Many thanks to Monty Exter, Senior Lobbyist for the Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE), a TEV partner, for this week’s guest blog.
Every other year, May becomes a double election voting marathon:
- Kicking off the month is the local uniform election Saturday, May 7, which this year is also paired with a constitutional amendment election.
- The runoff election, which marks the end of the primary season and beginning of the run-up to the general election, caps off the May voting marathon Tuesday, May 24.
You may ask yourself: “Why should I care about the May uniform election?”
The May uniform election is when many local political subdivisions, such as school districts and cities, elect members of their governing bodies. They may also propose bonds through which taxpayers can approve the governmental entity’s taking on debt to pay for certain needs, such as new buildings or road improvements.
This year’s uniform local election also presents an opportunity for voters statewide to approve or reject constitutional amendments proposed by the Texas Legislature. The two amendments on the May 7 ballot, if passed, could reduce some residential property taxes and reduce the amount of local revenue available for public schools, requiring legislators to either provide more state dollars or cut education spending. (Learn more about the amendments in this reporting from The Texas Tribune.)
Don’t forget: Public education is always on the ballot!
That’s why it’s important for educators and education advocates like you to research and participate in every election that has a direct impact on school funding and policy. That certainly includes school board races and school bond proposals.
School board races are especially important as school trustees are responsible for adopting policies, budgets, goals, and priorities; setting tax rates; and hiring and evaluating superintendents. Local school board-adopted policies affect so many aspects of the delivery of public education. For example, school boards set teacher salaries and student attendance zones, adopt safety measures, determine what will be covered by school bond measures, provide oversight on district budgets and initiatives, and even set the local school calendar. During the COVID-19 pandemic, school board members determined when to open or close campuses, whether to impose safety regulations such as mask mandates, how to handle virtual instruction, and so much more. Texas law has delegated significant authority to local communities to govern their schools through the election of local trustees, so it’s essential that you get out and vote in the May 7 election.
Not sure if you’re registered to vote? You can easily check your voter registration on the Texas Secretary of State’s website. You can also find out what’s on your ballot by visiting VoteTexas.gov and clicking “What’s on the Ballot?”
Here are some important dates to mark on your calendar for the May 7 election:
- First day of early voting: Monday, April 25
- Vote-by-mail application due: Tuesday, April 26
- Last day of early voting: Tuesday, May 3
- Election Day: Saturday, May 7, with polls open 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Don’t forget your photo ID when heading to the polls! Voters may use one of the seven forms of photo ID listed below. For voters aged 18–69, IDs may be expired up to four years. A person 70 years of age or older may use a form of ID that expired more than four years ago.
- Texas driver license
- Texas Election Identification Certificate (EIC)
- Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
- Texas handgun license
- U.S. military identification card containing the person’s photograph
- U.S. citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph
- U.S. passport
Now’s the time for you and your colleagues, family, and friends to make your voices heard, so be sure to remind them about voting in the May 7 election. Local elections are just as important as national and state elections; these elections affect your local community and everyday life. Only by coming together and acting as one voice can we truly advocate for public education! Let’s build a culture of voting by showing up to the polls during every election! Your vote matters!
Thanks again to TEV partner, ATPE, for this week’s blog post!
Laura Yeager
Texas Educators Vote