SOUTH ASIANS AND PROJECT 2025

PROJECT 2025 

Project 2025 poses significant threats to the South Asian community in the U.S. by targeting crucial immigration policies and civil rights protections. The proposed restrictions on H-1B visas, essential for South Asian professionals in technology and healthcare, could disrupt careers and create a talent gap in key industries, while exacerbating family separations. Additionally, the plan’s rollback of affirmative action and support for minority-owned businesses threatens South Asian entrepreneurs by favoring large corporations and stifling economic mobility. Civil rights could also suffer as reduced federal oversight increases vulnerability to discrimination and hate crimes, undermining justice and safety for South Asians. Moreover, Project 2025 risks eroding voting rights, further diminishing the community’s influence on policies that affect their lives. Overall, these impacts threaten the well-being and progress of the South Asian community, highlighting the urgent need to address these concerns

The largest wave of South Asian immigration to the United States began in the 1990s, largely due to the booming tech industry, which facilitated the entry of skilled workers through H-1B visas. This visa program, designed for highly skilled professionals, enabled many South Asians, particularly from India, to come to the U.S. and contribute to the growth of industries such as IT, engineering, and healthcare.

If Project 2025's proposals were enacted, these visas could face severe restrictions or be halted entirely, leading to significant consequences for the South Asian community and the broader economy:

Loss of Skilled Worker Opportunities:

• H-1B Visas at Risk: Project 2025 advocates for tightening immigration policies, which could result in halting or drastically reducing the issuance of H-1B visas. This would close the primary pathway for South Asian professionals to enter the U.S., particularly in fields like technology, medicine, and academia.

• Impact on South Asian Families: Many South Asians currently in the U.S. on work visas might face uncertainty about their ability to remain in the country. This could create challenges for family members who depend on these visa holders.

Economic Impact on Tech and STEM Industries:

• Tech Industry Talent Gap: The U.S. tech industry heavily relies on talent from South Asia, especially India. Restricting these skilled worker visas could lead to a significant talent shortage, disrupting innovation and growth.

• Job Loss and Brain Drain: South Asian professionals have established careers and businesses in the U.S., contributing significantly to the economy. Reducing or ending the visa programs could force this talent pool to seek opportunities elsewhere, resulting in a "brain drain" that could harm U.S. competitiveness in global markets.

Barrier to Long-Term Residency and Citizenship:

• Green Card Backlogs: Many South Asians on H-1B visas are already facing long waiting periods for green cards due to per-country quotas. Stopping these visas would worsen the backlog, making it more difficult for South Asians to achieve permanent residency and citizenship.

• Family Separation: Immigration restrictions would also complicate the ability of South Asian professionals to bring family members to the U.S., disrupting family unity and creating uncertainty about their future in the country.

Halting skilled worker visas would not only impede South Asian immigration but also disrupt the tech sector and other industries that depend on this talent. This would mark a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy and could negatively impact both the South Asian community and the broader American economy.

Immigration and Citizenship Pathways

Family Reunification Slowdown:

• Lengthened Wait Times: Family-based immigration has been a crucial means for South Asians to bring relatives to the U.S. However, under Project 2025, these pathways could be further restricted, resulting in even longer wait times for family reunification.

• Emotional and Social Costs: Delays in family reunification affect not only the practical aspects of immigration but also cause significant emotional distress for South Asians who are separated from their families for extended periods. These delays can disrupt family support systems, making it more challenging for immigrant communities to establish strong roots in the U.S.

Increased Uncertainty for Workers and Green Card Applicants:

• Visa Holders in Limbo: Thousands of South Asians on H-1B visas are already facing long green card backlogs due to country-specific quotas. Project 2025’s proposed changes could exacerbate these delays, leaving many in a prolonged state of uncertainty about their long-term status in the U.S.

• Career Growth and Stability: This uncertainty can hinder career growth, as visa holders often face limitations on changing jobs or pursuing new opportunities. The absence of a clear path to permanent residency may discourage skilled workers from coming to or remaining in the U.S., adversely affecting both the individuals and the industries they support.

