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I WILL – Leader Recruitment and Commitment

Recruiting 100 leaders by
Aug 31st

Beyond our households, voting serves as a fundamental mechanism for shaping our society and determining the values, laws, rights, fees, and penalties that affect us as citizens. Being registered to vote is a pivotal step—it allows individuals to step into a voting booth and ensure their voices are heard. This act of participation is not just a right but a vital exercise of leadership.

I am dedicated to cultivating strong and effective leaders, and leadership, at its core, is about influence. 

I firmly believe that many people possess more influence than they realize or utilize. As the saying goes, “You have not because you ask not.”

So, I am reaching out to my friends, family, colleagues, and community. I urge you to take action by committing to the following:

  1. Register to vote or verify your registration
  2. Become a Volunteer Deputy Registrar
  3. Register others to vote
  4. Vote

Let’s use our collective influence to drive meaningful change.

Keyshala Petitt

Will you commit?

I’ve set a personal goal to recruit 100 people to volunteer as VDVRs. While it’s important to get certified in your home county, being certified in adjacent counties can also be advantageous.

Fortunately, in Texas, once you are certified in one county, you can show your certificate of appointment and get certified in another county without needing to redo the training. Harris County offers virtual sessions, making it convenient for many to complete the training online and then obtain certifications in adjacent counties.

Below, you will find links to the VDVR information pages for Harris County and the surrounding counties, where you can find more details and class dates for each respective county.

Harris County Tax Office (hctax.net)

Harris County offers online training certification for DVRs. Many may find it convenient to get registered in Harris County, then use that certification to obtain certification in additional counties. Click here for a link to their training schedule.

Volunteer Deputy Registrar | Fort Bend County (fortbendcountytx.gov)

Voter Registration | Galveston County, TX (galvestoncountytx.gov)

Voter Registration | Brazoria County Clerk (brazoriacountyclerktx.gov)

Waller County, Texas

Register to Vote | Chambers County, TX

Important Dates & Information

Important 2024 election dates with American flag border: Last day to register to vote, mail ballot application deadline, early voting begins and ends, and general election date.

Eligibility for Voter Registration

You are eligible to register to vote if:

  • You are a United States citizen;
  • You are a resident of the county where you submit the application;
  • You are at least 17 years and 10 months old on the date your voter registration application is submitted, and you are 18 years of age on Election Day.
  • You are not a convicted felon (you may be eligible to vote if you have completed your sentence, probation, and parole); and
  • You have not been declared by a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be either totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote.

Eligibility to Serve as a VDVR

To be eligible to serve as a Volunteer Deputy Voter Registrar, you MUST be:

  • at least 18 years of age
  • a citizen of the United States
  • a resident of Texas

In addition to the rules above, a Volunteer Deputy Voter Registrar MUST NOT have been:

  • Determined by final judgment of a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote.
  • Finally convicted of a felony or, if a felon, fully discharged of sentence, including any term of incarceration, parole, supervision, completed period of probation, or have been pardoned (Texas Election Code, §13.031(d)). A person is not considered to have been finally convicted of an offense if the person’s adjudication of guilt was deferred (H.B. 1226, 82nd Leg.).
  • Finally convicted of Fraudulent Use or Possession of Identifying Information (Texas Penal Code, § 32.51).
  • Finally convicted of a Class A misdemeanor relating to performance-based compensation for voter registration (Texas Election Code, §13.008).
Four steps to civic engagement: 1. Register to vote or verify your registration, 2. Become a volunteer deputy registrar, 3. Register others to vote, 4. Vote.
American flag in the background with sticker that reads I voted by mail.

Eligibility for Early Mail-In Voting

To be eligible to vote early by mail in Texas, you must::

  • be 65 years or older;
  • be sick or disabled;
  • be out of the county on election day and during the period for early voting by personal appearance; or
  • be expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day; or
  • be confined in jail, but otherwise eligible.

Other Ways to Update Voter Registration

You may register to vote when renewing your drivers Texas driver license or identification:

  • If you’re not already registered to vote but have an existing Texas Driver License or state identification card, you can register to vote online when renewing, replacing or changing your contact information for either of these cards through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

 

To change your name or address on your voter registration, you need:

Picture of a button and text that reads are you registered to vote?

3 Easy Ways College Students can Vote

How College Students Can Ensure They Vote in This Year’s Election: A Quick Guide.

With election season approaching, it’s essential for college students—especially those studying out of state—to know how to exercise their right to vote. Voting is a critical part of participating in our democracy, and even though students might be far from home, they can still make their voices heard. Here’s a quick guide on how college students can ensure they are registered and ready to vote in this year’s election.

1. Register in the County Where You Attend School

One option for college students is to register to vote in the county where they attend school. This is a straightforward process, but it’s important to remember that you can only be registered in one county at a time. Registering in your college’s county means you’ll be able to vote in local elections there, which can be a great way to engage with your college community. However, keep in mind that you will miss out on voting in any local elections or issues back home.

2. Vote in Person in Your Home County

If you’d prefer to vote in your home county, you can do so by planning a trip back home during the early voting period or on Election Day. In many states, including Texas, early voting runs from October 1st through October 21st, providing a window of opportunity to vote before Election Day on November 5th. Voting in person allows you to maintain your voter registration in your home county and participate in local elections that may affect your home community. This option is ideal if your college is not too far from home, and you’re able to travel back.

3. Request a Mail-In Ballot

For students who are studying far from home and cannot return to vote in person, requesting a mail-in ballot is an excellent option. In Texas, the last day to request a mail-in ballot is October 25th. Once you receive your ballot, fill it out carefully and send it back promptly to ensure it’s counted. This method is convenient and ensures that you can still participate in both national and local elections, even if you’re out of state.

Important Dates to Remember:

Early Voting: October 1st – 21st
Election Day: November 5th
Last Day to Request a Mail-in Ballot (Texas): October 25th

Click here to access the instructions for Submitting an Application for Ballot by Mail (“ABBM”) in Texas.

 

RSVP HERE