Voting season. It's here, y'all. Whether you're voting early or heading to the polls on Tuesday, November 5th, we've created this helpful guide to make your trip a success!
Added bonus: you can make a difference with your vote for both Texas State Parks as well as parks, trails and green spaces in the city of Austin!
Where to Vote in Austin & Travis County
Not sure where to place your ballet on Election Day? Here's a map of official polling locations in Travis County on Tuesday, November 5th:
Planning to vote early? Check out this map of early voting locations!
What You Should Bring to the Polls
Be sure to check your voter registration before you head to the polls. Registered to vote? Here's what you need to bring with you to the polling location:
Bring a valid Photo ID:
- Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate (EIC) issued by DPS
- Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
- Texas License to Carry a Handgun (LTC) issued by DPS
- U.S. Military ID Card containing the person’s photograph
- U.S. Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
- U.S. Passport
Don't have any of the above? You can still vote by (1) signing a declaration at the polls explaining why you're unable to obtain one of the seven forms of approved photo ID and (2) one of the supporting documents below.
Supporting Documents:
- Valid Voter Registration Certificate
- Certified Birth Certificate (must be an original)
- Copy of or original current utility bill
- Copy of or original bank statement
- Copy of or original government check
- Copy of or original paycheck
- Copy of or original government document with your name and an address (original required if it contains a photograph)
New Voting System: How It Works
Vote with Austin & Texas Parks In Mind
Proposition A - City of Austin
In Short: City Prop A will require a City Council supermajority (9 of 11 members) and voter approval for the use of city land for sports and entertainment facilities.
More Info:
This proposition was created to require approval by both voters and Austin City Council for the building of sports and entertainment facilities on city-owned land.
The problem is that this legislation, in its current form, would enforce the same requirements for the renewal of leases like YMCA facilities, the ZACH Theatre, the Long Center, children's sports programs and many more.
As it stands, this proposition would create a bureaucratic nightmare for the City Council and voters alike. The two political action committees (PACs) that proposed this legislature no longer exist or support it. This legislation will not effectively accomplish its goal, and will negatively impact Austin's iconic parkland events like the Kite Festival and Trail of Lights.
Austin Parks Foundation does not support Prop A. Vote NO!
Proposition 5 - State of Texas
In Short: Prop. 5 helps maintain a consistent stream of funding for parks, wildlife and historical agencies in the state of Texas.
More Info:
Since 1993, Texas has had the ability to use all of the sporting goods sales tax revenues for maintenance and improvements for parks and historical sites. However, the current law allows the Texas Legislature to use the sales tax on sporting goods on whatever they deem necessary (their general fund).
If Prop. 5 is passed, a two-thirds majority would be needed to re-allocate these tax dollars. Prop. 5 ensures that it will be much more difficult to take much-needed funding away from our state parks and historical sites.
A major challenge facing our state parks is the growing cost of deferred maintenance. Our parks are in dire need of funding as they continue to age, and as visitor numbers continue to increase. Plus more funding is needed to mitigate the impact of natural events such as flooding, fire and recent hurricanes.
Help our state parks get the funding they need and deserve. Vote YES on Prop. 5!
