How to talk to your AAPI community about voting on Election Day
This article is the third and final in our civic season “How to Talk to Your AAPI Community about… ” series, providing conversation strategies for encouraging your loved ones to participate in the civic engagement process this upcoming 2024 election.
It’s almost November, meaning that early voting is ending and Election Day is right around the corner.
Early voting ends on November 1st. Election Day is November 5th, 2024.
If you’re on this page, chances are you already care about voting and making sure our Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in Texas is properly represented this fall. You agree that Asian Texans shouldn’t be messed with, and want to do your part in getting your loved ones out to vote.
What is Election Day and why does it matter?
As of Oct 30th, over 6.8 million Texans have voted early. November 1st is the last day to vote early before Election Day on November 5th.
Election Day is the last day you can exercise your right as an American citizen to vote and have your voice represented. In Texas, we are getting the opportunity to not only elect our leaders in the highest office, but also the local leaders who make laws & decisions that impact our everyday lives.
With all that being said, let’s get your AAPI community to vote early!
General Approach
Identify your audience - Who do you know that hasn’t already voted?
Figure out & remove barriers - What are the barriers they face when it comes to voting (information, language access, time)? How can you step in and help remove these barriers?
Make a plan - Help them make a plan to vote on Election Day. Whether it’s visiting their county’s election department website together or finding their voting polling location, making a plan with them will increase their likelihood of voting.
Do it together! - Going to vote together helps make the process feel less intimidating and can be a great way to bond with your person! Peer accountability is a great incentive.
A note on getting different generations of AAPI voters to vote on Election Day
The challenges of AAPI elders, parents, young professionals, and young adults can vary and intersect. Election Day traditionally has the highest number of voters turning out to vote, meaning that polling locations may be more crowded and harder to navigate than during Early Voting.
If you are trying to convince someone from a vulnerable population to vote on Election Day, we strongly recommend that you vote with them or accompany them as a translator. Try to research a polling location with less traffic, and be prepared to stay for longer than you think it would take.
The Case for Voting: Overall Takeaways
Shaping the Future. Whoever we elect as the next President of the United States will have the power to appoint several Supreme Court Justices. This means that this election doesn’t only determine the next four years, but has the power to influence the next 60 years of policy and American life.
Numbers Matter. Texas lawmakers are like any other lawmakers across the nation. They care about what their constituents think about them. Constituents matter to lawmakers because they are who have the power to elect, re-elect, or remove a lawmaker from office.
If AAPI Texans do not have a record of voting in Texas, our voices will not be considered important to Texas lawmakers. This means that Texas lawmakers will make policy decisions without AAPI Texans in mind. Our participation in civic engagement and voting is our way of keeping our communities safe.
Caring for your Community. This election, we know that a lot is on the line and that some members of our AAPI community are not able to vote. You are not only voting for yourself, but for your community. Our vote is our power.
Your vote is your power. Last but not least, your vote matters. In Texas, local races are determined by popular vote – this has led to people being elected by less than a hundred votes in some races. You and your vote can actually make a difference in determining who impacts your local, daily life. This election, we know that a lot is on the line and that some members of our AAPI community are not able to vote. You are not only voting for yourself, but for your community. Our vote is our power.
Now, that we’ve gone through why it’s important to vote on Election Day, let’s get to actually voting!
HOW TO VOTE IN-PERSON IN TEXAS
Find a polling location near you
You can either look up a polling location using your county’s Election Department website or the Texas Secretary of State’s website (ex. Google “Dallas County elections department”) OR you can find the list of election clerks here
Check what’s on your ballot
Use our ATJ Ballot Builder tool to research what’s on your ballot in English, Chinese, or Vietnamese!
You can prepare ahead of time to know who you’ll be voting for, making the actual voting process faster.
Print out your personalized ATJ Ballot and bring it with you to the polls!
What you’ll need
A Valid Texas ID or Social Security Number:
Texas Drivers License or
Texas Personal Identification Card or
Last 4 digits of your SSN
Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
US Passport Book or Card
Go vote!
Now that you’ve coordinated a time and place to vote early, take your loved ones, and get to voting!
