Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) members and supporters—early voting continues today and through November 3. Send us your “I VOTED!” photos and we will post them on Facebook! Photos may be sent to info@trta.org.
Let’s Go Vote!
Proposition 9 is on the ballot and will provide a much-needed cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 420,000 Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) annuitants! You can read details about the proposed COLA at this link.
Every day, we will share with our members and supporters an important reason to vote FOR Prop 9!
Today’s reason is:
- Prop 9 won’t create a tax increase! The Texas Legislature has already set aside the funds to make this happen with voter approval.
Important Note About Prop 9
A few members have contacted TRTA asking if Proposition 9 has ties to any other public policy issue besides the COLA for TRS retirees, specifically asking if it relates to the school voucher issue.
The answer is no, Prop 9 is not related to the school voucher issue in Texas (which is still being addressed by the Legislature in a third special session).
Prop 9 was passed unanimously as Senate Bill 10/House Joint Resolution 2 during the regular 88th Legislative Session and the COLA for TRS annuitants is the ONLY item being addressed by a vote within Prop 9. A vote FOR Prop 9 is a vote to provide 420,000 eligible TRS annuitants with a two, four, or six percent COLA (depending upon date of retirement). Learn more here.
Bring 10 Votes For Prop 9 With You to the Polls!
TRTA is setting the goal for every member to bring 10 friendly “FOR Prop 9” votes with them to the polls this November. Make sure you finalize your 10 commitments this week!
TRTA has set up this webpage to share information that our members will find helpful when speaking to others about supporting Prop 9. Share this information with your neighbors and other people in your community. The page includes a Voter Alert Flyer, as well as a Prop 9 Push Card.
Early Voting Period: October 23-November 3
The early voting period in Texas begins Monday, October 23 and continues through Friday, November 3. Learn more about early voting in Texas here. You do not have to meet any special qualifications to vote early in person–if you are registered and qualified to vote on Election Day, you can also cast a ballot during the early voting period!
TRTA encourages its members to get out and vote as early as possible! Don’t forget to bring along family members and friends to the polls with you!
Early Voting Locations
Registered and eligible voters may vote at ANY early voting location located in their county of residence. Early voting locations will be populated in the “My Voter Portal” two days prior to the first day of early voting. Here, you can enter your Name, County, Date of Birth, and ZIP code to find your nearest polling location. You can also contact the Early Voting Clerk for State and County Elections in your county for early voting locations. Many newspapers publish early voting polling locations as well.
Please note that polling place hours vary at each early voting location, and we encourage you to verify those hours prior to voting.
Voter ID Information
Under Texas law, voters who possess one of the seven acceptable forms of photo ID must present that ID at the polls when voting in person. Voters who do not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of the seven approved forms of photo ID may fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration (RID) (PDF) at the polls and present an alternative form of ID, such as a utility bill, bank statement, government check, or a voter registration certificate.
Here is a list of the acceptable forms of photo ID:
- Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
- Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
- United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
- United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
- United States Passport (book or card)
- For more information about Voter IDs, please visit this link.
Thank You!
Let’s check all the boxes to get Prop 9 passed this November! Tell everyone you know about the importance of the pension increase for TRS retirees.
Thank you for being a member of TRTA. We are asking members to renew their dues with TRTA if they have not done so already. If you know someone who is not a member, please invite them to join us!