Texas Democratic Party and Texas College Democrats Urge Texas Universities to Fulfill Legal Obligation, Give Students Voter Registration Notification and Assistance

AUSTIN, Texas -- Today, the Texas Democratic Party and the Texas College Democrats have released statements urging all Texas colleges and universities to follow their legal obligations to make a good faith effort in distributing voter registration forms and making such forms widely available to students. 

“Our colleges should support students every step of the way as they cast their first ballots,” said Rose Clouston, Voter Protection Director for the Texas Democratic Party. “Nothing is more discouraging than trying to vote for the first time in your life and being told you can’t because of a technicality. Proactive messaging and outreach by our universities can ensure their students are able to register and have a great voting experience that encourages them to be lifelong voters.”

“We registered 130 voters in just one day during our Week of Action,” said Christopher Livaudais, President of Texas Aggie Democrats, “The City of College Station closing down our only on campus polling location for early voting- making the decision over the summer when the affected students weren’t in session, no less- was really disheartening, so it’s lighting a new fire under us to see so many students registering to vote.”

“We are seeing an overwhelming number of students getting registered to vote on their campuses, young people are energized and ready to vote this cycle; however, they face an unprecedented number of challenges as a result of extremist legislation,” said Bella Armenta, President of the Texas College Democrats, “College campuses should be empowering students to vote -- that's why we're calling on every college and university in Texas to send a dedicated message to their students this week to provide them with the information they need to exercise their right to vote.”

In addition, the Texas Democratic Party and the Texas College Democrats have also disseminated a letter template to Texas College Democrat chapters across the state for chapters to send to their respective university administrations. The letter template includes a draft email students can ask their universities to send to all students to provide comprehensive information about preparing to vote in this fall’s election, including both voter registration and vote-by-mail options. Students and alumni for any Texas universities are encouraged to use the template to send to their respective school administrations. 

Texans who will be 18 by November 8 can begin their voter registration or update their registration at MyTexasVotes.com. Registration updates must be completed online or paper forms postmarked on or before October 11, 2022. 

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