Texas Impact

November 10, 2021 — Rio Texas MFSA

All Hands on Deck for Democracy Training Events

It’s never been more important for faith communities to provide nonpartisan election leadership! Texas Impact is teaming up with our member faith communities to ensure that every eligible Texan can vote in free and fair elections in 2022. Learn how you and your congregation can:

  • Register and resource voters
  • Assist vulnerable voters with vote-by-mail applications
  • Volunteer to work the polls

Register for Upcoming All Hands on Deck Training

In Dallas or Zoom

November 13 @ 9:00 AM

White Rock United Methodist Church, 1450 Old Gate Ln, Dallas, TX 75218

Register:  https://texasimpact.org/texas-faith-votes-all-hands-on-deck-for-democracy/

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Get Out the Vote!

September 9, 2020 — Rio Texas MFSA

 

General Election:  November 3

Last Day to Register:  October 5

Early Voting Begins:  October 13

Early Voting Ends:  October 30

Texas Voter Information  https://www.votetexas.gov/

League of Women Voters  https://my.lwv.org/texas/voting-elections

Vote Forward  https://votefwd.org/

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2020 Election Dates

February 15, 2020 — Rio Texas MFSA
2020 ELECTIONS                                                            IMPORTANT DATES

Tuesday, March 3, 2020 Joint Primary Elections

First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail

(First day to file does not move because of New Year’s Day holiday.
An “Annual ABBM” or Federal Postcard Application for a Jan or
Feb election may be filed earlier, but not earlier than the 60th day
before the date of the election.)                                                   Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Last Day to Register to Vote                                                         Monday, February 3, 2020

First Day of Early Voting in Person                                               Tuesday, February 18, 2020*

Last day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (received, not postmarked)   Friday, February 21, 2020

Last Day of Early Voting in Person                                                Friday, February 28, 2020

Saturday, May 2, 2020 Local Elections

Last Day to Register to Vote                                                         Thursday, April 2, 2020

First Day of Early Voting in Person                                                Monday, April 20, 2020

Last day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (received, not postmarked)   Monday, April 20, 2020*

Last Day of Early Voting in Person                                                Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Primary Runoff Elections (if required)

Last Day to Register to Vote                                                         Monday, April 27, 2020

First Day of Early Voting in Person                                                Monday, May 18, 2020

Last day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (received, not postmarked)   Friday, May 15, 2020

Last Day of Early Voting in Person                                                Friday, May 22, 2020

June 2020, Local Elections Runoff (if required; date to be determined)

Tuesday, November 3, 2020 Presidential Joint General and Special Elections

Last Day to Register to Vote                                                         Monday, October 5, 2020*

First Day of Early Voting in Person                                                Monday, October 19, 2020

Last day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (received, not postmarked)   Friday, October 23, 2020

Last Day of Early Voting in Person                                                Friday, October 30, 2020

December 2020, Joint General and Special Elections Runoff (if required; date to be determined)

 

https://countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/images/pdfs/2020_elections_calendar.pdf

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Get Out The Vote

January 17, 2020 — Rio Texas MFSA

Become a Volunteer Deputy Registrar

Voter Registration is the first step to get people to the polls to exercise their constitutional rights.

Many of the members of the League of Women Voters are Volunteer Deputy Registrars (VDRs).

VDRs are entrusted with registering voters face-to-face either at events or by going door to door.  VDRs make sure people are eligible, registered, and educated to vote.

If you want to be trained and authorized to be a VDR in Travis County, it is really quite simple.  Every month, Travis County hosts several one-hour VDR training sessions:

Third Thursday of every month
starting at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 6:30 pm

Travis County Voter Registrar’s office
4705 Heflin Ln, Austin, TX 78721  and 5501 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751
Click here for more info about Thursday sessions

For other counties in the central Texas area, please visit our Voter Information page for links to resources in your county.

Volunteer

Are you a VDR? Want to help the League Register Voters? Email the Register and Vote Committee Chair at VoterRegistration@lwvaustin.org or check our Volunteer Opportunities page.

