Your Voice, Your Vote: Resources for Voters
The purpose of The Compass Rose is to raise awareness of Special Collections' resources and to foster the use of these resources. The blog series also reports significant new programs, initiatives, and acquisitions of Special Collections.
This blog shares information on voting and the historical background of the League of Women Voters of Arlington, which provides resources, important dates, and need-to-know facts to help voters make informed decisions.
A League of Our Own: League of Women Voters of Arlington
The League of Women Voters is a national nonpartisan political organization that sponsors public forums for electoral candidates, hosts voter registration drives, and distributes voter guides. Members discuss issues that affect citizens—from the policies of local school districts to city planning. They provide information about every level of government, from local to federal, to all United States voters for free.
The League of Women Voters of Arlington was originally formed in 1953 and recognized as a provisional league in 1955. However, membership declined, and Arlington chapter was dissolved in 1957. On May 16, 1981, the chapter was reestablished after gaining enough membership to branch away from the League of Women Voters of Tarrant County, Texas. The Arlington chapter was involved in advocating for public transportation for the city, studying problems with Arlington’s economy and education, and helping residents engage with politicians. The League of Women Voters of Arlington has since merged into the League of Women Voters of Tarrant County, Texas.
Pencil It In: Important Deadlines for the 2024 Election
Image of a calendar square that reads "October 7, 2024 Register to Vote!"
The voter registration deadline was Oct. 7. If you have not registered, you cannot vote in this election. Make sure to register as soon as possible so you can vote in the next one!
The early voting period is October 21-November 1. (Typically, early voters see shorter wait times!)
Image of a calendar square that reads "October 21, 2024-November 1, 2024 Early Voting!"
Image of a calendar square that reads "October 25, 2024 Apply for Mail-In Ballots"
The deadline to submit an application for a mail-in (or “absentee”) ballot is October 25.
November 5 is Election Day (General Election)! Be prepared for long lines!
Image of a calendar square that reads "November 5, 2024 Election Day!! (General Election)"
Who's in Charge at the Polls?
County election workers are trained to sign people in, set up voting machines, answer questions, and otherwise make the voting process smooth and accessible.
Election Judges take voting equipment to polling locations, find election workers to assist voters, and make sure the election is fair.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Mail-In Voting
According to The League of Women Voters of Texas, you can vote by mail if you are:
- “Absent from your county of residence on Election Day and during the early voting period,
- Sick or have a disability that prevents you from voting in person without assistance,
- 65 years old or older,
- Confined to jail serving a misdemeanor sentence; or confined to jail without bail pending trial for a felony or appeal of a felony conviction,
- Expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day, or
- Civilly committed under Chapter 841 of the Texas Health and Safety Code.”
How do you apply for a mail-in (or “absentee”) ballot?
You MUST apply for a mail-in ballot by October 25, 2024 (eleven days before Election Day). Voters registered in Tarrant County should complete an application and mail it to:
Early Voting Clerk
Tarrant County Elections Administration
PO Box 961011
Fort Worth, Texas 76161-0011
You can apply for a mail-in ballot by email or fax, but you must also send the application by mail.
Your Early Voting Clerk must have your ballot in their hands by 7:00 pm on Election Day (November 5)!
How It’s Done: The Voting Process
Infographic of the election process.
Step 1: Register. The deadline to register passed on October 7.
Step 2: Vote! Use the ballot to voice your opinions!
Step 3: Electoral College. Each region's electoral college representative casts a vote.
Step 4: Votes get counted. Congress counts the electoral college votes for each state.
Step 5: A president is elected!
Knowledge Is [Voting] Power
Everywhere we turn, there is someone telling us how we should vote. There is so much misinformation and bias, it can be hard to know which decision is the right one. Enter The League of Women Voters!
The League creates an in-depth Voters Guide for each election—from local school boards to the White House. In the guide, you can read about candidates, policies, and issues that you will see on the ballot. The best part: Since the League is “non-partisan,” the Voters Guide is written to inform, not to promote one political view over another.
League of Women Voters--Arlington Area records (AR493) (Scrapbook). Three League of Women Voters of Tarrant County volunteers prepare voters guides for distribution.
To learn more about the League of Women Voters of Arlington Records, visit The UTA Libraries Special Collections on the 6th floor of the Central Library!
Resources
AR493 League of Women Voters--Arlington Area Records. University of Texas at Arlington Special Collections.
AR406-6 Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection. University of Texas at Arlington Special Collections.
"Be a County Election Worker.” The League of Women Voters of Texas. Accessed October 2, 2024. https://lwvtx.clubexpress.com/county-election-workers#gsc.tab=0.
“Election Information You Need.” The League of Women Voters of Texas. Accessed October 2, 2024. https://www.vote411.org/lwvtx.
“League of Women Voters of Texas.” The League of Women Voters of Texas. Accessed October 2, 2024. https://www.lwvtexas.org/#gsc.tab=0.
“Texas Voter Registration.” Texas Voter Registration. Accessed October 2, 2024. https://www.texas.gov/living-in-texas/texas-voter-registration/.
“Your Voters Guide.” The League of Women Voters of Texas. Accessed October 2, 2024. https://www.vote411.org/ballot.
“Voting by Mail.” Tarrant County, Texas. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.tarrantcountytx.gov/en/elections/voting-by-mail.html.
