It’s time to cast your ballots! Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7, and early voting runs through Friday, Nov. 3.

At United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, we’re encouraging every eligible North Texan to turn out for our community and vote. Casting your ballot during every election is one of the easiest, most effective ways to have a meaningful impact on life in our community.

Why vote this year?

Voting is one of the simplest, yet most powerful, duties we as citizens hold. It’s important for every citizen to be an informed voter. While many people only vote during presidential election cycles, every election directly impacts various factors of your life.

Want to have a say in how property taxes are spent? Eager to help decide who is on the local school board? Be sure to cast your ballot—every election.

Your vote has the power to improve the quality of life in North Texas and drive positive changes that affect the education, income and health of our community.

Importantly, this year voters will decide the fate of 14 proposed amendments to the state constitution. Several of these propositions have the power to impact the lives of our neighbors right here in North Texas, and we’re calling on all voters to support two propositions that would expand broadband infrastructure and childcare availability in our region. Read on for more details.

What’s on the ballot?

During this year’s election, voters will decide on numerous local races, including school boards, municipal governments and local ballot measures. Many local jurisdictions may also have a bond election.

There are several proposed amendments to the state’s constitution have the power to directly affect our focus areas of education, income and health—the building blocks of opportunity—making it even more important for all voters to exercise their constitutional duty this election. At United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, we’re closely tracking two propositions:

• Proposition 2 provides a pathway to offer licensed childcare providers some relief from increasing taxes. It can reduce property taxes regardless of whether providers own or rent the property in which their business operates. This aligns with our goal to improve and expand childcare access in North Texas by ensuring more providers can offer their services to local families.
• Proposition 8 expands broadband infrastructure in rural and urban areas of the state that are unserved or underserved by internet providers. Expanding the use digital technology is one of our priorities, because it enables North Texans to more readily access education, financial security and health resources.

There are an additional 12 proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot this year that could also impact infrastructure, recreation and higher education in our state. Click here to learn more about them.

And, to see all the races and issues on your ballot, visit Vote411.org and type in your home address.

Know Before You Go

Verify your registration: If you’re unsure whether you’re registered to vote, you can check on the Texas Secretary of State website. (Not registered? Unfortunately, you missed the Oct. 10 deadline. But you can visit VoteTexas.gov to register now for the spring elections.)

Bring a photo ID: You must present one of the seven acceptable forms of photo identification before you can vote:

• Texas driver’s license
• Texas election ID certificate
• Texas personal ID card
• Texas handgun license
• U.S. citizenship certificate with photo
• U.S. military ID card with photo
• U.S. passport (book or card)

Your voter registration card is not mandatory to vote, but it’s a good idea to bring it if you have it. If your name is spelled differently on the official voter list than on your ID, showing your registration card may resolve the issue.

Voting locations: Polling locations may be different for early voting and Election Day, so visit your county’s election website—Dallas, Collin, Rockwall or Denton—to make sure you’re headed to the right location.

Be an educated voter: Save yourself time at the polls by being prepared. Do your research on candidates and propositions, and determine how you want to vote before getting to the voting machine. You can bring notes or a sample ballot with you to vote, but you’re not allowed to have partisan flyers with you in the voting booth. Create your own personalized ballot by visiting Vote411.org.

Encourage your network: Make a plan to vote and invite your neighbors and friends to go vote with you.

Vote by mail: To be eligible to vote early by mail in Texas, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Be 65 years old or older
• Be disabled
• Be out of the county on Election Day and during the period for early voting by personal appearance
• Be confined in jail, but otherwise eligible

You can request the application for a mail-in ballot from the Texas Secretary of State’s office. The deadline to submit a vote-by-mail application is Friday, Oct. 27. To learn how to request a vote-by-mail application and to submit your application, visit your county’s Elections Office website: Dallas, Collin, Rockwall or Denton.

Know Your Rights as a Texas Voter

As a voter, it’s helpful to understand your rights so that you feel comfortable and confident in voting this year. Check out our Texas Voter Bill of Rights before you cast your ballot.