1. 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

2. 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

3. 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.

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

5. 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:

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. PRIMARY

13. 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/

14. Questions?

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