High school students from across the district gathered at Spring High School’s auditorium on Tuesday as part of National Voter Registration Day, which included a Q&A session with elected officials as well as the chance to actually register to vote on the spot and see how a voting machine works.
“We want you to leave here today knowing how to vote, where to vote, and most importantly registered to vote,” Ann Westbrooks, Chief Financial Officer, said.
The event, co-hosted by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Omicron Tau Omega Chapter, included a panel with elected officials as well as Spring ISD representatives who talked about the issues – local, state and national – that are included on election ballots along with the importance of getting involved in the democratic process.
The panel included Charles Cunningham, a candidate running unopposed for State District 127; Erica Lee Carter, a Lead Policy Advisor with Harris County Precinct One; Ginny Brown Daniel, a candidate running for State District 150; Justine Durant, Spring ISD Board of Trustees president; and Mark Miranda, Executive Chief of District Operations for Spring ISD.
The election on Nov. 8 will also have the Spring ISD 2022 Bond on the ballot. Last month, the Spring ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to place a $850 million bond measure on the general election ballot.
Miranda spoke to the seniors about the process of getting the bond on the ballot.
“In order to be able to meet the capital needs of a school district, public school districts hold what’s called a bond election. The bond election will take place this November,” Miranda explained. “Over the summer, we had a Bond Steering Committee help us identify and prioritize the needs of Spring ISD. That resulted in the three bonds that are on the November ballot. Online we have a great bond website that gives you all the information on what’s included.”
The bond has three propositions that would include the rebuilding of Spring High School, construction of a districtwide education and performance facility, renovations for several campuses, updates to technology, and safety and security features for all campuses.
“This morning is a very important morning,” said Spring ISD Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa. “Not only is it National Voter Registration Day, but for us in Spring ISD the most important piece is this panel of elected officials we have here today, to ask questions and gain knowledge from them. They have the opportunity to influence and pass laws that directly impact our lives.”
After the speakers were finished asking questions, the event closed with members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority assisting students who would be 18 in time to vote in the upcoming election and who chose to register.
For Megan Flores, a student at Wunsche High School, the upcoming election will be the first election she is eligible to vote in, and using her voice is a major part in why she plans on taking part.
“It is important for me to be the voice of many who probably never got the chance,” the high school senior said. “Not only are we learning what could help us, but we are getting people who are taking the time to teach us and help us learn about the future of Texas.”
The Texas Secretary of State’s Office today launched a voter registration campaign dubbed “VoteReady.” The statewide campaign aims to educate voters about the 7 approved forms of photo ID that can be used to vote and what to do if a voter does not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of those 7 IDs. The campaign also aims to educate voters who are eligible to vote by mail about the ID requirements for casting a mail-in ballot.