Voter misinformation is something that the ACLU of Texas is working to combat every day.
A little over 42% of voters made their way to the polls in the 2016 presidential election, meaning over half eligible voters in Texas didn’t vote.b
The ACLU of Texas recently announced a campaign called Let Texans Vote in hopes to change that statistic for the 2020 presidential election.
“You know so many Texans don’t vote and that’s a problem because we all should have a say in the political process,” said Sarah Lebowitz with the ACLU of Texas.
In the past, Texans statistically don’t have the best voter turnout rate.
Sarah Lebowitz with the ACLU of Texas says they hope the Let Texans Vote campaign will arm voter with easily accessible clear information about voting rights, safety and the voting process.
Sarah Lebowitz said, “One of our goals is that people have the confidence to vote whether that’s by mail or in person and there's a lot of options this election and we know that that can be over whelming.”
“It's a good idea to be informed when you go to the polls not just on the candidates but about the procedures involved in voting. This is particularly important for voters who are disabled or for voters whose first language isn’t English,” Jeffery Dixon, Associate Professor of Political Science A&M Central Texas said.
Dixon adds thanks to the Voting Rights Act in the 1960s, its more feasible for voters who have any type of aliment to participate in the voting process.
Dixon said, “There really are a wide variety of accommodations available.”
For example, some polling locations have curb side voting if you are disabled. Dixon adds if you need to have someone accompany you at the voting booth for any reason, disabled voters have that option too.
“They are required to swear an oath that they will fill out your ballot as you direct that they will read the complete ballot to you and that they will keep your vote a secret,” said Dixon.
With the many different options voters have this year to cast their vote, Lebowitz says if you have any questions reach out to a creditable source.
“We are a trusted resource your county clerk is a trusted resource and we want people to know that they have options and they can vote safely weather that’s by mail or in person,” added Lebowitz.
Dixon also says if you do have some type of impairment and choose to have someone accompany you at the polls, they cannot be your employer, a union leader, or an agent of your employer or union.
Lebowitz says if you do believe your voting rights are being infringed upon, she encourages you to give them a call.
As part of the ACLU's campaign they have announced their voting demands.
The ACLU is calling on state and local election officials to do the following: promote and expand early voting, fully fund safe polling locations and protect poll workers and voters, eliminate the 30-day deadline to register, and protect voting by mail.
