The Issues. You have a good idea of where you stand on the issues, but who do you vote for?  Here’s a quick guide to the two major parties.

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ABORTION
Democratic view:  Government shouldn’t dictate women’s healthcare choices. Women can make their own decisions.
​Republican view:  Texas has banned abortion without exceptions for rape & incest. No abortion until a woman’s life is in mortal danger.  ​

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CLIMATE
Democratic view:  We need to maximize use of renewable energy and limit the release of greenhouse gases. It will create jobs and reduce pollution.
Republican view:  Climate change is not caused by human activity.  Drill, baby, drill.

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VOTING RIGHTS
Democratic view:  There should be automatic voter registration, universal vote by mail, and we should end gerrymandered districts.
​Republican view:  Enacts laws to make it harder to vote.  Only certain people can vote by mail and they must apply annually to do so.

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GUN SAFETY
Democratic view:  Universal background checks, implement red-flag laws for those with mental health issues, raise the age to 21 for all weapons.
​Republican view:  Permitless carry, campus carry, no need for red-flag laws, 18 year olds can purchase semi-automatic weapons.

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ECONOMY
Democratic view:  We should build from the middle out and the bottom up.  America is built on the middle class.
Republican view:  We should give the wealthy and corporations the tax breaks and the benefits will trickle down to all.

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​HEALTHCARE
Democratic view:  Expand Medicaid because it will help people, but it will also universally lower property taxes because we’re all paying a hospital tax for indigent care.
​Republican view:  Texas is one of only 10 states that hasn’t expanded Medicaid. In the past year, Texas has kicked 1M children off Medicaid.

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​IMMIGRATION
Democratic view: America is a land of immigrants, and our diversity is our strength, We nee a humane solution to the crisis.
Republican view: Border walls, razor wire, river buoys, militarizing the border.  $4.5B in taxpayer money from Texans yet the crisis continues.

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​EDUCATION
Democratic view:  Public education is the great equalizer. Libraries are a place of discovery.  Public schools need to be funded at a rate higher than 43rd in the nation. Pay teachers a living wage.
Republican view:  Defund public schools. Move dollars to private schools.  Ban books.  Arm teachers.  Replace school counselors with chaplains. Eliminate Diversity offices in public universities.

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​STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS
Democratic view:  The cost of college has skyrocketed, and student loans are burdening young people.  President Biden has cancelled $136B in student debt for over 3.7M borrowers.
​Republican view:  Opposes student debt relief.

​In the 2022 midterms, over 9.5 million registered Texans didn’t vote - that's more than HALF of all registered voters.

There are more than 5 million Texans between the age of 18-30 years old. But 75% of registered voters in this age group stayed home during the 2022 midterm election.  

It’s your future, make a difference by voting.

What Type of ID Do I Need to Register?
None, however, Texas’s voter registration form asks for your Texas driver’s license or ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. Be sure to provide one of these numbers if you have it.  It will help election workers find you quicker in the database when you vote at the polls.
 
Deadline to register to vote for the November 2024 Presidential election is Monday, October 7th.
 
Register at School or Home?
Students must decide about where to register to vote.
 
You have a right to register to vote at the address you consider the place where you live, whether that is your family's home or the place where you attend school. You should update your registration anytime you change where you call home.  You may only be registered and vote in one location.
 
You can fill out this online form to register.  You must print it, sign, and return it to your county’s Election office.
 
vrapp.sos.state.tx.us/index.asp

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How Can I Vote?
Early In-Person:  Voter in Texas may vote early in person.  Early voting starts Monday October 21st and ends on Friday, November 1st. 

Election Day:  Voting sites will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5th. If you are in line by the close of polls, then you have the right to vote. 
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Absentee ballot application:  Texas voters may vote by mail if they will be away from their county on Election Day and during the in-person early voting period.  A vote by mail application for the November Presidential election must be received by the Elections office by Friday, October 25th.  The ballot itself must be received by 7pm Election Day.

What Do I Need to Vote?

Other Important Links:
Am I Registered to Vote?
Application for Vote by Mail
Track Your Ballot
​Where’s My Polling Site?  (this will only be available 3-4 weeks before the election)