Texans Care Voice: How does the League of Women Voters of Texas go about its work to encourage informed and active participation in Texas government? What initiatives should Texans know about and get involved with at the community level?
Susan Shelton, Executive Director, League of Women Voters of Texas: LWV-Texas and our 29 local Leagues are gearing up for the November 2 General Election with plans for voter registration drives, distribution of nonpartisan Voters Guides to inform voters about candidates and issues, candidate forums and debates, and get-out-the-vote efforts. The state League will publish a nonpartisan Voters Guide covering state and regional races, work on a candidate forum for the governor's race, and publicize election dates and issues. Our local Leagues are working on local Voters Guides, voter registration, local candidate forums, and get-out-the-vote initiatives.
To help voters cast an informed ballot, nonpartisan League Voters Guides provide the unedited responses of candidates in contested races on pertinent public policy issues, list candidates in uncontested races, and offer other helpful information such as voting dates or sites. The LWV-Texas Voters Guide includes state and regional races from Governor through State Board of Education. Voters Guides of our local Leagues cover county and city races. The League Voters Guides are a trusted source for candidate views in their own words.
The LWV-Texas Voters Guide will be posted in both English and Spanish to the League's website, http://www.lwvtexas.org/, in early September. The website also provides links to the 29 local Leagues and their local Voters Guides. Print copies of the Voters Guide are distributed by local Leagues and provided to libraries in areas where there is no local League by the state League. LWV-Texas will contact media throughout the state, plus colleges and universities, on election issues with news releases about voter registration, the availability of the Voters Guide, early voting, and Election Day voting rights.
As a multi-issue organization, LWV also studies public policy issues, takes positions where there is member consensus, works to educate the public through forums and publications, and advocates change in collaboration with appropriate groups like Texans Care for Children. The state League's advocacy team will be extremely busy during the legislative session beginning in January 2011, keeping members and the public informed through the League's Legislative Newsletter and Action Alerts.
For League information about the election or legislative session, visit the League's website, email info@lwvtexas.org and ask to be put on our email list for the Voters Guide or Legislative Newsletter, or follow the League on Twitter and Facebook.
TCV: How does getting out and voting help the future of our state, including children who have no vote?
SS: State and county officials who will be making key decisions affecting the future of children over the next two to four years will be elected November 2. Races on the ballot include all Congressional Representatives, Governor, half of the state Senators, all of the state House, half of the State Board of Education, many judicial positions, and many county offices.
Making sure Texans are registered to vote, becoming informed about candidates and issues, and voting for candidates the voter feels will make the right decisions on behalf of children is terribly important. Encourage others to do the same. After the election, make sure to keep in touch with your elected officials and let them know how important issues affecting children are to you.
TCV: What suggestions do you have for other groups working to get out the vote and/or produce more informed voters in their area?
SS: Every person can promote voter turnout by making sure others know about the candidates and issues as well as election processes.
At an individual level, word of mouth, email, and social media like Facebook are helpful ways to inform others about important points in the election process. Share information such as the voter registration deadline of October 2, early voting dates of October 16-29, and sources of information on candidates and issues (e.g., email the link to the Voters Guide or time/place for a candidate forum). Invite others to attend a candidate event or to vote either during early voting or on Election Day. Individuals can be deputized by their county Elections Administrator so that they can register others to vote. A letter to the editor of the local newspaper on the importance of voting and issues that impact children can reach a wide audience.
Groups should make sure all of their members are registered, informed and encouraged to vote. Individuals unsure of their voter registration can verify their status on the Secretary of State's website, https://team1.sos.state.tx.us/voterws/viw/faces/Introduction.jsp, or by calling their county Elections Administrator. Consider having a deputized member bring registration materials to meetings in September and register anyone who is not yet registered to vote. Let members know about candidate forums and events in your area organized by groups like the League. Consider inviting candidates to speak to your group. Helpful guidelines for handling candidate events can be found on the League website. Groups also can provide links to important information on our website.
