Between presidential politics and the traditional turmoil of Texas legislative elections, the 2008 elections promise to be more interesting and important than ever. Many educators will have clear-cut choices before them, but don’t know how to go about helping the right people get elected. Some races will likely be very close, and – as we learned in 2006, when teacher favorite Carter Casteel lost by only 46 votes – every vote counts!
Be sure to cover all of The Basics (below); if you would like to help a particular candidate get elected, aim to take at least three of the actions listed in the What's Next section (further down).
Know your election dates. Early voting for the primary election runs February 19-29, and the primary elections are on Tuesday, March 4. The general election will be held on November 4, with early voting from October 20-31.
Find your early and regular voting places. Your local newspaper should publish this information, or you can contact the person who handles election duties for your county.
Find out who the candidates are. Use this website for information on the candidates in your state House and Senate districts.
Check the voting record and/or education positions of the candidates. This site includes voting records of incumbent candidates, and survey responses for other candidates who chose to fill out the questionnaire. (Note: prior to the March primary, TCTA only mailed surveys to those candidates with a primary opponent.)
Now that you've determined that there is a teacher-friendly candidate that you would like to support, here's how you can help.
Now that you’ve determined that there is a teacher-friendly candidate that you would like to support, here’s how you can help.
Contact the candidate to offer your assistance with his/her campaign. Since TCTA does not endorse candidates, you will need to offer assistance as an individual, not as a TCTA representative. Options include:
Spread the work. Tell your friends and family, church acquaintances, etc., about the candidate and urge them to vote. Send e-mails about his/her pro-education positions, and direct them to the candidate’s website.
Get local teachers excited and involved. Talk to your colleagues about how they can help the candidates campaign. Plan to carpool to your voting location and then proudly wear your “I VOTED!” STICKER.
Hold a candidate forum. TCTA has an information sheet on “Planning a Candidate Forum” that can help you get started.
Check to see if the candidate has requested an ACT contribution and/or mailing labels from TCTA. Since TCTA does not endorse candidates, campaign contributions and mailing labels allow us to provide support for pro-education candidates.
Emphasize early voting. Teachers (and other busy people) often find it very difficult to get to polling places on Election Day. Early voting provides an easy opportunity to vote at a convenient time.
Make a contribution – even a small one. Just $5 can buy 2 yard signs, and it only takes a few signs to make an impact on a single street. $5 also pays for 5 mailing pieces, or 5 bumper stickers, or for an hour’s worth of time from a block-walker. If you can convince a just a few others to contribute as well, suddenly you’ve made a big difference in a campaign.
Texas Teachers Vote
(a TCTA initiative, includes voting records of incumbents and will include candidate survey responses as they become available)
Texas Secretary of State
(has authority over all election proceedings in the state)
www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/index.shtml
Listing of county web sites for larger Texas counties
(these will include information on where to vote and other information specific to your community)
www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/links.shtml
Project Vote
(a state-sponsored initiative designed to familiarize students with the voting process; includes curriculum and materials for teachers)
www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/projectvote/index.htm
Updated: 02/18/08
Political advertising sponsored by ACT For TCTA, the political action committee of the Texas Classroom Teachers Association®. Copyright © 2006 All rights reserved.