Members of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA), early voting for the November General Election begins today, October 21! As we head into the 89th Legislative Session that begins in January, it’s important for our members to vote.
We encourage our members to vote early and to bring along friends, family members, and neighbors to the polls. Review your ballot ahead of time and make a plan!
Key Dates for the 2024 November General Election
| Oct. 21-Nov. 1 | Early voting period |
| Oct. 25 | Last day to apply to vote by mail |
| Nov. 5 | Election Day |
Deadline to Request Ballot by Mail is Thursday, October 25
In Texas, you’re allowed to vote by mail if:
- You will be 65 or older by Election Day.
- You will not be in your county for the entire voting period, including early voting.
- You cite a sickness or disability that prevents you from voting in person without needing personal assistance or without the likelihood of injuring your health.
- You’re expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day.
- You are confined in jail but otherwise eligible (i.e., not convicted of a felony).
Learn more about voting by mail and download an application by visiting this website.
Find Your Polling Place
You may use the Texas Secretary of State website to find your polling locations and hours of voting. County election offices should also have information about polling locations for Election Day and during the early voting period posted on their websites. Please keep in mind that polling locations may change, so be sure to check your county’s election website before going to vote.
Voter ID Information
You’ll need one of seven types of valid photo ID to vote in Texas:
- 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)
Learn more about voter IDs here.
Researching Candidates
As you decide how to vote, please download TRTA’s Legislative Priorities for the 89th Legislative Session. TRTA does not endorse candidates for political office. We do ask our members to reach out to candidates and ask them where they stand on issues that matter to TRS retirees.
TRTA’s Priorities may be useful to you as you determine which candidates at the state and federal levels support issues that impact retired Texas public school personnel.
- If they are candidates for the Texas Legislature, will they commit to fully funding the pension fund and TRS-Care, and providing a benefit enhancement for TRS retirees when possible?
- If they are congressional candidates, will they commit to ending the Social Security offsets— the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO)—that reduce Texas educators’ earned benefits?
Finding Candidate Forums
Many TRTA local chapters are conducting candidate forums this fall. Some districts will also host candidates at their fall conferences. Ask for details from your local chapter president if you already are a chapter member or contact a local chapter or district near you for more information.
Raise Your Hand Texas is hosting multiple candidate forums across Texas. Teach the Vote is a great resource for locating information about candidates’ positions on education issues. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that provides voting and candidate information. Visit www.411.org to learn more.
Thank You!
Thank you for being a member of TRTA. Please renew your dues with TRTA if you have not done so already, as our work in the Texas Capitol and on Capitol Hill is fueled by our members’ financial support! If you know someone who is not a member, please invite them to join us! There is strength in numbers and the surest way for us to accomplish success is to grow the organization.
