In 2018, Texas made great strides in increasing voter turnout, increasing voter participation by 18 percentage points since the previous midterm election in 2014. However, even with that increase, Texas still ranked in the bottom half of states in terms of voter turnout by state. In fact, fewer than 50% of Texans exercised their right to vote.
As Texas Young Lawyers Association board members, we are excited to share one of our newest projects to help boost voter turnout! In advance of the November 2020 election, TYLA has created the resource Vote America: Court the Vote to encourage voter registration and to educate the public on the right to vote.
As part of Vote America: Court the Vote, TYLA board members shared voter information push cards with governmental and nonpartisan voting rights organizations throughout Texas. Currently, the League of Women Voters of Texas is providing electronic copies of the cards to its volunteers. Additionally, Houston Justice and the Texas Jail Project are providing physical copies to eligible voters in custody throughout Texas.