Additional Volunteer Deputy Registrar Training
Saturday, January 18, 2020, 10:30 a.m.
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin
4700 Grover Avenue, Austin
Signup link: https://forms.gle/mRBGMBKzqqX4kViX7
Please consider becoming a Travis County Volunteer Deputy Registrar.
2020 ELECTIONS                                                                                                     IMPORTANT DATES

Tuesday, March 3, 2020 Joint Primary Elections

First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail

(First day to file does not move because of New Year’s Day holiday.
An “Annual ABBM” or Federal Postcard Application for a Jan or
Feb election may be filed earlier, but not earlier than the 60th day
before the date of the election.)                                                    Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Last Day to Register to Vote                                                          Monday, February 3, 2020

First Day of Early Voting in Person                                                 Tuesday, February 18, 2020*

Last day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (received, not postmarked)    Friday, February 21, 2020

Last Day of Early Voting in Person                                                 Friday, February 28, 2020

Saturday, May 2, 2020 Local Elections

Last Day to Register to Vote                                                           Thursday, April 2, 2020

First Day of Early Voting in Person                                                 Monday, April 20, 2020

Last day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (received, not postmarked)    Monday, April 20, 2020*

Last Day of Early Voting in Person                                                 Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Primary Runoff Elections (if required)

Last Day to Register to Vote                                                          Monday, April 27, 2020

First Day of Early Voting in Person                                                 Monday, May 18, 2020

Last day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (received, not postmarked)    Friday, May 15, 2020

Last Day of Early Voting in Person                                                 Friday, May 22, 2020

June 2020, Local Elections Runoff (if required; date to be determined)

Tuesday, November 3, 2020 Presidential Joint General and Special Elections

Last Day to Register to Vote                                                          Monday, October 5, 2020*

First Day of Early Voting in Person                                                 Monday, October 19, 2020

Last day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (received, not postmarked)    Friday, October 23, 2020

Last Day of Early Voting in Person                                                 Friday, October 30, 2020

December 2020, Joint General and Special Elections Runoff (if required; date to be determined)

https://countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/images/pdfs/2020_elections_calendar.pdf

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VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

October 9, 2019 — Rio Texas MFSA

Constitutional Amendment Order Decided For November 5 Election

The November 2019 Election season is here and we’re working hard to get citizens registered, informed, and out to vote. This November we will be voting on ten (10) Texas Constitutional Amendments. There are also several local municipality elections throughout Travis and Williamson Counties including Propositions, Bond Measures, and Council Member races.

Register to vote by October 7, 2019 to vote in the November 5 election

On November 5, 2019, Texans will have the opportunity to vote on nine amendments with a majority vote. See details at State of Texas website

https://www.sos.state.tx.us/about/newsreleases/2019/072319.shtml

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ACLU of Texas

October 9, 2019 — Rio Texas MFSA
 Austin Redistricting Postcard Party

OCTOBER 21, 2019 @ 6:00 PM –
@ 8:00 PM

For years, politicians have counted on Texans tuning out during this convoluted process — choosing to conduct their business behind closed doors and out of the public eye. The result? Partisan and racially gerrymandered districts where manipulated boundaries limit the power of voters. The time is now to keep the pressure on lawmakers to ensure a fair and transparent redistricting process.

A few weeks ago, lawmakers held a redistricting town hall in Austin to listen to residents’ thoughts on the redistricting process, but we want to make sure this isn’t the last they hear from you! If you weren’t able to make your testimony in person, you’ll have the chance to send the redistricting committee members a message at our postcard party on Monday, October 21.

 
Redistricting

By Terri Burke, Executive Director, ACLU

SEPTEMBER 16, 2019 – 3:00PM

I’ve got a secret for you, one that some Lone Star State politicians might not want you to know. An important statewide process is getting started ahead of the 2021 legislative session, a process that happens once every 10 years.

It’s called redistricting, or the redrawing of the districts that make up the legislative and congressional maps in Texas, and it matters more than you may know.

Redistricting is simple enough to grasp when you compare it to other things we replace every few years, like, say, an old car. When it just isn’t working like it used to or doesn’t meet your needs anymore, it’s time to think about getting a new model.

Similarly, redistricting should lead to new and improved electoral maps that reflect the growth and demographic changes that Texas communities undergo with time. Every 10 years, after the U.S. census determines how our communities have expanded and contracted, the Texas Legislature gets the task of redrawing fair maps that are inclusive of everyone.

Except it doesn’t always quite work that way, because, unfortunately, redistricting isn’t as easy as going to the dealership and riding out with a shiny, new F-150 two hours later.

The process is often fraught with complications, like lack of transparency and self-interest. Unlike in some other states, where an independent redistricting commission redraws the electoral maps, Texas legislators redraw and approve their own districts. If that seems backward, it should — after all, shouldn’t voters be the ones who select their elected officials, and not the other way around?

To make matters more complicated for the 2021 process, there have been a number of court battles as a result of the state redistricting that happened in 2011. The Supreme Court ruled in 2013 that Texas won’t need future federal oversight, as it has had for decades, to ensure that partisan gerrymandering — the intentional drawing of districts to benefit one party over another — doesn’t occur. All this despite immediate concerns from federal court judges about Texas’ past actions in redrawing its maps illegally.

