Early voting for the Primary Runoff Elections begins today! Last week, we shared information with members of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) that included six basic rules for voting. If you did not read that article, please do so today! Above all, do not wait to get out and vote!
Where to Vote
If you have not yet determined your polling location, please visit this link! You can perform a search based on either your Texas driver’s license number, your Voter Unique Identifier (VUID) (which appears on your voter registration certificate) or your first and last name.
Voting Rules/Regulations
Early voting continues through May 23! Primary Runoff Election day is May 27.
Please bear in mind that if you voted in the Republican primary earlier this year, you may only vote in the Republican primary runoff (but not a Democratic runoff). Likewise, if you voted in the Democratic primary, you may only vote in the Democratic primary runoff.
Remember, as long as you are a registered voter, you CAN vote in the Primary Runoff Election even if you did not vote at all in the Primary Election in March. Please click here to review a comprehensive list of Primary Runoff Elections that TRTA is watching!
Your Power as a Voter
Very few voters vote in the Primary Election, and even fewer vote in the Primary Runoff Election.
As the voter pool dwindles, your power as a voter grows! TRTA members have the ability to swing any primary runoff election in the state SIMPLY BY SHOWING UP AND CASTING A VOTE!Do not underestimate how important your vote is in this election.
Choosing the Right Candidate
TRTA does NOT endorse candidates and makes every effort to work with all elected officials, but we do not want to leave you in the dark on these vital decisions.
Now more than ever, you may be receiving flyers in the mail and seeing commercials on television promoting candidates. The messages may be confusing or persuasive. The best advice that TRTA can offer as an organization is that our members vote for candidates that support the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS).
You may see or hear nothing in these flyers and commercials that provides you with the insight you need to determine if a candidate supports TRS and the defined benefit plan.
Talk to your fellow retirees about the candidates they support, and be sure to ask why! While you may not agree, it is important to gather this information to help you select your candidate of choice.
Do your research! In the past we have shared the ATPE resource Teach the Vote with our members (www.teachthevote.org). Other groups like Texas Parent PAC may be able to provide you with some insight on which candidates support public education and likewise support the TRS defined benefit plan. You can also reach out to other education associations that you may be familiar with.
Do not be wooed by slick marketing campaigns. Your fellow retirees and other education associations may be better resources for you to gather information about who supports TRS. You may also receive “slate cards” and sample ballots in the mail or even at your polling location. Please be cautious when reviewing these materials, as they are often financially supported by groups that are pushing specific political agendas and may or may not contain factual information.
Our Inside Line readers can also comment on our legislative updates now through the TRTA website. You will see a link at the end of this article that reads “You can view and comment on this Inside Line on our website by clicking here.” When you click on that link below, you will be taken to the TRTA website where you can share your opinions about candidates and read the opinions of other TRTA members.
Thank You and Stay Tuned!
Thank you for being a member of TRTA! If you are not a member of TRTA and want more information about joining, contact us at 1.800.880.1650. TRTA will continue to provide updates about the Primary Runoff Elections as the week progresses. Please share your questions or concerns with us by sending an email to info@trta.org.
