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.
More Mailbag
- Mailbag: Getting the Boot
How many citations until you get a boot on your vehicle? Is there a campus nurse? - Mailbag: Print the Legend
Is Texas Tech the second-largest contiguous college campus in the country? - Mailbag: Playing Chicken
Exploring the world of campus crosswalks. - Mailbag: Halloween Happenings
How best to celebrate All Hallows Eve. - Mailbag: Beyond Okay
Mental health, and what Texas Tech is doing to help. - Mailbag: Home for the Holidays
Planning your holiday travels? We've got you covered. - Mailbag: Thanksgiving Extravaganza!
In which we answer two reader questions about Turkey Day. - Mailbag: Giving Thanks
The Mailbag stays in-house this week as we give thanks for the many blessings in our lives. - Mailbag: Highly Recommended
What to do when you need a letter of recommendation. - Mailbag: Let the Commencements Commence
Everything from parking at the ceremony to ideas about what to do afterward! - Mailbag: A Horse's A**
At issue is a certain horse's hindquarters, a college down south and if the two actually intersect. - Mailbag: Checking In
Parents with questions: where to see their student's grades and how to see TechAlerts. - Mailbag: Celebrating Dr. King
MLK Day offers much more than a reprieve from classes and work. - Mailbag: Let's Get Judgy
What are Texas Tech's world-class judging teams actually judging and how do they get judged themselves? We're here to find out. - Mailbag: Happy Snow Day
What a snow day looks like at Texas Tech. - Mailbag: Evermore
We look at Texas Tech's award-winning magazine. - Mailbag: All About Love
Valentine's Day is right around the corner, so we're sharing some Texas Tech love stories. - Mailbag: The Hub for Success
The Raider Success Hub is a new tool designed to help students succeed. - Mailbag: The Hub for Success
The Raider Success Hub is a new tool designed to help students succeed. - Mailbag: All About Love Part II
Two weeks back, we shared a couple of stories of Red Raiders in love. We liked it so much we're doing it again. - Mailbag: Here with the Wind
A little bit (maybe a whole lot) of West Texas coming at y'all. - Mailbag: Spring Break Safety
Make good choices. - Mailbag: Service It Up
Take on the challenge and get those service hours counted. - Mailbag: More to Come
We hope you enjoyed our latest series, but we're just getting started. - Mailbag: Was That Sky Water?
Talking about a rainy day. - Mailbag: Finish Strong
We're looking at a fine way to close out your first year on campus. - Mailbag: How and Why We Ranch Horse
In case you were curious, we build champions around here. - Mailbag: What's Not To Love?
A column in which we discuss a call with a friend. - Mailbag: Looks Like You Made It
You're Red Raiders for life now, no take backs. - Mailbag: Building Up
Texas Tech hosted its first topping out ceremony of its second century, but it won't be the last. - Mailbag: Taking Over
What does it take to turn Dallas red? - Mailbag: Off to the Races
Texas Tech and LISD partnered on a STEM project involving races and student-built vehicles. - Mailbag: Everything Evermore All At Once
What does it take to become the best of the best? - Mailbag: Red Raider Community
In which we talk about what the Red Raider community is. - Mailbag: Happy Independence Day
Where we talk about summer, safety and making good decisions. - Mailbag: Two Mondays
A weird week of work and a couple other things you should know. - Mailbag: Why Semiconductors Matter
You may be surprised to learn how much is happening at Texas Tech. - Mailbag: Let's Go Dining
We're talking about food, so please enjoy. - Mailbag: Clarion Awards
Another round of awards and a night to remember. - Mailbag: Leading from Lubbock
After a whirlwind week in the Big 12, it is worth noting the huge role President Lawrence Schovanec played in the latest round of realignment. - Mailbag: Let's Talk About the Weather
Fake fall came and went, but we learned some things. - Mailbag: Day of Giving
Texas Tech's second Day of Giving was a massive success, thanks to all of you, but how does the whole thing come together? - Mailbag: What's Up With Hurricane Season?
Hurricane season is clearly here, so we asked why they're hitting left, right and center. - Mailbag: Life Advice from Jimmy Buffett
A legend has passed, but we can all still appreciate what he brought us. - Mailbag: The Villain of the Housing Market?
Short-term rentals are feeling the heat, but are they the true villains? - Mailbag: Hard-Working People
When trouble hits, the Operations Division responds. - Mailbag: What Texas Tech Has Always Been About
President Schovanec's State of the University highlighted many records while emphasizing Texas Tech's priority: our students. - Mailbag: Fall Agritourism
It's that time of year, so enjoy it and be respectful. - Mailbag: Help Is Near
Let's talk about people, purpose and believing in good. - Mailbag: Get Out And Vote
Get to the polls and let your voice be heard.