This means that in 2021, redistricting will be totally in the hands of state legislators with no one to look over their shoulders, with costly litigation seemingly the only fix if things go awry.

 

Read more at: https://www.aclutx.org/en/news/redistricting-will-shape-our-next-10-years

 
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League of Women Voters

September 9, 2019 — Rio Texas MFSA

100th Birthday & Fall Kickoff

League of Women Voters Austin Area invites you to celebrate our 100th Birthday at our Fall Kickoff Event on Sunday, September 22nd. Doors open at 12:45pm and the day’s activities will include a 100 Years Strong celebration (featuring cake and beverages), remarks from our leadership, a special performance, and more! Free admission and parking. Open to the public.

  • Date: Sunday, September 22nd, 2019
  • Time: 1:00 – 4:00 PM
  • Where: Austin Asian American Resource Center 8401 Cameron Rd., Austin, TX 78751
RSVP Today!

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

League of Women Voters Austin Area

www.LWVaustin.org

512.451.6710

Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

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Austin Interfaith

September 6, 2018 — Rio Texas MFSA

Central Texas Interfaith

Action Agenda Assembly

Sunday, September 9th 2:00 – 4:00 pm

St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 8724 Travis Hills Dr., Austin TX 78735

 

Central Texas Interfaith is an initiative of Austin Interfaith, an alliance of 37 congregations, public schools, labor unions, and social service agencies in Central Texas.  Our purpose is to train leaders to organize their communities around addressing common concerns such as poor street conditions, living wage jobs, and access to health care.

At this assembly, we will develop our agenda of actionable issues based on concerns raised in small group discussions across Western Travis County that will guide our organizing efforts and a non-partisan voter engagement campaign. If you have an interest in working with your neighbors to advance practical political solutions to common issues, please join us!

A light meal will be provided. Please RSVP: cleal.austininterfaith@gmail.com or 210.508.8516

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From Texas Impact

September 6, 2018 — Rio Texas MFSA
RUN LIKE THE DEVIL, by award-winning independent film-maker Stephen Mims, documents the 2018 US Senate race between Ted Cruz and Beto O’Rourke.

A non-partisan deep dive that goes beyond the political campaigns, the film threads the stories of the candidates with those of their respective political parties during a historic period of national political tumult.

Participants include O’Rourke, Cruz, Evan Smith (Editor, Texas Tribune) Mark McKinnon (political consultant), David Richards (Ann Richard’s ex-husband and redistricting litigator) Bob Moore (former editor, El Paso Times) and Texas Impact’s own Josh Houston.

 
Courts & Ports

Witness with Texas Impact’s Border Initiative

Recently, Texas Impact staff and volunteers traveled to the border to witness the ongoing catastrophe of detention and deportation.

Now we’re inviting you to come with us on a two-day trip to the Rio Grande Valley to experience the crisis on the border for yourself–and return to share your experiences with your congregation and community.

Texas Impact’s Courts & Ports program features two full days of programming. Attendees will be trained by the ACLU and serve as court observers in federal court; receive a briefing from local advocates; visit a respite home for asylum-seekers; cross the bridge to stand with asylum-seekers attempting to enter the US; and participate in worship and discussion about the theological and practical implications of our nation’s current immigration policies.

To register for Courts & Ports or for more information, contact Project Coordinator Erica Nelson at erica@texasimpact.org.

 
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Habitat for Humanity

September 6, 2018 — Rio Texas MFSA

Austin is in a housing crisis.
Everyone knows it. Everyone feels it.

This is why we have come together in partnership with Foundation Communities, Meals on Wheels Central Texas, LifeWorks Austin, Caritas of Austin, HousingWorks Austin and Keep Austin Affordable to advocate for what can be one of the biggest investments in our community for generations: the Affordable Housing Bond.

“Affordable Housing Bond” may sound complicated and over the next few months, you’ll see and hear us talking about it a lot. We’ve put together FAQs that you can use to become informed and to better understand why we are advocating for this — Proposition A — to be voted into effect.

Sign up for our advocacy list to stay up-to-date with the Bond and how you can get involved.

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Voter Registration Basics

September 6, 2018 — Rio Texas MFSA

Voter Registration Basics

Ready to Vote?  Look up your registration, print a sample ballot, find a polling place, and view wait times at www.VoteTravis.com!

Tuesday, October 9, 2018 is the deadline to register
for the Tuesday, November 6, 2018 Gubernatorial Election.

