L to R: Katie Brown, VP Organization, Councilwoman Kaur, Madhu Sridhar, President, Glenda Wolin, VP Voter Services and Councilman Courage at Youth Fest
The Youth Initiative team this year is gaining momentum in promoting civic engagement among the youth in our community. We took first group of students to visit the Elections Department. It was well attended. Many more visits are in the works. We have a new tam lead by Tina Reck working on the Youth Contest. A record number of entries were received. Three important brochures were written with students in mind: Vote411, How to Participate in Elections, How to Register and Vote in Bexar County if You are a Student. Please read details below.
Students tour Bexar County Elections Department
The League of Women Voters of the San Antonio Area gathered close to 45 students Saturday, October 7, at the Bexar County Elections Department to learn what happens behind the scenes after ballots are cast – how are ballots tabulated, if there is a paper trail, how are they kept secured and much more.
The students were welcomed by Madhu Sridhar, president of the San Antonio League. She talked about the roots of the organization, what it means to be nonpartisan and the League as a valued nonpartisan election resource. They learned about voting and how to get unbiased information about candidates and issues.
Judge Stephanie R. Boyd, 187th Criminal District Court, was the guest speaker. She shared her experience to emphasize the importance of voting.
Bexar County Elections Administrator Jacque Callanen addressed the group, explaining the process and pointing out that although more than a million Bexar County residents are registered to vote, only 6-7% of them cast ballots in some elections. She encouraged them to increase that number by getting in the habit of voting in every election. She stressed to the students too young to vote the importance of registering as soon as they turn 17 years and 10 months old.
Staff members took the students on a tour of the Elections department, pointing out voting machines waiting to be programmed, the kits given to election judges with the materials for each voting center, and the security surrounding the whole process. They emphasized that nothing involved with programming machines or counting votes is connected to the internet, and that only a few, authorized people are allowed in certain areas. Staff members shared how when mail ballots are being tabulated, observers from both parties can view the activity from outside the locked room, and the process is recorded by overhead cameras. They showed the locked metal carts containing the voting machines, tabulating machine, laptop and other materials that are distributed to and picked up from the voting sites by a specialty delivery company before each election. Only the presiding judge of each site can open the cart.
After the tour, students were able to practice voting on the same machines that are in voting sites, but are programmed with pretend elections in which they could vote for their favorite dog breeds and beaches.
League board member Greta Hawkins-Mathis explained each of the 15 basic rights listed on the Texas Voters Bill of Rights created by the League. After her presentation she quizzed the students and gave prizes.
Each attendee was given a packet containing the Texas Voters Bill of Rights, brochures called Ways to Participate in the Election Process and Vote 411- Your Trusted Nonpartisan Election Resource, an election bookmark and a Youth Contest flyer.
LWVSA Youth Initiative: 2023 Youth Contest brings record submissions
Submissions for the 2023 Youth Contest, titled “My Hope. My Vote My Future,” ended October 31. It was open to all Bexar County high school and college students. Contestants were allowed to submit essay, poetry, rap or art. Over 80 entries were submitted.
A team of educational consultants led by Tina Reck worked on the contest topic, contest rules judging criteria and reviewing process. The winners will be announced in December and winning submissions will be shared.
LWVSA Youth Initiative: LWVSA disseminates information at Youth Fest
Youth Fest was held on Saturday, September 30th at the UTSA downtown campus. In addition to LWVSA, the organizers included Youth Do Vote, UTSA and the SA Youth Commission. It was held at the UTSA downtown campus.
Many organizations joined to register students. About 50 to 60 students, mostly from high schools, attended the event. City Council members from Districts 1, 4 and 9 were present, and a representative from Commissioner Tommy Calvert’s office read a proclamation for Youth Do Vote.
LEAGUE PARTICIPATION INCLUDED:
- Voting Machine demonstration
- Distributing educational materials and brochures: Vote411, How to Participate in Elections, How to Register and Vote in Bexar County if You are a Student, Voters Bill of Rights etc.
- Signing up folks for the Youth Initiative, Youth Contest and Visit to the Bexar County Elections Department
- Making connections with organizations interested in working with the Youth Initiative
- Slide deck presentation including Voters Guide, Voters Bill of Rights, brochures etc.
- What is on the Ballot presentation
L to R : Councilwoman Rocha Garcia, Madhu Sridhar, President, Councilman Courage, Glenda Wolin, VP Voter Services and Katie Brown, VP Organization at Youth Fest