors. The implication is clear: When we don’t participate, we leave the door open for the status quo to decide our future for us.
To be fair, many public servants in the Valley show up every day with a genuine commitment to their communities. But even the strongest leaders benefit from accountability. Democracy isn’t meant to run on autopilot, and no office should operate without scrutiny.
In a region where political power often stays in the same hands for years, corruption and mismanagement have taken root in some local seats simply because no one is watching. That doesn’t mean every official is corrupt, but it does mean that systems without competition are easier for problems to go unnoticed.
Breaking The Cycle Through Participation
People in the RGV care deeply about their communities, but many feel politics isn’t for them. Re-engaging by voting, organizing, or running is how we ensure decisions reflect the people who live here and protect our communities from the consequences of unchecked power.
If we want this cycle to break, we need participation. For community members who feel disconnected from politics or overwhelmed by elections, start small: attend a community meeting, talk with your neighbors, pay attention to local news and city elections. Getting informed and engaged builds the foundation for a stronger, more representative RGV.
For those who already vote consistently, the next step is deeper involvement. Get plugged into leadership programs, join civic groups, network with community advocates, and consider running for office yourself. Breaking the cycle of uncontested races starts with more people stepping forward, even if they’ve never imagined seeing their name on a ballot. Filing to run gives voters a real choice and sends a clear message that local seats are earned, not inherited. Even one challenger can shift the conversation, spark debate, and remind our leaders that accountability comes from the people, not from the comfort of an empty race.
Andrea Torres is a Rio Grande Valley native and organizer who has spent the last two years registering voters and supporting civic engagement efforts across South Texas. She studies at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and is committed to expanding political participation in her community.
