The first Presidential candidates for 2016 are throwing their hats into the ring but did you realize that you have a voting opportunity this week? Early voting for local elections starts today, and we encourage you to vote. Municipal and County elections typically have low voter turnout, but these elections are some of the best ways you can have a direct impact on your community and the region.
If you are an employer or manager, we encourage you to give you employees a little extra time during the voting week to make sure they can cast their ballots.
For voters, there are lots of ways to vote, but there are some items you should know beforehand. Don’t let confusion regarding locations, Voter ID or registration get you down. Here are some tools to help make sure you are ready to vote.
When can I vote?: Early voting starts on April 27th and goes until May 5th. Election Day is May 9th and is your last chance to cast your vote. May 9th is a Saturday so make sure you plan ahead. Check your local election board to see what time polling stations are open.
Am I registered? You can find out at the Texas Secretary of State page. https://team1.sos.state.tx.us/voterws/viw/faces/Introduction.jsp
Where do I vote? You can find your voting location at your county election web page. Typically voting sites are at school, fire stations, churches or other municipal offices.
Do I need ID? YES. There has been a lot of noise around Voter ID laws, but chances are you have an ID that qualifies.
Here is a list of Approved Voter ID
Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
Texas concealed handgun license issued by DPS
United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph
United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph
United States passport
More info here: http://votetexas.gov/register-to-vote/need-id
What am I voting for? That depends on your county and city. Your local county election page should give you a list of candidates and issues. Take the time to research important races and cast your vote.
Additional Voting Resources: