The value of voting cannot be overstated, especially when it comes to education. Every year, the fate of our educational system is placed in the hands of representatives who may or may not have the best insight into how our children can be better served and how our teachers could be better supported.
The world of politics and education are intimately intertwined and it is essential that every registered voter fulfill their civic duty by casting a ballot when the moment calls. Certainly, parents and community leaders should be willing to meet this challenge. Even students who are coming of age and facing their first opportunity to vote should be encouraged to participate in our elections.
But perhaps more than any other demographic, the value of voting is especially true for educators who have much to gain (and lose) with every local, state, and federal race. The work they perform every day paves the future of our great nation and its people. Teachers deserve to have their schools adequately funded to ensure that they are able to provide the best learning experiences for their students.
With a bit of education and grassroots determination, educators can turn the tide when it comes to good educational legislation passed. Ideally, that passion for politics will trickle down to the younger generations and our nation can fully flourish as a true democracy.

Voter Registration & Turnout in the Rio Grande Valley

As one of the fastest growing regions in the United States and the 5th largest MSA in Texas, the political impact the Rio Grande Valley could have on all future elections is substantial. With a growing population of educated professionals, a strong migration net growth, and a regional median age that is about ten years younger than the rest of the U.S., there are plenty of opportunities for positive changes to occur – and it can begin with teachers.  
Naturally, of course, these prospects come with their own set of unique challenges. But understanding key data points can help community leaders, organizers, and political candidates with developing the right targeting strategies to draw in an abundance of new voters.
Below are vital statistics that can be effectively utilized to increase voter turnout. These figures focus on school districts in the Rio Grande Valley, registered voters within those districts, and voter turnout within this group of potential voters for the March 2018 Texas primary election.  
The Top 5 School Districts For Voter Registration

 
Bottom 5 School Districts for Voter Registration

 
Top 5 School Districts for 2018 March Election Turnout

 
Bottom 5 School Districts for 2018 March Election Turnout

 
Key Data Points & Insights:

• 4 out of the 5 top ranked schools for voter registration were in Hidalgo County.
• 3 out of the 5 bottom ranked schools for voter registration were in Hidalgo County.
• 5 out of the top 5 ranked schools for March 2018 voter turnout were in Hidalgo County.
• 5 out of the bottom 5 ranked schools for March 2018 voter turnout were in Cameron County.
• Edinburg CISD, with 3,831 registered personnel, was the largest school district with a 2018 voter turnout at over 40%.
• Harlingen CISD, with 2,239 registered personnel, was the largest school district with the lowest voter turnout at just 10%.
• Highest voter turnout was held by Edcouch-Elsa ISD with a 54.6% turnout for 637 registered voters.  
• As can be noted by the data above, voter turnout can certainly improve across all school districts in the RGV, especially amongst the larger ones.