Erosion of Civil Rights

South Asians gained the right to vote in 1965, a milestone achieved through the civil rights movement's relentless struggle for equality and justice. The protections established during this era are crucial for ensuring fair treatment and representation for marginalized communities, including South Asians. However, under Project 2025, many of these hard-won civil rights achievements could be jeopardized. Here’s how the plan could impact South Asians:

1. Increased Vulnerability to Discrimination

• Employment, Education, and Housing: Project 2025 aims to reduce federal oversight of civil rights protections, potentially making South Asians more susceptible to discrimination. Without strong federal enforcement, South Asians might encounter increased difficulties in securing fair opportunities in employment, education, and housing. The rollback of protections could also allow unchecked racial biases to limit opportunities for upward mobility and access to essential resources.

• Civil Rights Protections at Risk: The safeguards that protect South Asians from workplace discrimination and housing bias could be weakened, leaving the community with fewer legal options to challenge unfair treatment.

2. Less Government Intervention in Racial Profiling

• Islamophobia and Xenophobia: South Asians, particularly those from Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu communities, have historically faced racial profiling, Islamophobia, and xenophobia in the U.S. Project 2025’s policies might lead to reduced government oversight in these areas, making it more difficult for South Asians to report and address instances of racial profiling.

• Fewer Legal Recourses: With diminished protections, incidents of racial profiling by law enforcement or in public spaces could increase. South Asians, especially those who visibly practice their faith or have immigrant backgrounds, may face heightened discrimination with limited avenues for seeking justice.

3. Erosion of Voting Rights

• Attacks on Voting Access: Since South Asians only secured the right to vote after the Civil Rights Act of 1965, any challenge to these protections could undermine the community’s voting rights. Project 2025's weakening of civil rights oversight could compromise the safeguards under the Voting Rights Act, potentially enabling discriminatory practices like voter suppression to re-emerge.

• Disenfranchisement of South Asian Voters: Policies that restrict voting access, such as stricter ID requirements or limitations on early voting, could disproportionately impact immigrant communities, including South Asians. These restrictions may lead to reduced voter turnout among South Asians, diminishing their political representation.

Small Business Impact

Project 2025’s economic policies could significantly affect South Asian small business owners, despite its pro-business rhetoric. Many South Asians own and operate small businesses in sectors such as tech, retail, and hospitality, and any shifts in federal support systems or economic policy could directly impact their livelihoods. Here’s how:

1. Reduced Access to Resources for Minority-Owned Businesses

• Affirmative Action Rollbacks: Project 2025 seeks to diminish or eliminate affirmative action policies that currently support minority-owned businesses. South Asian entrepreneurs benefit from these policies, which promote diversity in contracting, grant allocation, and other critical areas.

• Minority-Targeted Grants and Programs: The rollback of federal programs designed to support minority-owned businesses, including grants, loans, and technical assistance, would restrict access to essential resources for South Asian entrepreneurs. Without these supports, many South Asian businesses may struggle with capital access, operational growth, and competition against larger, established companies.

2. Favoring Large Corporations Over Small Businesses

• Corporate Power: Project 2025’s economic policies could disproportionately favor large corporations by reducing regulations and taxes on big businesses. This could create a market environment where larger companies dominate, potentially pushing out smaller, minority-owned businesses that are crucial to South Asian communities.

• Competition and Marginalization: As large corporations gain strength, small South Asian-owned businesses in tech, retail, and hospitality might find it increasingly difficult to compete. The absence of government support and the consolidation of market power could marginalize these small businesses, leaving them without the necessary resources or networks to thrive.

3. Impact on South Asian Entrepreneurs

• Economic Instability: Many South Asians who migrated to the U.S. chose entrepreneurship as a means of economic mobility and community empowerment. Project 2025’s policies, which favor large corporations, could destabilize these businesses, leading to reduced job opportunities, diminished wealth creation, and less community reinvestment.

