Student government organizations at two University of Houston campuses have hosted events with prominent Democrats during the current early voting period.
One event was explicitly geared towards partisan turnout, while the other was billed as “non-partisan” civic engagement.
As first reported by Libs of TikTok, the student government organization at UH’s main campus held a “get out the vote rally” with Democrat gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa on October 22. The student government promoted the event on an official social media account using university branding.
The event appeared to violate both state law and UH System policies that prohibit the use of public resources for partisan activity. Taxpayer-subsidized universities must maintain “institutional neutrality,” which permits them to host all candidates equally but prohibits favoritism.
UH acknowledged the error in a statement to Libs of TikTok, stating that “UH SGA inappropriately promoted an event featuring a political candidate.”
Shortly after publication of the story discussed above, Libs of TikTok posted a second video showing an event with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I–VT) and Congressman Greg Casar (D–Austin) that was hosted by the official student government organization of UH’s Downtown campus.
OMG
University of Houston – Downtown official Student Government Association held a campaign event with Bernie Sanders
The university and student government symbols are visible behind Bernie.
This is a direct violation of Texas law Government Code Chapter 556 and University System Policy 02.A.39
@uhdowntown is breaking the law
Cc @KenPaxtonTX
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) October 27, 2026
While the video featuring Sanders and Casar was posted on October 27, the event in question occurred on October 20, two days before the Hinojosa event.
The event, called “Walk2Vote,” was promoted as aiming to “increase student voter participation.” UH-Downtown’s student government further stated its intention to create “conversation around civic engagement and participation.”
While no Republicans appear to have participated, a UH spokesperson clarified that invitations were issued to over 80 candidates from across the political spectrum.
“The University of Houston is aware that the UH Student Government Association inappropriately promoted an event featuring a political candidate,” the spokesperson said. “The posts have been removed, and corrective action has been taken. SGA has acknowledged the error and issued a clarifying statement.”
“As a public institution serving all Texans, UH is committed to institutional neutrality and does not support or endorse any political party or candidate.”
UH’s main campus and UH-Downtown are both components of the University of Houston System. Renu Khator is both president of the main campus and chancellor of the system.
The University of Houston System is overseen by a Board of Regents that is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate. Jack Moore of Houston is the current board chairman.
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