Welcome to adulthood! You’re 18, which means you can vote in all local, state, and national elections. But, you can’t just show up to your nearest polling place. There are a few things you must remember first. 

Why you should vote!

First, let’s start with the “why?” It is important to remember that voting is not just a right, it is our civic duty. Our vote is our voice, and, yes, your vote absolutely matters. Recent elections show just how much one vote can impact the outcome. 

Who gets to vote?

Most citizens of the United States who are 18 years or older are qualified to vote in all local, state, and national elections. There are some notable exceptions – for example, being found guilty of a felony – so it is recommended to check with your state. 

How do I register to vote? 

No one is allowed to vote if you have not properly registered to do so first. Different states have different requirements, but let’s talk about how we do things in Texas:

• In Texas, you must be registered to vote 30 days before you vote. So, for example, if you want to vote in an election on November 10, you must register to vote by October 10. 
• You only need to register once! Once you’ve done it, you are good to go for all other elections unless you move or change your name. Registration is the same regardless of whether it is a local, state, or national election. 
• You need to be 18 years old when the election takes place, but you can register to vote when you are at least 17 years and 10 months old. That way, you can make sure to register before the 30-day deadline.
• There are two primary ways to register to vote in Texas: You can go to VoteTexas.gov and print out the SOS Voter Registration Form. Fill out the form and turn it into your county’s election office at least 30 days before the next election. Or, you can register to vote when you update your driver’s license.
• You must keep your registration current, so be sure to update it by 30 days before the next election if you moved or changed your name. You can update it at VoteTexas.gov.

What do I vote for? 

Once registered, you are allowed to vote in all local, state, and national elections. Every election is important, and it is crucial to vote every chance you get. The most commonly known elections are for the presidency of the United States that occur every four years, but there are elections in between that will determine who the elected officials in your state, city or county may be. There may also be elections that decide if new city ordinances will pass, or how the county or state will spend money. You can look up the ballot of each election from your county’s election department. 

And don’t forget the incredibly important judicial elections! Judges and justices in Texas are elected and you can help determine who decides the next major criminal or civil case. Different judges may have different perspectives on punishment, large businesses v. small businesses, and other issues that may be important to you. 

This is also your first chance to start learning about positions that you might be interested in pursuing. Every elected official was eighteen years old at some point (or will be)! Imagine voting for yourself to create positive change for our community in five, ten, fifteen years from now!

When do I vote? 

Elections are happening all the time. Some elections have a clear set schedule – for example, the one for President of the United States happens every four years on the first Tuesday of November. Others are scheduled by your local and state governments. You can find a more thorough election schedule through the Texas Secretary of State Office. 

In Texas, you can vote on the actual Election Day or you can be sure to cast your ballot during the Early Voting period. Early Voting was created to give everyone more time and to make voting more accessible. Take advantage of this!

Where do I vote?

Your voter registration is based on your residence – that is why it is so important to update that registration. In Texas, you must vote in your county of residence at all times. So, be sure you are registered in the correct county. 

You are also required to vote in your designated polling location, which is determined by your address. During Early Voting in Texas, you can vote at any polling location within your county of residence. On Election Day, you must vote at your designated polling location. You may find your polling location at VoteTexas.gov.

A History of the Right to Vote in the United States

To add even more reasons for you to get out and vote, it is always a good idea to remind ourselves of the work that was done to give us the right to vote. After all, our country was inspired by the fight to have representatives to speak on our behalf. No taxation without representation!

The 15th Amendment is Ratified in 1870!

Five years after the formal end of the Civil War, during the Reconstruction period, the 15th Amendment was ratified. The 15th Amendment states that “[t]he right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” While the language was clear in prohibiting the use of race as a reason for denying the right to vote, the reality was far more murky. In many states, including Texas, individuals opposed to expanding the right to vote to non-white voters used other methods to limit access to polls, especially for Black voters.  

One of the most common tools for suppressing the vote was the use of literacy tests. Literacy tests required individuals seeking to vote to demonstrate that they could read. This was directly following a period of enslavement when many states made it illegal to teach slaves how to read. As a result of those barbaric policies, Black Americans were far more likely to be illiterate than White Americans.

The 19th Amendment is Ratified in 1920!

It is hard to believe that for a majority of our country’s history, there was no guaranteed right to vote for women. It was only the 19th Amendment’s ratification in 1920 that guaranteed the right to vote for women in the United States. As the Amendment reads, “[t]he right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” Since that moment in our country’s history, women have transformed from casting ballots to being listed on ballots as leading candidates.

Interesting Fact: In 1924, four years after the passage of the 19th Amendment, Texas elected the state’s first female governor ever. Her name was Miriam Ferguson, but she went by Ma Ferguson. While you may believe that this was driven by the new turnout of women voters, that was not the case. Ma’s husband, Pa Ferguson, was the previous governor of Texas and he was famously opposed to women’s suffrage. When Pa Ferguson was impeached and convicted, he could not run for office, and Ma Ferguson ran instead while giving the real power to her husband. Despite Texas suffragists (those supporting women’s right to vote) supporting her male opponent and most of her opponent’s votes coming from women, Ma won the vote and became the first female governor.

If you’re interested in learning more, please visit the resources below:

• Texas Young Lawyers Association, Vote America (https://tyla.org/resource/vote-america/)
• Texas Young Lawyers Association, Voter Information Card (https://tyla.org/resource/tyla-voter-information-card/)
• Texas Secretary of State, Texas Elections (https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/)
• VoteTexas.gov (https://www.votetexas.gov/)