• Reduced Pathways to Success: For many South Asian immigrants, the American dream has been realized through entrepreneurship. With fewer grants, loans, and federal programs supporting small businesses, South Asians could face greater barriers to starting or expanding their ventures, stifling their economic potential.

Healthcare and Reproductive Rights

Project 2025 presents significant challenges for the South Asian physician community, which plays a crucial role in the U.S. healthcare system. South Asians represent one of the largest groups of foreign-born doctors in the U.S., particularly in fields such as internal medicine, cardiology, and surgery. The policies proposed in Project 2025 could create new obstacles for South Asian healthcare professionals. Here’s how:

1. Targeting Physicians with Religious or Cultural Backgrounds

• Christian Nationalist Approach to Medicine: Project 2025 could impose a more ideologically driven approach to healthcare, promoting a conservative Christian framework. This stance may conflict with the diverse religious backgrounds of many South Asian doctors, including Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism. Policies that introduce religious or moral restrictions on medical practices could hinder these physicians' ability to provide comprehensive care, particularly in sensitive areas such as reproductive health, end-of-life care, and LGBTQ+ healthcare.

• Increased Discrimination: Despite their high regard in the medical field, South Asian doctors might experience increased discrimination under policies that undermine diversity or prioritize religious ideology over medical expertise. Project 2025 could create barriers for non-Christian doctors to advance in their careers or practice medicine without facing bias or restrictions based on their religious or cultural background.

2. Impact on Medical Practice

• Restrictions on Healthcare Services: Project 2025 could introduce new laws limiting healthcare services that clash with conservative ideologies, particularly in reproductive healthcare, abortion, and other controversial treatments. South Asian doctors working in gynecology, obstetrics, and reproductive health could face legal and professional challenges in providing necessary care to their patients.

• Loss of Autonomy in Medical Decision-Making: Stricter controls over healthcare practices might reduce physicians' autonomy in making critical medical decisions. South Asian doctors could be compelled to adhere to policies that conflict with their professional judgment or their patients' needs, compromising their ability to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care.

3. Threats to Future Generations of South Asian Physicians

• Impact on Medical Education: Project 2025 could alter medical education curricula to align with a more conservative, ideologically driven agenda. Future generations of South Asian doctors might be trained in an environment where religious or political beliefs overshadow scientific integrity, potentially affecting the quality of healthcare and limiting their ability to innovate or provide advanced medical treatments.

• Barriers to Entry for International Doctors: Many South Asian physicians are in the U.S. through H-1B visa programs or similar immigration pathways. Project 2025’s restrictive immigration policies could make it more difficult for skilled doctors from South Asia to enter the U.S. healthcare system. This would result in a decrease in foreign-born physicians, who have historically made significant contributions to the medical workforce, particularly in underserved areas.

4. Small Business Owners Losing Affordable Healthcare

• Affordable Care for Small Businesses: Many South Asian-owned small businesses depend on affordable healthcare plans for their employees. Project 2025’s policies could make it more challenging for small business owners to offer affordable healthcare coverage, impacting both their employees and their businesses' financial stability. With fewer healthcare options, South Asian entrepreneurs may struggle to attract and retain employees or face increased healthcare costs.

• Burden on the South Asian Community: Small business ownership is a vital part of the South Asian community’s economic foundation in the U.S. By removing affordable healthcare options, Project 2025 could place a financial burden on business owners and hinder their ability to succeed in competitive markets.

Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric and Safety Concerns

The anti-immigrant rhetoric embedded in Project 2025 could have severe and multifaceted impacts on South Asians, exacerbating existing challenges and creating new risks. Here’s a detailed look at how this could affect the community:

1. Increased Vulnerability to Hate Crimes

• Heightened Targeting: South Asians, particularly those who are Muslim or Sikh, may experience a rise in xenophobic attacks and hate crimes. The rhetoric promoted by Project 2025 could embolden individuals and groups with anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim sentiments, leading to more frequent and severe instances of racial and religious harassment or violence.