Accessibility note: All Texas polling locations are required to be accessible. Be sure to call your polling location ahead of time if you need accommodations. Check out all the accessibility measures that you are entitled to! If you or your loved ones require assistance with voting, you can:
request translation assistance
mobility assistance
curbside voting (where you can vote from your car)
Pro-Tip: If you have accessibility issues, you can skip to the front of the line to vote. Election Code allows this (Texas Senate Bill 477 was passed in 2023)!
Final Election Day Tips
Need Accommodations? Call ahead! If you or your loved one requires translation or accessibility services, be sure to call the polling station before you go. This will make sure that they can have the services you need ready for when you arrive. (This means literally calling the library, community center, temple/church that you may be going to. Alternatively you can also call your county elections or tax office).
Be prepared to wait. Voting on Election Day may mean waiting in longer lines. Give yourself enough time to go and vote. Whether it’s from 30 min to 2 hrs, know that you’ll be experiencing longer waiting times and prepare accordingly. (Texas employers must allow employees to take time off to vote on Election Day).
Wear comfortable shoes, bring accommodations that will allow you to be in line (walker, wheelchair, etc), bring entertainment that is NOT your phone, and stay hydrated (some polling locations may not allow drinks to be taken inside near the actual voting machines, so be ready to leave it outside of the room).
Bring a buddy or be the buddy
Bringing a friend or family member to come and vote with you can help chase away the boredom of waiting in line.
Alternatively, if you have a loved one who is new to voting or may not use English as their first language, your presence can be a source of help and comfort.
Texas voters are allowed to bring someone to help translate and help them complete their ballot at the polls. You can bring a family member, friend, or someone else as long as the person is not your employer or union representative.
If you get in line to vote before 7 PM, you CAN STILL VOTE!
As long as you get in line before 7 PM on Election Day, you are still entitled to casting your ballot and VOTING in the election!
If someone tries to prevent you from voting despite the fact that you got in line before 7 PM, contact the Texas Civil Rights Voter Protection Hotlines
English: 866-OUR-VOTE or 866-687-8683
Asian Languages: 888-API-VOTE or 888-274-8683
Arabic: 844-YALLA-US or 844-925-5287
Print out your ballot or write down your choices and bring it with you!
Though phones aren’t allowed at polling locations, you ARE allowed to bring paper that you’ve written notes on!
Use our handy dandy ATJ ballot builder to prepare your ballot choices ahead of time. Bringing your printed notes will help speed along your voting process as well, because you don’t have to read through and make decisions in the moment of voting.
Dress for success
Wear whatever is most comfortable for you, but be careful not to wear any clothing that endorses any political candidate. Electioneering, which means to advocate “for or against any political candidate, measure or political party” was outlawed by the Supreme Court in 1992.
You can always cover up your outfit, turn your t-shirt inside out, or leave accessories in the car.
Thanks for working with us to build a Texas where everyone can feel bold in their belonging.
Stay safe, informed, and engaged during & after Election Day!
References & Resources
ATJ Ballot Builder - Build your ballot before going to the polls!
ATJ Voting Resources - One stop shop for everything you need
Your Rights as a Texas Voter - Helpful article by the Texas Tribune outlining your rights as a voter
Texas Voting Information- Official Texas Secretary of State’s website
Voter Hotlines
If you have any difficulty when voting at the polls contact the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and Texas Civil Rights Project election protection hotlines:
English: 866-OUR-VOTE or 866-687-8683
Asian Languages: 888-API-VOTE or 888-274-8683
Arabic: 844-YALLA-US or 844-925-5287
Español: 888-VE-Y-VOTA or 888-839-8682
American Sign Language: 3010-818-VOTE or 301-818-8683
Disability Rights Texas: 888-796-VOTE or 888-796-8683
This civic season, we want to equip you with the tools to civically engage with your family, friends, and community. Here’s the rest of our series:
How to talk to your AAPI community about registering to vote
How to build your ballot using ATJ’s Ballot Builder
Keep up to date with ATJ, our civic engagement opportunities, community events, and important news impacting AAPI Texans. Subscribe to our email here.
About the Author
Christina is the Communications & External Affairs Manager of Asian Texans for Justice. She is a Korean American creative, community builder, and comms professional based in Dallas, Texas. Christina has a passion for advocating for Asian American communities in politics, society, and media. You can reach her at christina@asiantexansforjustice.org.
