The 2026 survey, based on over 8,800 responses, finds 94–95% support for universal background checks on guns and majority backing for recreational marijuana legalization in all three major counties.
Support for the death penalty has declined to about two-thirds, while opposition to book bans and support for increased public education funding remain strong across Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties.
Attitudes toward gun policy show both strong support for regulation and gun ownership rights, with nuanced views on arming school staff. Support for tax increases to fund education is declining but still holds a majority.
Why has support for the death penalty in Houston stabilized despite a decades-long national decline?
Why does Texas lead the nation in book challenges when most Houston-area residents firmly oppose them?
As public support for marijuana grows, how will new regulations reshape the Texas cannabis market?
Could Montgomery County's distinct social views predict the future of Texas's other fast-growing suburbs?
With a new voucher program, what are the hidden costs for public school special education departments?