• Community Fear and Isolation: The increased visibility of hate crimes and discriminatory rhetoric may instill fear and anxiety within South Asian communities. This could result in heightened social isolation, reluctance to participate in community activities, and an overall sense of insecurity among South Asians.

2. Reduced Legal Protections and Recourses

• Weakened Federal Protections: Project 2025’s potential reduction in federal oversight and protections for civil rights could leave South Asians with fewer avenues for legal recourse when facing discrimination or hate crimes. This reduction in federal protection might lead to a less effective response from law enforcement and the legal system in addressing hate crimes and racial violence.

• Barriers to Reporting and Justice: The erosion of legal protections might discourage victims from reporting hate crimes or seeking justice. Fear of further victimization or distrust in the justice system could prevent South Asians from coming forward, exacerbating the issue of unreported and unresolved hate crimes.

3. Impact on Community Safety and Well-Being

• Increased Community Tensions: The rise in anti-immigrant rhetoric and associated hate crimes can create broader tensions within communities. South Asians might encounter increased hostility in public spaces, workplaces, and educational institutions, which could undermine their sense of safety and well-being.

• Strain on Community Resources: As hate crimes increase, there will likely be greater demand on community organizations to provide support services such as legal assistance, counseling, and advocacy. This increased demand could strain resources and divert attention from other critical community initiatives.

4. Cultural and Religious Impact

• Targeting Religious Practices: South Asians who practice religions such as Islam or Sikhism may face specific forms of discrimination, including attacks on places of worship, public harassment, or biased enforcement of laws affecting religious dress and practices. The anti-immigrant rhetoric could further marginalize these groups, making it more challenging to freely practice their faith.

• Cultural Alienation: The growing sentiment of exclusion fostered by Project 2025’s rhetoric could lead to cultural alienation, where South Asians feel pressured to conform to mainstream norms or hide aspects of their identity. This could erode the rich cultural diversity that South Asians contribute to broader society.

5. Long-Term Implications for Integration and Representation

• Challenges to Integration Efforts: Increased hostility and discriminatory policies could undermine efforts to integrate South Asians into various aspects of American life, including political, economic, and social spheres. The broader societal pushback against immigrants might slow progress in building inclusive and representative communities.

• Impact on Political and Civic Engagement: As South Asians face increased hostility, their participation in civic activities, including voting, advocacy, and community leadership roles, may diminish. This reduction in engagement could further marginalize the community and weaken their influence in shaping policies that affect them.

Municipal Election in your area

Arlington, Texas - Mayor and city council

• Dallas, Texas - Mayor and city council

• Fort Worth, Texas - Mayor and city council

• Garland, Texas - Mayor and city council

• Houston, Texas - Mayor, city council, and controller

• Irving, Texas - Mayor and city council

• Plano, Texas - City council

• San Antonio, Texas - Mayor and city council

• Bexar County, Texas - River authority board

• Collin County, Texas - Community college board of trustees

• El Paso County, Texas - Community college board of trustees

• Harris County, Texas - Community college board of trustees

• Tarrant County, Texas - College board and regional water district board

As we enter the new year, many of us are thinking about resolutions and ways that we can make a difference in the world. One way to do this is by volunteering with SAAVETX, an organization that serves the South Asian community in Texas.

By volunteering with SAAVETX, you can help to engage more South Asians in the political process and promote greater civic participation in the community. SAAVETX works to educate and empower members of the community about their rights and responsibilities as voters, and provides resources and support to help ensure that their voices are heard.

There are many ways to get involved with SAAVETX as a volunteer, depending on your interests and availability. Some options might include helping with voter registration efforts, assisting with community outreach and education, or providing administrative support.

Not only will volunteering with SAAVETX allow you to make a positive impact in the lives of others, it can also be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. You will have the opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people, and be a part of a meaningful and important cause.

So, if you are looking for a new year's resolution that will make a difference in your community, consider volunteering with SAAVETX. You'll be helping to create a more inclusive and representative democracy, while also gaining valuable experiences and skills.

