A Piece of a Woman's Mind

II have just completed my service as an Election Clerk for early voting. In Texas our Spring elections are for nonpartisan local elections (city officials, school boards, bond issues, etc.) as well as political party primaries. Since 2016 I have worked at as many election events as I can because I believe it is my civic duty. In Texas we are paid for working, so I do like the income since I am retired. However, considering the amount of ongoing training required and the long hours, for most people there has to be an extra incentive to show up to work the polls. For most workers that is the realization that you can’t have a democracy without elections. And you can’t have elections without an organized, safe polling venue with poll workers to facilitate the voting process. Elections are an important opportunity for you to exercise your right of free speech. You express your opinions loudly at the ballot box.

In recent years in Texas our Republican-controlled legislature has passed many laws relating to how the polling places are managed, what kind of ID voters have to present in order to get a ballot, and what behavior is allowed while the voter is in the voting center. Some analysts have said that Texas is one of the most restrictive states regarding voting and have further charged that some of the laws amount to voter suppression. Some of the new laws make it possible for poll workers and voters to be charged with misdemeanors and felonies. As you may imagine, this has been a disincentive for some people to work the polls and for others to vote.

Furthermore, Texas uses public buildings like courthouses, schools and churches as polling places. The goal is to have enough available polling places to allow easy access for all voters without having to travel a long way and stand in a long line. This is becoming increasingly difficult because many public schools and churches which include a private school on their premises are refusing to allow their institutions to host a poll during early voting and/or on Election Day. Unfortunately Texas has had more than its share of school shootings, and parents are justifiably increasingly concerned with providing security for their children while they are at school. This means heavily restricting and controlling who may enter and be present at the school and its grounds. Voters, ALL voters, have free access to a voting center no matter where it is located.

No matter what the voting climate is in the various states, it is imperative that eligible voters show up at the polls. It is a great frustration for me that Texas ranks the lowest in eligible voter participation when compared to the other 49 states and Puerto Rico. This is true in spite of the fact that we are the second most populous state behind California. Clearly the eligible voters do not feel that it is worthwhile to take time to familiarize themselves with the issues on the ballot and then to cast their votes. They feel that their vote doesn’t count even though many crucial races on ballots in these days of extreme partisanship are decided by only a few votes.

In case you have forgotten, the U.S. and all its jurisdictions have a representative democracy. Citizens elect representatives to make laws and to carry out the “will of the people” by serving on legislatures, boards, commissions, courts, etc. If you don’t vote, you are voluntarily giving up one of the most important rights/privileges you have. I have pointed out in many of my blogs important government decisions that were made by male-dominated governing bodies who are not knowledgeable about the needs of women. On most ballots men dominate the slate of candidates because women have historically had a diminished ability to mount a campaign and find wealthy supporters. Therefore, the next best thing is to research the male candidates and find the best representative for the outcomes that you desire from your government.

If you have access to a computer, you can find bios for candidates with their positions on issues. Your local League of Women Voters, if there is one, also provides information on the candidates and races and their stance on important issues. You may also wish to ask your neighbors and people you trust and respect which candidates they are supporting and why. Perhaps you would rather focus on issues instead of the candidates (e.g. the price of prescription medicines, the availability of good public schools, tax rates, access to abortion, or equal rights for women). Often candidates are incumbents. Their voting record on important issues can be found online. It is important to check whether the incumbent has voted in favor of outcomes on issues that you approve.

If you pass up the chance to make your voice heard at the polls, you may be stuck with representatives who do not support your social and economic interests. Most representatives are elected for at least a two-year term, so you have to put up with whomever gets elected for a fairly long time. With partisanship on the rise, a candidate elected by a political party you do not agree with will most likely be unresponsive to your requests and concerns while they are in office no matter how many times you call or write them about your concerns. It is like having no representation at all.

Think about it. Ask yourself which officials support your point of view and your economic interests. How far up the line do you have to go in order to find a candidate that fits that description? If you are lucky you can find those people at the local level. If not, you may have to go clear up to the national level to find a senator or representative who represents your views, and that person may not be from your state. The only way to change that is to vote for a different candidate of your choice at every level when elections come around. If you are unable to do this exercise due to lack of knowledge, I suggest that it would be wise to take time to familiarize yourself with your governmental representatives. MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT, THEY ARE SPEAKING FOR YOU ON A DAILY BASIS.

Voting is a superpower that U.S. citizens are granted. To quote an old saw, “You snooze, you lose.” The year 2024 is important for elections because we once again choose the President of the United States. Inform yourself and vote. YOU, TOO, CAN BE A SUPERHEROINE EVERY TIME YOU VOTE.