As early voting begins Oct. 19 in Texas ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, Rice University experts are available to discuss the issues shaping this year’s races.
From voter turnout and political polarization to campaign strategies, misinformation and the balance of power in Washington, Rice faculty can offer research-based perspectives on the forces influencing voters and what the election results could mean for Texas and the nation.
The following experts are available for media interviews throughout the election season.
Texas races and voters
Mark Jones, professor of political science and fellow at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy
Jones can discuss federal, state and local elections in Texas, campaign finance and the political attitudes and voting behavior of Hispanic voters in Texas.
Elections and political behavior
John Alford, professor of political science
Alford studies U.S. elections and voting behavior with an emphasis on Congress. He can discuss how voters make political choices and the factors that influence their decisions.
The presidency and Congress
Kenneth Lowande, associate professor of political science
Lowande studies American political institutions, focusing on the presidency, federal agencies and Congress. His research examines executive power, including the use of executive orders by presidents and governors, and the relationship between the executive and legislative branches.
Political news and voters
Erik Peterson, associate professor of political science
Peterson studies how local media and online news influence political behavior and electoral accountability. He can discuss the role of news coverage in shaping voters’ political knowledge and decisions.
Misinformation and digital media
Alyssa “Allie” Sinclair, assistant professor of psychological sciences
Sinclair studies how people form and update beliefs and how online misinformation can be corrected or counteracted. She can discuss why misleading claims persist and how people respond to corrections.
Liam Mayes, assistant teaching professor and director of undergraduate studies in media studies
Mayes can discuss how voters encounter and evaluate misinformation across digital platforms during election cycles. His expertise includes critical media literacy, social media discourse and political messaging, from traditional news to platforms such as TikTok.
Voting and polling places
Michael Byrne, the Elma Schneider Professor of Psychological Sciences
Byrne can discuss ballot design, how voters interact with voting equipment and factors that affect the voting experience and operations at polling places.
To schedule an interview with Rice’s experts, contact media relations specialists Kat Cosley Trigg at kat.cosley.trigg@rice.edu or Jamie Groh at jamie.groh@rice.edu.
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