The Texas Elementary Principal and Supervisors (TEPSA) is focused
on the election season, and you should be too! As we approach the Texas
primaries, TEPSA will be presenting a number of articles to help you as you
encourage your teachers to vote for candidates that are good for kids and for
education. At the same time, we want you to stay within the bounds of your
school board policies and state law.
The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) is publishing a series of articles about developing “Good Voter Health?” “Good Voter Health” is a term used to describe an active and informed member of the voting community. While there are several key factors in exercising your voter muscle, the first is that you always VOTE!
The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) is publishing a series of articles about developing “Good Voter Health?” “Good Voter Health” is a term used to describe an active and informed member of the voting community. While there are several key factors in exercising your voter muscle, the first is that you always VOTE!
Make no mistake: educators CAN have voter muscle. Recent surveys
of our state’s teacher organizations found that 80% of their members are
registered to vote and that 30% of them exercise their right to vote. While
that might not seem like a lot, it is miles ahead of any other group.
The question becomes, why aren’t our votes making a difference?
Could it be that we are not helping educate our members and their staffs which
policies and politicians are good for kids? Do even our members know the same?
For example, I recently this question to a group of politically active
principals, “Do you know the difference between a defined benefit and a defined
contribution?” Few of them knew that one gives you a steady income in
retirement that will last your lifetime (defined benefit) and the other is a
retirement check that fluctuates and is not guaranteed to last your lifetime.
This benefit to educators is under attack and we need to vote for those
candidates that will support our retirement.
Most races are decided in the primary elections, but few voters turn out for these spring races. TEPSA is here to tell its members that voting in the primary election is more than just important, it is vital!
Early voting for the primary elections begins on February 16, 2016 and continues through February 26, 2016. Primary election day is Tuesday, March 1. Election Day is a mere six weeks away!
Before you can vote in the primary elections, you must be registered to vote! Today, we encourage ALL TEPSA MEMBERS to answer this question for themselves: Am I registered to vote?
To confirm your voter registration status, please visit this link provided by the Texas Secretary of State website. Please have your driver’s license handy when using this website. Use the ‘MVP’ area dropdown to enter your login information.
What if I need or want to change my name or address on my voter registration?
You can use the Secretary of State site to update your name or address on your voter registration record. TEPSA has received phone calls from members expressing concern about having a different name on their driver’s licenses than what appears on their voter registration cards. And, we know that many of our staff members experience marriages and/or divorces which cause name and address changes. If this issue concerns you, please address it NOW. Use this link to make name and address changes.
Please note that this service will only work if you reside in the same county as is indicated on your current voter registration card. If you have moved to a new county and need to register to vote, please click here.
I’m not registered! What do I do?
If you are not registered to vote, register today. Please use the link to register as soon as possible. The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming primary election is February 1, 2016.
I have a question about my voter registration that hasn’t been answered by the Secretary of State website. Who can I contact?
If you are still experiencing difficulties with your voter registration, please contact your County Election Administrator. A complete list of county election administrators and their contact information can be found at this link.
Where do I vote?
If you are already registered to vote, it is time to begin researching voting locations. Remember, if you are voting early, you do not have to vote in your precinct.
Consider the time you have available between February 16 and February 26, and determine if you can vote on one of those days instead of primary election day, March 1. Early registration might be something to consider for you and your teachers.
Registered and eligible voters may vote at ANY early voting location located within the county of residence. Check with your Early Voting Clerk at the County Election Administrators office to determine locations within your county where early voting will take place. Many early voting sites are open on the weekends. Have a coffee meeting with your teachers and then go vote! Be sure and wear your ‘I voted’ sticker to work and explain the importance of voting to your kids!
Watch for our “What Principals Can Do” list soon.
Most races are decided in the primary elections, but few voters turn out for these spring races. TEPSA is here to tell its members that voting in the primary election is more than just important, it is vital!
Early voting for the primary elections begins on February 16, 2016 and continues through February 26, 2016. Primary election day is Tuesday, March 1. Election Day is a mere six weeks away!
Before you can vote in the primary elections, you must be registered to vote! Today, we encourage ALL TEPSA MEMBERS to answer this question for themselves: Am I registered to vote?
To confirm your voter registration status, please visit this link provided by the Texas Secretary of State website. Please have your driver’s license handy when using this website. Use the ‘MVP’ area dropdown to enter your login information.
What if I need or want to change my name or address on my voter registration?
You can use the Secretary of State site to update your name or address on your voter registration record. TEPSA has received phone calls from members expressing concern about having a different name on their driver’s licenses than what appears on their voter registration cards. And, we know that many of our staff members experience marriages and/or divorces which cause name and address changes. If this issue concerns you, please address it NOW. Use this link to make name and address changes.
Please note that this service will only work if you reside in the same county as is indicated on your current voter registration card. If you have moved to a new county and need to register to vote, please click here.
I’m not registered! What do I do?
If you are not registered to vote, register today. Please use the link to register as soon as possible. The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming primary election is February 1, 2016.
I have a question about my voter registration that hasn’t been answered by the Secretary of State website. Who can I contact?
If you are still experiencing difficulties with your voter registration, please contact your County Election Administrator. A complete list of county election administrators and their contact information can be found at this link.
Where do I vote?
If you are already registered to vote, it is time to begin researching voting locations. Remember, if you are voting early, you do not have to vote in your precinct.
Consider the time you have available between February 16 and February 26, and determine if you can vote on one of those days instead of primary election day, March 1. Early registration might be something to consider for you and your teachers.
Registered and eligible voters may vote at ANY early voting location located within the county of residence. Check with your Early Voting Clerk at the County Election Administrators office to determine locations within your county where early voting will take place. Many early voting sites are open on the weekends. Have a coffee meeting with your teachers and then go vote! Be sure and wear your ‘I voted’ sticker to work and explain the importance of voting to your kids!
Watch for our “What Principals Can Do” list soon.
For questions email
or call Mark Terry, Deputy Executive Director:
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