How to evaluate School Board Races in Texas

By using this checklist, South Asians can make informed decisions when choosing school board members who will work towards creating better educational opportunities for students.School board races are critical for South Asians as we aim to elect competent individuals who prioritize education and avoid playing culture wars. As parents and community members, we want to ensure that our children receive a world-class education that prepares them for the future. This means electing school board members who understand the importance of a rigorous curriculum that provides our children with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.

Checklist for choosing a competent school board member:

1. Prioritize Competence: Choose candidates who have experience in education, finance, or management. They should have a track record of making sound decisions that benefit students, teachers, and the community.

2. Avoid Culture Wars: Stay away from candidates who focus on divisive issues such as race, religion, or political affiliations. Look for individuals who can work with diverse groups and promote inclusivity.

3. Look for a Strong Curriculum: Look for candidates who prioritize the development of a world-class curriculum that prepares students for the future.

4. Budgeting Skills: Choose candidates who understand budgeting and can effectively allocate resources to improve student outcomes.

5. Experience Matters: Consider candidates who have a proven record of improving schools and creating successful educational programs.

6. Reject Extremists: Avoid candidates who are extremists or have an agenda that is focused on a single issue or ideology. Look for individuals who are open-minded, collaborative, and focused on student success.

7. Against Vouchers: Choose candidates who are against the voucher system, which diverts public funds to private schools and weakens the public school system.

How South Asians can flex their political power in local elections

As the fastest-growing minority population in Texas, South Asians have a significant role to play in shaping the future of our cities. However, when it comes to local elections, many South Asians do not turn out to vote. While 75% of us vote in a presidential election, on average only 6% vote in a municipal election, depending on your city.

It's time for us to change that. Municipal elections may not get the same amount of media attention as presidential elections, but they are just as important, if not more so, for our day-to-day lives. Local officials make decisions that affect everything from the quality of our schools to the safety of our neighborhoods. When we don't participate in local elections, we're giving up our voice in these critical decisions.

We have the power to make a difference. The South Asian community is large and growing, and our votes can have a significant impact on local races across Texas. By coming together and voting, we can ensure that our concerns are heard and addressed by our elected officials.

It's also essential to recognize that local elections can be decided by just a few votes. Your vote could be the deciding factor in who gets elected to the city council, school board, or other local positions. Every vote counts, and we need to make sure that our voices are heard.

As we approach local elections, let's commit to making our voices heard. Whether you're voting for a school board member or a city council representative, your vote matters. Take the time to learn about the candidates and their positions, and make sure to vote on Election Day.

In conclusion, South Asians should make sure to vote in local elections. We may vote 75% in a presidential election, but only 6% in a municipal election, which means we are giving up our voice in critical decisions that impact our daily lives. Let's come together and use our power to make a difference in our communities by voting on Election Day.

Polling Locations and Times By County

Click on Your County Name

Bexar County

Collin County

Denton County

Dallas County

Ft Bend County

Harris County

Hays County

Tarrant County

Travis County

Williamson County

Other Counties If your county of residence is not listed above, click on this link to be directed to your local polling locations and times.

Curbside Voting

Curbside Voting

Curbside voting is available at all polling locations during Early Voting and on Election Day. It is a good idea but not required to call your county elections office in advance to confirm your intention to use this facility.

You can find the addresses and phone numbers for all 254 counties in Texas by going to https://bit.ly/TXCtyRegistrars. To find their website, Google “[your county name] website” to find more information.

This service is reserved for those who are “physically unable to enter the polling place,” typically the mobility-impaired and/or elderly. In addition, if you are ill (meaning ill with something other than COVID-19; if you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, contact your County Elections office to check if you are eligible for curbside voting and still wish to vote, you may do so with curbside voting.

