A project of Common Cause Texas FIRST VOTE TEXAS A project of Common Cause Texas Thank you for introduction & thanks to all of you for having me today **Q: How many of you have heard of Common Cause? Reorganize, How to vote How to register (break into three different presentations) Why it is important What you need to vote- missing stuff, most current- secretary of state website Not a ton of how to vote?- different voting systems- demo videos on secretary of state website Drill down on the commission piece, how they are appointed Analysis of election bills filed in the legislature Missing links to the bills

Why register to vote? -Registering to vote allows you to be active within our democratic system. -important to your community and representation -it is important that politicians hear from younger citizens otherwise their interests will not be accounted for -By voting at a young age you are setting a precedent that your voice and vote matter which willl be reflected in your representation

Millennials match Baby Boomers in number of eligible voters and influence. The only difference is turnout Younger adults don’t feel like their voices are heard in politics, but currently Millennials match Baby Boomers in eligible voters, this means that your generation has just as much influence Currently the only difference is turnout. Your opinion and voice should matter to representatives. Make it that way.

It’s almost this easy Voting can seem complicated, but the impact you make cannot be undercut

Step 1. Register to vote Need an ID: Elligible: Texas drivers license Be a United States citizen Be a resident of the county where you submit the application Be at least 18 on Election Day Not be a convicted felon Need an ID: Texas drivers license Texas Election Identification Certificate Texas personal identification card Citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph If you meet the requirements on this lists then you should simply be able to fill out an application 30 days prior to an election We will be passing out some of these applications so you can fill them out now. If you think you may already be registered you can check at: https://teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.do

Step 2. Be informed Seek out nonpartisan information on candidates and issues. -Before voting, its important research candidates and issues that are on the ballot. It doesn’t take very long (30 minutes- look up who is on the ballot and what they stand for) -try and find nonpartisan sources so as not to receive biased/untrue information

Resources The League of Women Voters: releases nonpartisan information on candidates running at the local, state, and national level Vote USA: provides nonpartisan information as to what is on your ballot for each election US Vote Foundation: offers absentee ballot request and voter registration services for all US voters in all states, at home, and abroad Open Secrets: provides a guide to money’s influence on US elections and public policy

Step 3. Where to vote Go online: votetexas.gov/voting/where.html

Step 3. What do I bring With qualified photo ID: Texas drivers license Texas Election Identification Certificate Texas personal identification card Texas license to carry U.S. military identification (w/ photo) U.S. citizenship certificate (w/ photo) U.S. passport W/o qualified photo ID: Valid voter registration certificate Certified birth certificate Copy of current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, etc. Must contain voter’s name and address Cannot “reasonably obtain” them and swear they have a “reasonable impediment” from obtaining appropriate identification

What to expect? Paper ballots: voters mark ballots by pen and place their completed ballots in a box Optical scan voting system: voters mark their choices on pre-printed ballots which will then be scanned and counted DREs (Direct Record Electronic systems): voters select their choices directly on a machine (by dial or touch screen). When the ballot is complete, voters are shown a summary screen with their entire ballot for their final confirmation

When are the elections? You can participate in: primary, run-off, general, and write-in Primary: March, every even-numbered year Run-off: April following the primary General: first Tuesday of November Elect candidates to: local, state, national levels at the time of general

PRIMARY

Absentee Ballot If you are out of the county on Election Day Go online and sign up for a ballot that will be sent to your new mailing address vote.org/absentee-ballot/texas/

Questions?

If you aren't voting no one is hearing your voice so they have no reason to represent you.