Be A Well-Informed Voter!
(Denton County, Texas, Edition)
Have you ever been surprised by the ballot when you went to vote? Were you unprepared to choose between candidates or to decide a proposition?
If you answered yes, this guide can help you be aware of what to expect at the polls. Reflect on your own values, prepare in advance, and cast a ballot that is aligned with your vision of a democratic society.
Your Vote Is Important
According to the Texas Secretary of State, in the November 2020 Presidential election, only 52.4% of the voting age population cast ballots. Turnout for other elections is often much lower: for the November 2021 election on amendments to the Texas Constitution only 6.8% of the voting age population turned out to vote!
When only half (or less) of the eligible population is voting, your voice can make a big difference in how the government runs, sets policy, and responds to the needs of society. Politicians pay attention if a vote is very close, or a landslide in one direction.
Register to Vote
In Texas, voters must be registered at least 30 days prior to the election. Each county has an elections office that registers voters, runs elections, and reports outcomes. The Denton County, Texas, elections website, www.votedenton.gov, has registration forms, instructions, and a way to check registration status online.
See The Ballot Before You Vote
For the ballot in Denton County, Texas, go to www.votedenton.gov and look for early voting information or election day information , select current and upcoming election information, then sample ballot lookup. Print the ballot and mark it as a cheat sheet to take into the voting booth, where mobile phones are not allowed.
Get More Information
- The Texas Legislative Council publishes non- partisan analyses of constitutional amendments and a variety of other reports on its website: tlc.texas.gov/publications.
- The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan, grassroots organization that asks candidates to complete a questionnaire and then posts the responses, and provides links to information about other ballot measures: vote411.org/ballot. (The League of Women Voters of Denton provides a compilation of VOTE411 information as well.)
- Look for endorsements from news media that align with your values. Major metropolitan newspapers in Texas include Austin American-Statesman, Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Houston Chronicle, and San Antonio Express-News. Other noteworthy sources are the Texas Observer and the Texas Tribune. Also look at endorsements from entities that are opposed to your values to help make your voting decisions.
- Look for information from associations that match your values. These can include political parties, action groups, neighborhood associations, service organizations, social clubs, and religious entities. Some may not offer endorsements but can raise awareness of issues that matter to them.
- For information on other ballot measures like spending proposals (bonds), referendums, and changes to laws, try searching the website of the entity that placed the issue on the ballot (examples: the state legislature, county or city government, local tax district, utility district).
Make A Plan To Vote … Then Do It!
While voting is serious business, it can also be fun. Invite friends and make it an outing! Plan ahead and vote early to avoid lines on election day. You can get free round-trip transportation to your polling station by contacting Rideshare2Vote.
We all benefit when people vote their values and make their voices heard. That is how democracy thrives. Thank you for participating in the election!
This guide was produced by the Social Justice Team of the Denton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. First published October 2022, to the public domain. There is a PDF version of this information.