What are Your Voting Rights

What Are Your Voting Rights

You have rights, and it’s important to know what they are. You can find the full list here: https://www.votetexas.gov/your-rights/

AN IMPORTANT RIGHT IS THE RIGHT TO CAST A PROVISIONAL BALLOT. YOU MAY CAST A PROVISIONAL BALLOT IF:

your name does not appear on the list of registered voters

you do not meet the voter ID requirements and cannot sign the Reasonable Impediment Declaration

If you need to cast a provisional ballot, the election judge will provide you details about how to cure the provisional status of your ballot and the time frame in which that must be done.

HELP HOTLINE

In case you have concerns you may call Texas Democratic Party Voter Information and Protection Hotline at 1-844-898-6837.

Have questions or need help voting? Call

1-888-API-VOTE (1-888-274-8683).

Bilingual assistance is available in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Urdu, Hindi, and Bengali.

There are several reasons you may want to call the hotline,for instance:

You have questions about voting that you cannot find the answers to.

You have been denied the right to vote.

You have witnessed illegal or questionable electioneering behavior.

You have experienced unusual delays or voting discrimination.

There is voter intimidation occurring .

You have been wrongly purged from the voter registration rolls .

Important Dates for 2022 Primaries

Voter Registration Ends January 31

Application to Vote by Mail

Must be received by your county election office by February 18th

Early Voting Ends February 25

Vote by Mail Ballots

Must be received by County Elections office (https://bit.ly/TXCtyRegistrars) by Tuesday, March 1st at 7:00 pm

Final Election Day March 1st

Vote By Mail

The deadline for the county to receive your application for a mail ballot for the March 2022 Primary is Friday, February 18, 2022.

Note: Due to reports of applications being rejected in some counties, we are recommending voters include both the ID numbers of one of the indicated forms (either Texas Driver’s License, State ID number, or election ID certificate if you have neither) and the last four digits of their social security number.

New Required Procedure 

A new law requires that individuals who vote by mail include with both their application and mail ballot either their:

• Texas Driver’s License number

• Texas State ID number

• Last four digits of their social security number, or

• Election ID Certificate number

There will be a designated location on the application and the ballot’s carrier envelope where you will include one of those ID numbers. 

If you receive a vote by mail application or ballot rejection notice for reason of incorrect or missing ID numbers, you can add the numbers or correct the numbers using the Secretary of State’s ballot and application tracker portal.

Once you’ve been approved and receive your mail-in ballot, please complete it as soon as possible and either mail it back to your Early Voting Clerk or hand deliver it to their office on Election Day.

Want to see the status of your application or mail-in ballot? Click here to head to the Secretary of State’s NEW online tracker.

Who is able to request a Mail Ballot?

• Individuals 65 and over on Election Day

• Individuals who are sick or have a disability and affirmatively indicate on the application that they “have a sickness or physical condition that prevents [them] from appearing at the polling place on election day without a likelihood of needing personal assistance or injuring [their] health,”

• Individuals who are confined in jail

• Individuals who will be outside of their county during Early Vote AND Election Day

• Individuals who are expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day

Where can I get a mail ballot application?

• If you have access to a printer and computer, you can print off an application here.

• If you need an application mailed to you, fill out this request form here.

• Mail or hand deliver your application to the address listed for your county here.

What qualifies as a disability or physical condition?

• Any voter who applies to vote by mail for reason of disability or physical condition must also affirmatively indicate on the application that they “have a sickness or physical condition that prevents [them] from appearing at the polling place on election day without a likelihood of needing personal assistance or injuring [their] health,”

• The decision to apply to vote by mail based on a disability or physical condition is your own (subject to a correct understanding of the law). Your county clerk has no responsibility to question or investigate your application unless you provide additional information explaining your specific disability or physical condition.

• The following do NOT constitute sufficient cause to vote by mail: lack of transportation; needing to be on-site at work; or a sickness that does not prevent you from appearing at the polling place on Election Day without a likelihood of needing personal assistance or of injuring your health.

• If your application to vote by mail has been questioned or rejected, call 844-TX-VOTES for assistance.

I forgot to include my ID number on my application.

