Early voting ends tomorrow; Election Day is Tuesday; Vote Education First!

The election season is nearing an end, but there still is plenty of time to cast your vote, and the old cliché is true. Every vote does count, and your vote may be more meaningful than ever this year, when our country is suffering from a leadership crisis in the middle of a pandemic and the future of public education is on the line.

If you already have voted, thank you. If you have not, please Vote Education First for Joe Biden for president, MJ Hegar for U.S. senator and congressional, legislative and State Board of Education candidates who truly will advocate for public schools. Here is TSTA’s list of endorsed candidates.

MJ Hegar’s opponent, John Cornyn, has supported President Trump’s plan to force schools to reopen prematurely during the pandemic, risking the health and safety of millions of children, educators and their families. Instead of demanding that the Senate approve more COVID emergency aid for schools and struggling families, Cornyn voted for a Supreme Court nominee who may put health care for millions of Americans at risk, and then he went home to campaign. Hegar will put the needs of children, educators and families first.

If you have a disability that makes it difficult for you to vote, you can ask for curbside assistance. If you live in Harris County, any registered voter can vote from their car at any of 10 drive-thru locations through the early voting period and on Election Day. Learn more about that option and find drive-thru voting locations here.

Be sure to take a mask, your photo ID and family members and friends who haven’t voted yet with you. Leave yourself some time and don’t be discouraged if the lines are long. This is an election you do not want to miss!

But remember, voter intimidation is against the law. If something doesn’t feel right at your polling place, don’t hesitate to speak up and seek help. Call the nonpartisan Election Protection help line at 866-OUR-VOTE.

Watch MJ Hegar’s message to TSTA members

Here are more election resources

Also, please consider joining or increasing your contribution to TSTA-PAC. In the Austin political world, you are either at the table or on the menu, but in TSTA-PAC there is strength in numbers.