Houston Landing file photo / Antranik Tavitian

Over 21,000 Harris County residents registered to vote too late for the November election. Data reporters José Luis Martínez and Adriana Rezal explain why that matters — and how it could change.

Registration rush: On the last day to register, over 5,500 applications flooded the county tax office. Despite extended hours, many missed the deadline by just one day.

State barriers: Texas is one of 10 states with a 30-day registration cutoff. Meanwhile, 23 states allow same-day registration, simplifying the process for busy voters.

Local efforts: From haunted houses to libraries, groups like the League of Women Voters brought registration drives to everyday places. Still, challenges remain in educating voters on deadlines and procedures.

Big picture: Those 21,000 late registrants could have influenced 13 tight county races. Advocates are pushing for reforms like online registration to ensure that next time, no one misses out.

AP Photo / Eric Gay

Our weekly "Pop Quiz" features interviews with Greater Houston's education community members. Who should we talk to next?

How do public schools navigate immigration concerns? The short answer is they don't. But with President-elect Donald Trump pledging increased immigration enforcement, we looked into how that could change.

Civil rights lawyer Nicholas Espíritu shared with Angelica Perez key insights into policies, protections and the rights that immigrant families should understand.

Who can register? Espíritu said schools are not obligated to check immigration status. Supreme Court rulings ensure access to public education for all children, regardless of immigration status.

Can arrests happen? "Sensitive locations" guidelines typically bar immigration enforcement on school grounds. However, Espíritu explained that while these policies protect families now, policy shifts could impact these safeguards.

Big picture: From students' rights to school policies on information sharing, Espíritu breaks down what challenges and protections are shaping education today.