Texas Rising activists have been doing wonderful work on LGBTQ equality, repro rights and public education this legislative session. Now we have an opportunity to advocate for the voting rights of young Texans.
House Bill 209 by state Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, is up before the House Public Education Committee this Tuesday. HB 209 would would make it easier for high schools to make voter registration forms available to students by requiring the secretary of state to equip the schools with the necessary forms.
Sadly, Texas ranks as one of the least civically engaged states in the nation. We all should do everything in our power to encourage young people to become active participants in the political process and in deciding the future of their state.
There won’t be many opportunities for positive change on voting rights for young people this legislative session, so we gotta make this one count. Let’s make some phone calls! Tell members of the committee to vote “Yes” on HB 209
Call members of the committee
If you’re on a mobile device, tap a phone number to dial.
Rep. Dan Huberty (Committee Chair) – 512-463-0520
Rep. Diego Bernal (Vice Chair) – 512-463-0532
Rep. Alma Allen – 512-463-0744
Rep. Dwayne Bohac – 512-463-0727
Rep. Joe Deshotel – 512-463-0662
Rep. Harold Dutton Jr. – 512-463-0510
Rep. Lance Gooden – 512-463-0458
Rep. Ken King – 512-463-0736
Rep. Linda Koop – 512-463-0454
Rep. Morgan Meyer – 512-463-0367
Rep. Gary VanDeaver – 512-463-0692
Tell committee members:
- HB 209 would remove an existing provision that requires high schools to request voter registration forms from the secretary of state and instead require the secretary of state to automatically send the forms.
- High schools serve as a perfect venue to reach the majority of young Texans. Making voter registration available to all high school seniors is the first step in encouraging life-long civic participation.
- Please vote for HB 209 when its heard in committee this Tuesday.
