Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

We’ve already seen one week of early voting come and go, and I strongly urge you to make the most of our convenient on-campus early and Election Day voting location at the University of Houston Student Center South. As of Friday, only 497 voters had cast their ballots at our location. Please remember that Harris County regularly assesses polling locations, and if turnout remains low, they may opt to close them down for future elections.

In the 20 years I’ve been working in politics, which started while a student here at the University of Houston, I’ve never met anyone who regretted casting their vote, but I've met many who wished they had voted.

Remember, all you need to cast your ballot is a current state-issued ID or driver’s license, or any other valid ID listed on this document.

It’s vital to emphasize that this election holds immense importance for the University of Houston. Proposition 5 is about “The constitutional amendment relating to the Texas University Fund, which provides funding to certain institutions of higher education to achieve national prominence as major research universities and drive the state economy.”

Proposition 5 will provide the necessary funds to accelerate our research capabilities, attract top research faculty, enhance the student experience and improve graduation rates. All of these factors are pivotal in realizing our University’s vision of being ranked among the top 50 public universities in the nation.

For more information on Proposition 5, click here.

Depending on the district in which you reside, you’ll be voting on various offices and ballot propositions, including but not limited to:

• State of Texas Constitutional Amendments (Propositions 1-14)
• Harris County Bond (Proposition A)
• City of Houston Ballot Issue (A&B)
• Houston Mayor
• Houston City Council Positions
• Houston City Controller
• Houston ISD Trustees

Harris County voters can access their personalized sample ballot here. For more information about voting in Harris County, visit Harris Votes. If you’d like to learn more about the propositions and candidates, visit the nonpartisan League of Women Voters of Houston Voter Guide.

For those registered to vote in other Texas counties, visit Vote Texas for details about polling locations and procedures your respective counties.

As a reminder to our students registered to vote in Texas counties outside of the Houston region, there’s still time to request and receive an absentee ballot if you won’t be in your home county during the early voting period or on Election Day.

Lastly, the UH System SAM 02.D.04 – Leave of Absence allows employees to request, for prior approval, up to two hours off at the beginning or the end of the workday to vote on Election Day without deduction in pay or leave time.

Your voice matters in shaping our future. Go Coogs and Go Vote!