Texas Tech University

Mailbag: Get Out and Vote

Allen Ramsey

November 3, 2023

Get to the polls and let your voice be heard.

Welcome back to the Mailbag!

Today we’re going to talk about getting involved in the civic process and why it matters, and there’s no better time to do that than right now.

Next week, across Texas, voters will turn up at polling stations to cast their votes in the constitutional amendment special elections. 

If you’re wondering what exactly that is, these elections give the voters of Texas the right to approve constitutional amendments. These amendments have already been passed by the state legislature, but to go into effect Texas voters must pass them in an election. 

This election has 14 constitutional amendments for Texas voters to consider. Among them is Proposition 5. It covers the creation of the Texas University Fund and has to potential to elevate Texas Tech University’s research capabilities

Other amendments concern things like property taxes, cost of living adjustments for retired teachers, water infrastructure, broadband infrastructure and maintaining and creating new state parks. 

We here at Texas Tech can’t and won’t tell you how to vote on these things. That’s not our place. 

Some in this office and at this university feel very strongly about what we’d like to see, but our belief is that the merit and value behind what we support will shine through and Texas voters will see that. 

That’s why we are asking for your engagement in the process.

Constitutional amendment special elections, generally, have very low voter turnout. Since 2001, the overall voter turnout in Texas for these elections has ranged from 3% at the low end to 13% at the high end. That’s less than half of what would normally be expected for things like gubernatorial primary elections. 

So, while we won’t tell you which way to vote on Nov. 7, we do encourage you to let your voice be heard. 

If you’re in Lubbock, you can find a full list of polling places here for election day voting. If you’re somewhere else in Texas, this link makes it easy to find your voting locations

Remember to bring one of these acceptable forms of identification: 

  • Texas Driver License
  • Texas Election Identifications Certificate
  • Texas Personal Identification Certificate
  • Texas Handgun License
  • U.S. Military Identification Card
  • U.S. Citizenship Certificate
  • U.S. Passport

Be part of the process and let your voice be heard. 


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