PHOTO: Image depicts blue flyer that says, "ARE YOU VOTE READY?" and the words, "Check out the proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution!" Photo by The Signal Managing Editor of Content & Operations Troylon Griffin II. — Early Voting takes place in the Garden Room of the Bayou Building and lasts until Oct. 29. UHCL will be a voting location on Election Day as well. Photo by The Signal Managing Editor of Content & Operations Troylon Griffin II.

Vote in the 2021 Harris County Uniform Election at UHCL

By Troylon Griffin II, Editor-in-Chief On Nov 1, 2021 181 0

UHCL is a designated polling location for the 2021 Harris County uniform election. The polls were open during the early voting period and will be open on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Those in the UHCL community and surrounding area can participate in the election by visiting the polls in the Garden Room of the Bayou Building.

The uniform election is when many local political subdivisions, such as cities, school districts and water districts have regular general elections for members of their governing bodies, such as city council members, or special elections to fill vacancies. The Harris County Uniform Election includes local and municipal special elections and propositions relevant to residents of the county.

“This Uniform Election includes amendments to the Texas Constitution, propositions for funding of a couple of projects, and candidates for school boards and municipal utilities districts,” said Community Engagement Coordinator Mohammad Khan. “Elections like these determine who serves on school boards, as well as water and utilities districts. They also provide funding for various initiatives, including community and public-use buildings.”

PHOTO: Photo depicts green sign that says "EARLY VOTING" in multiple languages with an arrow pointing left to direct voters to the right location. Photo by The Signal Managing Editor of Content & Operations Troylon Griffin II. — Early Voting took place in the Garden Room of the Bayou Building through Oct. 29. UHCL will be a voting location on Election Day as well. Photo by The Signal Managing Editor of Content & Operations Troylon Griffin II.

To vote, one must bring a form of ID. The state of Texas requires voters to bring one of seven possible forms of acceptable photo ID in order to vote. A full list of acceptable forms of ID and exceptions are listed on the Texas Secretary of State’s votetexas.org website.

Non-UHCL students are encouraged to park in Student Parking Lot D. They can also park in Visitor Lot R, but Student Parking Lot D provides the most convenient and accessible path to the building and the Garden Room. Parking is free for voters.

“Every election matters,” Khan said. “While this is not a midterm election, let alone a presidential election, there are still a couple of good reasons to vote in these ‘off years,’ including [how] many decisions are made on a local level related to education, taxes and construction. Consider becoming informed on who these issues impact. While some of these issues may not impact you, consider individuals who are unable to vote and how you might vote use voting to advocate for them. Let voting become a habit. Be in the practice of casting your vote.”

Early Voting took place in the Garden Room of the Bayou Building through Oct. 29. UHCL will be a voting location on Tuesday, Nov. 2 for Election Day as well. Voting will be open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Hawks who live in Galveston county can find information about polling locations on the Galveston County Clerk’s website. For additional election information, visit https://www.votetexas.gov/.