The members of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) are civic-minded and passionate about education and retirement issues. That’s why so many of you are making plans to get out and vote early for the upcoming November General Election!
Early voting begins Monday, October 24, 2016 and continues through Friday, November 4, 2016. The last day to request a ballot by mail is October 28.
You may have heard on the news or read online about the surge in voter registrations happening this election cycle. “Texas has a record-breaking 15 million people registered to vote ahead of the November election,” according to the Texas Tribune.
While this is great news, it also means there will be very long lines on Election Day! We encourage all of our members and our friends in the active educator community to make voting a top priority and make a plan to vote early!
TRTA is proud to partner with Texas Educators Vote, and we encourage all retired and active educators to take the oath to vote! We also encourage our retired members to volunteer at polling locations, or even at their local schools to allow very busy teachers an opportunity to go vote.
Locating Early Voting Sites
You will be able to find early voting locations by using the search site Am I Registered?, which will be populated with voting sites a few days before early voting begins. Or, you may want to contact the Early Voting Clerk for State and County Elections in your county. Also, many newspapers publish early voting and Election Day polling locations, so you may be able to find the information there.
Local unit leaders, activate your phone trees and remind your members about early voting schedules. Check with members who you think may need a ride to the polling location and offer to start a carpool on an early voting day!
Who to Vote For
Elections determine policy outcomes. They are the biggest factor in determining what happens during the Texas Legislative Session. We must elect officials who see the value in not only the TRS defined benefit plan, but our other valuable retirement benefits as well!
The Senators and Representatives who are elected during this cycle will have the enormous responsibility of deciding the future of TRS-Care. If nothing is done during the next Legislative Session to protect TRS-Care, participants in the program could see massive premium increases or changes in benefits, or both!
Many statewide races may have been decided during the March primaries, but there are still several competitive races on the ballot. Click on the links below to review Texas Senate and Texas House of Representatives races.
Click here to find Texas State Senate races.
Click here to find Texas State House of Representatives races.
Take some time now to visit your legislators in their district offices and contact any candidates to share this TRTA Fact Sheet with them. Ask them for their support of initiatives that provide our education retirees and pre-retirees with financial security and affordable, quality health care!
Still not sure who to vote for? Below are some resources TRTA recommends to help you conduct research on candidates. We also encourage you to visit a TRTA local unit and ask your fellow retirees who they are voting for and why!
Teach the Vote
Texas Educators Vote
Texas Teachers Vote
Texas Parent PAC
Texas League of Women Voters
Texas Tribune
Thank You
Thank you for being a member of TRTA! If you are not a member and are interested in joining, please contact our Membership Department at 1.800.880.1650.
Protecting your retirement benefits is one of TRTA’s top priorities, and your participation makes all the difference! Be sure to stay tuned to our other digital mediums to stay informed on all the latest news and updates. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
