Austin Community College District (ACC) is urging every eligible voter to get out and vote in the upcoming primary elections this March. Early voting is set to kick off next Tuesday, February 20, and will run through to March 1, giving the electorate a chance to flex their democratic muscles ahead of Election Day on March 5.
No early voting sites will be available on ACC campuses, but don't let that stop you. There are plenty of nearby options, and you can even find an interactive map of polling locations on the ACC Votes web page. If you're planning to vote on Election Day itself, ACC's Round Rock, Elgin, and Hays campuses will have polling sites open for business.
This isn't just any election year; it's a presidential one. Heavy hitters on the ballot include a U.S. Senator, all 38 U.S. Representatives from Texas, a slew of state senators and representatives, and key judicial and educational seats. And remember, the winners here are not just fighting to get their names etched on November's ballot - if no candidate clears the majority threshold, the top two will duke it out in a May 28 runoff.
The 2022 primaries saw a mere 17.7% of Texas' registered voters actually cast a ballot, according to details provided by ACC Newsroom. That's less than one in five. With over 4,000 employees and 30,000 students, ACC's community alone has the power to significantly tilt the electoral scales.
Confused about whether you can vote? The requirements are crystal clear. You must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of the county where you plan to vote. Make sure you're 18 by March 5, and if you're a felon, you need to have completed your sentence, probation, and parole. Lastly, you should not be declared mentally incapacitated by a court of law.
Whether it's standing in the shadow of the Capitol or the quiet of a suburban school turned polling place, each vote tells a story Larger than itself about the direction in which the citizenry would steer this ship we call the state. And remember folks: the power of the primary is in preparing the stage for the grand drama of the November general elections. So, check your status, confirm your eligibility, and get ready to vote. Your state, your country, and your conscience are calling you to the polls.