• Look up your application on the state’s tracker portal and you will be able to enter your ID number. This should complete your application and you should be mailed a ballot.

I forgot which ID number I used on my ballot application.

• If the ID numbers included on the application and ballot both bring up the same voter when searched, then the numbers will be accepted and the ballot signature will still be presumed to be that of the voter.

It is close to the deadline and I would like to vote by mail, but I am worried my application will not arrive to the Early Voting Clerk on time.

• Due to a change in state law, voters are now able to hand-deliver their mail-in ballot application in-person at their Early Voting Clerk’s office through the day of the deadline.

• If you are not able to hand-deliver your application, you also have the option to overnight your application via USPS or a common contract carrier, such as UPS and FedEx. Remember, it must arrive at the Early Voting Clerk’s office by closing time on the day of the deadline.

• You can also submit your application via email or fax, but you must also mail the original, hard copy of your application to the early clerk of your county. And it must be received by your county within 4 business days of your email/fax.

  • First, complete the application here, print it out, and sign it.

  • Email or fax a photo or scanned version of your application to the early voting clerk of your county by Friday, February 18, 2022. You can find the email address and fax number for your early voting clerk here. Then, you must also mail the original, hard copy of the application to your early voting clerk, and it must be received within four business days of your email/fax (February 24 if you emailed/faxed it on February 18). You can find the mailing address for your early voting clerk here.

What if I become disabled or hospitalized on or after the deadline to request a mail-in ballot?

• You have the option of voting a late ballot. A registered voter who becomes disabled or hospitalized on or after the deadline may fill out this application, have a physician, chiropractor, or accredited Christian Science practitioner complete the affidavit section, and have a friend, family member, or other representative deliver the application and pick up a ballot from the early voting clerk. The application can be submitted until 5pm on Election Day. Then, the voter can mark the ballot, and their representative can personally deliver it back to the early voting clerk’s office before 7:00 pm on Election Day.

I’m helping/I am a military or overseas voter. How can they/I get a ballot?

• There are special provisions and deadlines to make voting easier for military personnel and overseas citizens. Get more information here.

Mail Ballot

When does my mail ballot need to be received in order to be counted?

• Your mail ballot must be received by your county by 7pm on Election Day (if it’s not postmarked) or 5pm the day after Election Day (as long as it’s postmarked by 7pm on Election Day).

Can I send my ballot by FedEx or UPS?

• We strongly recommend that you hand-deliver your ballot on Election Day. If you choose to send your ballot via FedEx or UPS, keep in mind that the envelope containing your ballot will not be postmarked, so it must arrive by Election Day.

Can I hand deliver my ballot to the elections office?

• Yes, but only on Election Day. Other rules were in place for the November 2020 election, but for the March 2022 Primary election you can only hand deliver your ballot on Election Day to the early voting clerk’s office.

Source: Texas Democratic Party

What to take to the polls

What to take to the Polls

THERE ARE 2 KEY ITEMS YOU NEED TO TAKE TO THE VOTING BOOTH:

First, take a valid form of ID.

Senate Bill 5, passed by the 85th Legislature, Regular Session, requires voters who possess an acceptable form of photo identification for voting listed below to present that identification in order to vote in person in all Texas elections.:

1. Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)

2. Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS

3. Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS

4. Texas Handgun License issued by DPS

5. United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph

6. United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph

7. United States Passport (book or card)

8. With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Certificate, which does not expire, for voters aged 18-69, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired no more than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place. For voters aged 70 or older, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired for any length of time if the identification is otherwise valid.

US Passport (Book or ID) If you are age 69 or younger on Election Day, any of the acceptable forms of voter ID can be expired up to four (4) years as of Election Day (expired more recently than November 3, 2016). If you are 70 or older on Election Day, your ID can be expired for any length of time.

It’s ok if the address on your Drivers License does not match your registered address, though as a precaution you should take a utility bill or other official mail with your name and address matching your registered name and address.

Next, print out our Election Guide for your county.

