On November 4, mid-term election holds historic importance for voters because it is the year of both the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act and the year a new law requiring voters to show photo I. D. at the polls goes into effect. To educate about these events and to boost voter turnout, counties around the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex are hosting voter information and registration drives. The Dallas County Elections Department will hold an aggressive Voter Registration Days campaign that runs this weekend from September 20-23. The Dallas County Elections office posts display reminders about rules for voter eligibility. Voters must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of the county in which they intend to vote, and be at least 18 years of age. The aim of Voter Registration Days is to increase voter turnout which for Texas is traditionally low. Registration will be available at numerous locations. Organizers strategically planned the registration drives to coincide with places residents might be on a particular day. For instance on Saturday, would-be voters have a choice of registering at one of two Dallas shopping centers, either NorthPark Mall or Southwest Center Mall. Sunday voters can register at either one of two churches, Joy Tabernacle AME Church in Dallas, or St. Stephen United Methodist Church in Mesquite. The Tuesday registration offers a plethora of civic, education, and retail locations throughout the area, at which voters can register. Residents can look up addresses for those locations at dallascountyvotes.org.
Earlier this month, on September 9, Texas State Senator, Royce West rallied a crowd of Denton county voters to register first and then vote at the polls during a Voters Education Forum at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center in Denton, Texas. The forum ran from 7-8:30 p.m. and featured a 9-member panel of election experts representing departments from the city, county, and state. Some of the institutions represented were the Texas Secretary of State, Denton County Elections,Wendy Davis Campaign, and LULAC. St. James A.M.E. Church and Martin Luther King Jr. Advisory Board hosted the event. Presiding over the event was Mary C. Taylor, PhD, Director of the St. James A.M.E. Church Social Action Commission. Taylor introduced presenters, who discussed the history, importance and ramifications of voting and offered voting logistics and voter registration information and rules. Audience members were given an opportunity to register to vote at the end of the event.
The evening's hot topic was the new Texas state Photo ID law requiring voters show one of seven forms of acceptable ID to vote. Acceptable I.D. forms include any of the following Texas DPS issued documents: (1)Driver's license (2) Identification Certificate (3)Personal Identification Card (4)Concealed Handgun License or any of the following U.S. issued documents: (5)Military Photo I.D. (6)Citizenship Certificate Photo I.D. or(7)Passport. Presenters emphasized that other identification will not be accepted as a substitute for one of the seven acceptable identification forms. For example, voters who recently moved to Texas cannot vote using an out-of-state I.D, and college students cannot vote using their campus I.D. Also emphasized was the fact that voters can get an Election I.D. Certificate free of charge. The audience was urged to review county elections guidelines online.
Speakers shared other pertinent information about photo ID requirements. Denton County Deputy Voter Registrar, Sandy Swan, for example, cautioned voters to make sure that when they use one of the seven acceptable forms of identification listed to vote, that the name on their I.D. matches their current name and that the I. D. does not have an expiration date over 60 days. Swan reiterated if either of these requirements is not met, voters will not be allowed to vote. On hand to discuss the controversy of the new voter registration Photo ID rule was Attorney Alejandro Reyes who introduced details of the current Justice Department suit against the state of Texas, which charges the photo I.D. requirement is discriminatory.
In her speech, Swan also urged voters to take responsibility not only in registering and casting votes, but in watching to make sure election standards, “are adhered to,” at the polls, like curbside voting for disabled adults. Swan also referred to the special procedures used for people overseas or in the military, and for convicted felons, whom she stated do re-assume their right to vote after completing their sentence.
Swan also urged voters to take advantage of the three types of voting available—depending upon their situation and election rules—voting early, by mail, or on election day. She explained that mail voting has the advantage of not requiring photo I.D or travel to the polls. She stated that early voting takes place at the Denton County Elections Office at 701 Kimberly Dr. in Denton, Texas.
Texas Senator Royce West stirred the crowd with the declaration that, “Elections matter, and have consequences.” In his address, West pointed to past election Texas Secretary of State statistics which showed that of 13.6 million voters registered, only 8 million voted. He also cited Texas voter turnout for the past two presidential elections as low, starting at only 45% in 2008, then dropping 2% more in 2012 down to 43%. West argued that the fallout of such low voting interest is the threat of the public's growing displeasure with leadership. He referenced cases like the, “over 600 school districts” that are suing the state. Senator West pleaded with audience members to be mindful that it is not voting once that offers the highest probability of satisfaction with government, but voting in every election. As he stated, “There are are no permanent friends, no permanent enemies, only permanent issues.” With that he encouraged voters to, “Stay in the vineyards,” reminding them that the Voting Rights Act passed 50 years ago, freeing more voters from discrimination.
Denton County elections Administration Contract Manager, Paula Paschal who trains judges and clerks for elections, gave instructions about the November election ballot: “There are 11 special elections,” she warned, “so make sure you vote all the way through the ballot.” Texas NAACP Vice President, Bob Lydia's word to voters was succinct: “Vote your conscience.” League of Women Voters, Sue Smith counseled that, “Informed voting is essential.”
Students also spoke out at the forum and were met with comments from panelists including Denton League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) President, Alfredo Sanchez who emphasized that students must educate themselves about voting. He mentioned the difference in voting attitudes from when he was younger. “Growing up we were taught. Students today don't know.” Sanchez advised that students who don't know where to start learning about candidates and the voting process might wish to start with the Internet.
Deputy Registrar Swan's cautionary words to the audience resonated: “Texas is not a red or a a blue state, but with one of the lowest voter registration percentages in the country is a non-voting State. When you don't vote, you turn over your vote to someone else.” Swan urged hearers to participate in mobilization activities like joining phone banks, transporting people without rides to the polls, reminding friends and neighbors to vote, becoming a Deputy Registrar, or registering in the on-site voter registration that right after the event. Residents seeking more voter information can go to votedenton.com.