Eligibility

You are eligible to register to vote if:

  • You are a United States citizen;
  • You are a resident of Travis County;
  • You are at least 17 years and 10 months old;
  • You are not a convicted felon, or, if convicted you have been pardoned or fully discharged your sentence, including any term of incarceration, parole, supervision, or probation; and
  • You have not been declared by a court to be either totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote.

Volunteers

Volunteer Deputy Registrars help register eligible citizens to vote by distributing, reviewing, and accepting completed voter registration applications. They serve for two-year terms expiring on December 31 of even-numbered years.

Want to Volunteer?

Training classes are scheduled for the following dates and locations:

  • Monday, October 1 at 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. – Room 3154, ACC Eastview Campus located at 3401 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78702.
  • Tuesday, October 2 at 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. (Room 410) and 6:30 p.m. (Room 201) – Highland Business Center located at 5930 Middle Fiskville Rd, Austin, TX 78752.
  • To schedule a remote training for a group of 15 or more, contact us at (512) 854-9473 or e-mail us.

Classes will begin promptly as scheduled and latecomers will not be admitted.

Volunteer Deputy Registrar Qualifications

To be appointed, an individual must be:

  • at least 18 years old;
  • a United States citizen; and
  • a Texas resident

An individual must not have been:

  • determined by a final judgment of a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be (1) totally mentally incapacitated or (2) partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote;
  • convicted of failing to deliver a voter application to a voter registrar;
  • convicted of a felony or, if so convicted, must have (1) fully discharged the sentence, including any term of incarceration, parole, or supervision, or completed a period of probation ordered by any court, or (2) be pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disability to vote;
  • convicted of identity theft under Section 32.51 of the Penal Code

Volunteer Deputy Registrar Duties

Volunteer Deputy Registrars help Travis County citizens register to vote by:

  • providing a voter registration application;
  • assisting in the completion of the application;
  • accepting and reviewing the completed application and giving receipts;
  • informing the applicant that voter registration certificates are mailed within 30 days;
  • submitting the applications in person to our office at 5501 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751 within 5 calendar days.

https://tax-office.traviscountytx.gov/voters/voter-registration

https://www.votetexas.gov/

THE NEXT ELECTION TAKES PLACE ON

NOVEMBER 6, 2018 GENERAL ELECTION

The General Election will take place on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

Last day to register to vote is Tuesday, October 9, 2018. 

Early voting takes place from Monday, October 22, 2018 – Friday, November 2, 2018.

To learn more about ID required for voting in person, check out the FAQs.

If you do not live in Travis County, contact the voter registrar or tax office in your county for training dates and specifics for your county.

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Texas Impact Voter Information

May 9, 2018 — Rio Texas MFSA

DON’T PUT THAT VOTER REGISTRATION AWAY YET…PRIMARY RUNOFFS ARE MAY 22

Fewer than 1 in 10 registered voters bothered to cast ballots in Texas’ last midterm primary runoffs–the decisive election for many officials, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

This year, there are more than 30 runoffs that span all levels of government. See all the races and candidates here

You DO NOT have to have voted in the primary on March 6 to vote in the runoffs! But if you DID vote in the primary, you can only vote in the runoff of the SAME party you chose in March. You DO NOT have to keep that party affiliation forever…in November, you can vote for candidates of all parties.

And good news: even if you didn’t vote in March because you weren’t registered yet, you can still vote in the runoffs as long as you register by April 23. Check to make sure you are registered here

May 22, 2018 Primary Runoffs Key Dates

Last Day to Register to Vote Monday, April 23, 2018
Last Day to Apply by Mail (Received, not Postmarked) Friday, May 11, 2018
First Day of Early Voting Monday, May 14, 2018
Last Day of Early Voting Friday, May 18, 2018
Election Day Tuesday, May 22, 2018
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Events from Common Ground for Texans

April 6, 2018 — Rio Texas MFSA
 Common Ground for Texans

“Advocating positive solutions through civil engagement”

 Have you heard about Seattle’s Democracy Voucher program? It’s a new way of publicly funding local elections by giving residents vouchers that they can donate to qualifying candidates. It encourages more participation in local democracy, and opens the way for candidates who might otherwise lack the financial resources to run for office. The result: a more diverse and representative democracy.

Seattle councilmember Teresa Mosqueda recently visited our city to explain the program. And Austin’s Charter Review Commission is working on a version of our own, called Democracy Dollars, which may be put on the November 2018 ballot. Read more about it on our website — you can download the latest commission draft proposal here.

