The turnout for the May 7th elections was low. In addition to two state constitutional amendments, we had school board races in in Dripping Springs ISD, San Marcos CISD and Hays CISD. Plus, the City of Hays also had municipal elections. And a small sliver of Austin that is in Hays County also had a cannabis and no-knock warrant referendum.
Here are a few reasons someone may not vote.
* Doesn’t believe their vote makes a difference.
* Didn’t know there was an election.
* Didn’t know anything about the candidates or
issues.
* Not registered to vote
* Didn’t know my polling location.
* Didn’t know the polling location changed.
* Did not have a voter registration card.
* Didn’t have the proper voter id.
* Could not locate a sample ballot.
* Had to work.
* Lack of transportation.
* Lack of childcare.
* Didn’t receive a mail-in ballot.
* Mail-in ballot rejected.
* Didn’t realize voter registration had expired.
So how do we go about helping address these items?
Voter education matters. For example, if you are over 70 years of age or over, a photo identification may be expired for any length of time. But if you don’t know that, you might think you can’t vote. Also, if you don’t know how to verify if your voter registration is still active, you may not be able to correct issues in time to vote. Or if you didn’t know that you do not need to have a voter registration card with you when voting, you may not vote either.
In addition, easy accessibility of voting information is needed. Voters need to easily find polling locations, dates, and times. They need to easily determine if they qualify for vote by mail or for curbside voting.
Over the next few months, I will continue to provide voter education to increase the number of people who vote. I also want to arm you with information so you can help your family and friends participate in our democracy. Will you help me? Letting a small percentage of people making decisions is not democracy. Let’s work together to bring more engagement to elections.
When I was on the Kyle City Council, I worked to get more polling location accessibility in east Kyle. Many of you remember the opposition I faced. Not everyone wants to make voting accessible and easy. Help me spread the word! Let’s encourage everyone to vote!
Your friend,
Daphne Tenorio
Candidate for Hays County Treasurer
November 2022
