Election season is finally upon us. Check out our 2016 Ballot Cheat Sheet to learn about the candidates running, and scroll to the bottom to learn more about how, where, and when to vote.
Written by: Tess Cagle and Hannah McMorris
Illustrations by: Ryan Hicks
Research Conducted by: ORANGE ATX Staff
Who?
Any registered voter in the state of Texas. According to VoteTexas.gov, Texans are eligible to register to vote if they are a United States citizen; a resident of the county where you submit the application; at least 18 years old on Election Day; not a convicted felon (you may be eligible to vote if you have completed your sentence, probation, and parole); and have not been declared by a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be either totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote. You had until February 1 to register the vote.
Not sure if you’re registered? Check here.
What?
Registered voters can vote in Travis County primary elections. Your ballot will have so much more than just the presidential nominees– it also includes State Representatives, Senators, Judges and more. You can view a sample of your ballot here.
When?
Early voting begins February 16 and ends February 26. The primaries are officially held on March 1.
Where?
During early voting, registered voters can vote at any early voting location in their county of residence. (Helpful hint: you can vote at the FAC on campus.) On March 1, you’ll need to vote within your precinct– you can check your voting location here.
Why?
The state-wide primary election functions to narrow each party down to one candidate. The candidates who win the primary election will move on to the general election, which will happen on November 8th.
Your vote counts! Though much of the 2016 election seems to revolve around the presidential candidates, the Travis county governmental body has a direct impact on what goes on in your immediate area. Primary elections provide a chance for you to play a larger role in your community. Making your voice known during the early voting process is not an opportunity to be missed.
Handy Links:
VoteTravis.com – allows you to check if you have registered to vote, view an online version of your ballot and see voting locations in the order of how close they are to your area of residency.
ISideWith.com – provides you with an in-depth quiz that discovers your personal viewpoints on timely issues, and like a dating site, pairs you with your Presidential match. Users can also select issues like gun control, Planned Parenthood funding, or welfare to see how they compare to other voters.
