Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson listens to a question after her keynote address Tuesday in the Student Union PlainsCapital Bank Theater on the Edinburg campus. Nelson visited the Edinburg campus to educate students on voter registration and the importance of their voice. Natalie Lapsley/THE RIDER
With Election Day for the primaries taking place Tuesday, Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson visited the Edinburg campus to educate students on voter registration and the importance of their voices.
Nelson, a businesswoman and former teacher who served two terms on the State Board of Education and 30 years in the state Senate, said her goal is to “make sure that every … qualified Texan who wants to vote has all the information they need to cast a ballot.”
During her keynote address, Nelson said there are many important reasons to vote, whether it is for city, county, state or national elections.
“My father fought in World War II, and even when I was a little kid, he used to take me with him to the polls and he would talk about how precious that right to vote is,” she said. “There are a lot of people that fought for this country just so they could have that right and there are a lot of people and a lot of countries that don’t have that right. If you want to have a voice, go vote every election.”
Jennifer Vela, a business management junior, commented during the question-and-answer portion of the event that although there are other factors in play during elections, voting is important.
“We should vote,” Vela said. “… What we think does matter. It affects everything and we should really do it because we do have a higher chance of maybe the person we like the most will win, but it’s not the only thing that determines it.”
The junior cited President Joe Biden’s win via electoral votes in 2020 as an example of another factor that plays a role in election outcomes.
“I believe our system is faulty, but it’s getting better over time,” Vela said. “Voter turnout has been increasing. I think they could focus more, especially, on the students, making it more accessible and I really wish we could do something for the people [who] really want to vote but they can’t.”
She said she is registered to vote and plans to cast her ballot in the Primary Election Tuesday.
Nelson said students need to plan how they will vote in the Primary Election and the General Election in November.
Although the deadline to register to vote in the primaries has already passed, the state secretary said there is still time to register before other elections later this year.
To register to vote, visit vrapp.sos.state.tx.us.
When casting a ballot, voters must present one of seven forms of photo ID. These must be physical copies as photos of the materials will not be accepted.
Accepted materials are Texas driver’s licenses, Texas personal ID cards, passports, Texas handgun licenses, military ID cards, citizenship certificates or state election ID certificates.
“A student ID is not an approved proof of your ID, so please don’t try to use your student ID,” Nelson said. “[Registered] voters who do not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of those seven forms that are approved may fill out what is called a reasonable impediment declaration there at the polls.”
After filling out the declaration form, voters must present an alternative form of identification, such as a utility bill, bank statement, government check or voter registration certificate, to cast a ballot.
Some students’ registration may not be based where they attend classes.
“If you are registered outside of Texas, you should check in on what your home state requires,” Nelson said. “If you’re registered to vote in Texas, but not in the same county where you attend school, you may need to vote by mail.”
In Texas, voters who are over 65 years old or have a disability automatically qualify to cast a ballot by mail. However, others may qualify if they are out of their county of registration on Election Day. This includes students who are registered in Hidalgo County and are on the Brownsville campus in Cameron County, and vice versa, on Election Day.
To vote by mail, individuals will need a Texas driver’s license, personal ID card number, election ID certificate number or the last four digits of their social security number.
“If you’ve not been issued any of those four things, you must indicate that by checking the appropriate box on the ballot-by-mail application or the carrier envelope,” Nelson said.
The state secretary asked the audience to remember at least one thing: votetexas.gov, a website where individuals can learn about polling sites, the ballot, election results and registration.
“Be sure you’re registered to vote, and then every time you have an opportunity to vote, take advantage of that,” Nelson said, adding the leaders elected will affect students’ futures for decades to come. “I would also encourage you to vote to run for office.”