Print out any of guides we have provided for you. Cell phones are not permitted to be on in the polls so print the Election Guide for your county and be sure to take it with you.

Other recommendations you may consider for Covid safety: bringing your own marking instrument such as a pen, pencil with eraser, or stylus to use when checking in to vote and for marking your ballot, wearing latex gloves and bringing your hand sanitizer to the polling location to use after leaving the polling locations, wearing an appropriate face mask over your nose and mouth at the polling.

Collin County County Commissioners Court - Redistricting

Desis Raise your voice!

Collin County redistricting has not been transparent or open to feedback from the community. Our voices are powerful and can affect change. We are the fastest-growing population in Colin County. We cannot allow maps to be drawn behind closed doors. Other Counties in contrast have been open and transparent.

There is very little time left for them to adopt new maps as required by law and even less time for them to hold public meetings for comment. 

Please take a moment to call or email. Use the script as a guidleines, but use your own words

If you have questions, you can reach out to Sarah Chen at the Texas Civil Rights Project at schen@texascivilrightsproject.org for more information and for assistance with drawing maps. 

Collin County Template

Dear Commissioner _____/Judge _____,

I am a resident of Collin County, and I want to know why the county commissioners’ court has not yet released any information about county commissioner precinct redistricting. Other counties, such as Dallas and Hays, have provided many opportunities for public feedback on maps. I would like the formal opportunity to give public comments in my county about how precinct lines should be drawn to respect my community of interest, particularly my growing Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

Does the commissioner’s court have any plans to release information about the redistricting process? How will that information be released? 

I urge you to make public on the county website all redistricting criteria and data considered, all map proposals, dates and locations for public comment, and dates when the Commissioner Court will vote on the maps.

Thank you for your time and attention, and I hope to see more information about county redistricting soon.

Best,

Your name

Email, Call or Fax.

Collin County Commissioners Court

Collin County Administration Building

2300 Bloomdale Rd., Suite 4192

McKinney, TX 75071

Map

Chris Hill, County Judge

chill@collincountytx.gov

972-424-1460 ext. 4631

972-548-4699 (Fax)

Susan Fletcher, Precinct 1 Commissioner

sfletcher@collincountytx.gov

972-424-1460 ext. 4676

972-548-4699 (Fax)

Cheryl Williams, Precinct 2 Commissioner

cdwilliams@collincountytx.gov

972-424-1460 ext. 4626

972-548-4699 (Fax)

Darrell Hale, Precinct 3 Commissioner

dhale@collincountytx.gov

972-424-1460 ext. 4631

972-548-4699 (Fax)

Duncan Webb, Precinct 4 Commissioner

jdwebb@collincountytx.gov

972-424-1460 ext. 4631

972-548-4699 (Fax)

What to take to the Polls Nov 2021

There are 2 key items you need to take to the voting booth:

First, take a valid form of ID.

The acceptable forms of voter ID are: 1. Texas Drivers License 2. Texas Personal Identification Card 3. Texas Election ID Certificate 4. Texas Handgun License 5. US Citizenship Certificate with Photo 6. US Military ID Card with Photo 7. US Passport (Book or ID) If you are age 69 or younger on Election Day, any of the acceptable forms of voter ID can be expired up to four (4) years as of Election Day (expired more recently than November 3, 2016). If you are 70 or older on Election Day, your ID can be expired for any length of time.

It’s ok if the address on your Drivers License does not match your registered address, though as a precaution you should take a utility bill or other official mail with your name and address matching your registered name and address.

Next, print out our Election Guide for your county. Print out any of guides we have provided for you. Cell phones are not permitted to be on in the polls so print the Election Guide for your county and be sure to take it with you.

Other recommendations you may consider for Covid safety: bringing your own marking instrument such as a pen, pencil with eraser, or stylus to use when checking in to vote and for marking your ballot, wearing latex gloves and bringing your hand sanitizer to the polling location to use after leaving the polling locations, wearing an appropriate face mask over your nose and mouth at the polling.