October 22nd marks the first day of early voting in Texas and also happens to be Educator Voting Day!
As an educator, you have the power – and responsibility – of ensuring that the right candidate is chosen to represent your best interests. The individuals who serve our communities, whether at a state, federal, or municipal level, greatly affect your ability to adequately perform your duties, as well as your quality of life.
Educators are much more than simply teachers and administrators. They inspire and protect. They are mentors and confidants. Citizens and parents. You deserve to have your voice heard and your needs met.
As we move into the voting season, it’s important to remember the value of your ballot and why you need to vote. As educators, your vote determines:
- Who is elected.
- How much funding your school and all other schools receive.
- How much funding goes into your pay, healthcare, and retirement benefits.
- How much standardized testing affects your campus and curriculum.
- How students are graded and what requirements they must meet.
It’s also important to bear in mind that you are also voting for the wellbeing and future of over 5 million students in Texas public schools. Be the leader that your students and coworkers are counting on.
As per @TxEdVote, only 17% of registered Texans voted in the March 18 primary #YourVoteCounts #CountingOnYou – click to tweet
Voting in El Paso
El Paso is the largest of the U.S.-Mexican border cities and the 6th largest metropolitan area in Texas. With a county population of 840,000 and a metropolitan population over 1,000,000, El Paso is a pivotal city in West Texas that can have a major effect on this year’s state and federal elections.
Below are vital statistics that can be effectively utilized to increase voter turnout. These figures focus on school districts in the El Paso metropolitan area, registered voters within those districts, and voter turnout.
Top 3 El Paso Metro School Districts For Voter Registration
| DISTRICT NAME | RANK | Registered |
| El Paso ISD | 1 | 6,498 |
| Ysleta ISD | 2 | 5,502 |
| Socorro ISD | 3 | 4,842 |
Bottom 3 School Districts for Voter Registration
| DISTRICT NAME | RANK | Registered |
| Fabens ISD | 7 | 319 |
| Tornillo ISD | 8 | 154 |
| Anthony ISD | 9 | 99 |
Top 3 School Districts for Primary Voter Turnout
| DISTRICT NAME | RANK | % Turnout-Primary 2018 |
| El Paso ISD | 1 | 28.4% |
| Ysleta ISD | 2 | 22.9% |
| Anthony ISD | 3 | 21.2% |
Bottom 3 School Districts for Primary Voter Turnout
| DISTRICT NAME | RANK | % Turnout-Primary 2018 |
| Tornillo ISD | 7 | 17.5% |
| Clint ISD | 8 | 17.3% |
| San Elizario ISD | 9 | 17.1% |
Key Data Points & Insights:
- 9 school districts within the El Paso metropolitan area accounted for 19,677 registered voters.
- The average voter turnout across these 9 school districts stood at 20.7%.
- The median average voter turnout across these 9 school districts stood at 20.7%.
- El Paso ISD, with 6,498 registered personnel, was the largest school district with the highest voter turnout at 28.4%.
- Socorro ISD, with 4,842 registered personnel, was the largest school district with the lowest voter turnout at 19.8%.
- 2 of the top 3 school districts with the highest voter turnout had more than 5,500 personnel.
- 2 of the bottom 3 school districts with the lowest voter turnout had less than 460 registered voters.
Your coworkers are counting you to vote. Don’t let them down!