Also, in case you missed our March 3 meeting on redistricting, you can now watch it on video.

Finally, here are the upcoming meetings we’ve planned. Put these on your calendar now so you’ll be sure not to miss them:

  • Saturday, April 7: Generation Screwed: What did the Baby Boomers leave the Millennials? (at Old Quarry branch library)
  • Saturday, May 5: Finding Common Ground on Criminal Justice Reform (at Wildflower Unitarian Universalist Church, 1314 E. Oltorf)
  • Saturday, June 9: Freedom of Speech, Identity Politics and Political Correctness (at Old Quarry)
  • Saturday, Sept. 8: Election Security in Texas with Dana DeBeauvoir (at Old Quarry)

All events will be from 2 to 4 pm.
Join Common Ground for Texans for our next general meeting, on Saturday, April 7, at Old Quarry branch library when we’ll host a panel discussion about how current American politics and policy harm the future of millennials.

Millenials have taken on 300% more student debt than their parents. They’re only half as likely to own a home as young adults were in 1975. A recent Huffington Post article entitled “Generation Screwed” examines these and other facts about today’s youth, asking whether there are structural disadvantages for young adults today. How is the American Dream faring among millennials?

Our panelists will include diverse experts in zoning, student loans, and engaging millennials in politics. We will discuss each of these issues as they stand today and what we can do to improve them for the future, with:

  • Greg Anderson, City of Austin Planning Commission
  • Amy Stansbury, co-founder, A Functional Democracy
  • Kevin McLaughlin, product manager, Student Loan Genius

Moderated by Mike Ignatowski. We hope you can make it! And please invite friends on Facebook!

 
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Texas Impact Voter Information

April 6, 2018 — Rio Texas MFSA

DON’T PUT THAT VOTER REGISTRATION AWAY YET…

PRIMARY RUNOFFS ARE MAY 22

Fewer than 1 in 10 registered voters bothered to cast ballots in Texas’ last midterm primary runoffs–the decisive election for many officials, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

This year, there are more than 30 runoffs that span all levels of government. See all the races and candidates here

You DO NOT have to have voted in the primary on March 6 to vote in the runoffs! But if you DID vote in the primary, you can only vote in the runoff of the SAME party you chose in March. You DO NOT have to keep that party affiliation forever…in November, you can vote for candidates of all parties.

And good news: even if you didn’t vote in March because you weren’t registered yet, you can still vote in the runoffs as long as you register by April 23. Check to make sure you are registered here

May 22, 2018 Primary Runoffs Key Dates

Last Day to Register to Vote Monday, April 23, 2018
Last Day to Apply by Mail (Received, not Postmarked) Friday, May 11, 2018
First Day of Early Voting Monday, May 14, 2018
Last Day of Early Voting Friday, May 18, 2018
Election Day Tuesday, May 22, 2018
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Vote! VOTE! Vote! VOTE! Vote!

February 27, 2018 — Rio Texas MFSA

Texas Impact: WE HEARD YOU! 

Our Primary Endorsement Guide is Now Searchable and Sortable…Plus We’ve Added More Endorsers 

The guide now includes endorsements from:

NEW!   TX State Teachers Assoc.

NEW!   Combined Law Enforcement of TX (CLEAT)

Parent PAC (public schools)

TX Association of Business

TX Association of Manufacturers

Grassroots America (constitutional conservatives)

TX Farm Bureau

TX Values (“family values”)

TX Society of Anesthesiologists

 NEW! TX AFT (public ed)

NEW! TX Eagle Forum

TX AFL-CIO (unions)

TX Medical Association (doctors)

TX Right to Life (abortion)

TX Home School Coalition

Empower Texans (reduce government)

Young Conservatives of TX

TX Health Care Assoc. (nursing homes)

TX Association of Realtors

The guide helps potential voters make sense of statewide and Texas House and Senate candidates in the 2018 primary election. The guide compares endorsements by many of the state’s most influential endorsers. Wondering who to vote for? The endorsements guide can help you identify the candidates who share YOUR values.

Read the endorsement guide

Early Voting Has Already Begun!  (Feb 20 – Mar 2)

Are you ready to vote? Here’s a checklist to help you head to the polls:

  1. Check your voter registration and find your polling locations here.
  2. Find out what forms of ID are accepted, and what to bring if you don’t have one of the types of photo ID.
  3. Get a copy of your sample ballot from the League of Women Voters to see the races and propositions you’ll vote on.
  4. Print a copy of the Texas Impact Primary Elections Endorsements Guide (or take good notes!) to take to the voting booth! No cell phones are allowed while voting.
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