Pro-Tip: Vote Early

The campaign is going strong, even after I have left for grad school.

Rogene's making more public appearances and I've lined up a few volunteers to take my place.

Congrats to Rogene for getting the Houston Young Stonewall Democrats endorsement! She also received the Houston GLBT endorsement committee's recommendation. This is a testament to her commitment to diversity and standing up for all Houstonians.

Pro Tip: Vote Early and Don't forget to request a mail-in ballot if you're away on Election Day
As a former election precinct judge, I though I'd share some important dates to keep in mind.

First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (i.e. for the elderly who qualify, and college students, military, etc. who are residents of Harris County but not physically there on Election Day. Your ballot will be sent to an address outside of Harris County) Once you request a mail in ballot, fill it out, and send it in, you'll receive the official election ballot in the mail. The signature on your application and completed ballot are cross-checked by two people (one from each party) to verify it is you.

September 6-Oct. 25, 2013

Last Day to Register to Vote (pick up forms at your local public library or most county wide offices)

Monday, October 7, 2013

First Day of Early Voting Avoid the Election Day lines! Check out your County Clerk's website for location of polls (www.HarrisVotes.com) You can vote at any of these polls! How convenient! Just bring your photo ID.

Monday, October 21 - Friday, November 1, 2013

ELECTION DAYVote at the precinct location near your house (or the address you used where you registered to vote). Again, check the website to see where your polling location is. www.HarrisVotes.com www.FortBendvotes.com

November 5, 2013 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Don't forget, any voter standing in line by 7pm can vote.

NOW HIRING: Election Clerks
As always, elections don't happen in a vacuum. People make it happen. Sign-up to be an election poll worker at any of the polls in your county. It's a paid position but also a feeling of performing a civic duty. High school students (age 16 and up) can also work on Election Day! Contact your local County Clerk's Office (the office in charge with organizing elections in that county).

Juneteenth - History in the Making

*** UPDATE: 3rd Annual Acres Homes Juneteenth Parade will be on Saturday, June 22, beginning at 10:00 a.m.  The Parade will start at the Acres Homes Multiservice Center, 6719 W. Montgomery, head north on W. Montgomery, turn left on Dolly Wright and then end at Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1620 Dolly Wright. The parade route is approximately 1. 4 miles and the majority of the route will be along West Montgomery which will be closed during the duration of the parade. You don’t want to miss it! Come out and join us and e-mail me at: cindy@rogenecalvert.com 

Juneteenth. June 19th. The day that slaves in Texas found out they were freed....two and half years after Pres. Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

Slow, how news traveled back then. Or maybe deliberately so, considering nowadays a young maverick can bike across the U.S. in a matter of months and a horse and station wagon back then could have delivered the news earlier.

Today, I'm proud to be celebrating the achievements of communities across the U.S. After a long fought battle for civil rights, more public officials are running for office that reflect the diversity of this great nation. I do hope we elect more females into office, especially since they make up over half of the U.S. population!

So walking in last weekend's Juneteenth Parade to Emancipation Park (the first public park in the state of Texas) meant a lot to me.

1. The history of the U.S. is so unique and I'm a proponent of human rights and cross-racial collaborations. As one of the few (i.e. one of three) Asian Americans in the parade, I felt like all communities should recognize and celebrate Juneteenth, the inception of freedom for all Texans.

 

 

 

 

2. Walking in 100 degree heat, cheering "Vote for..." "ROGENE!", and bringing two of my friends to volunteer tested my commitment to this campaign. Drenched in sweat by the end of the 12 block walk, I could only reflect on the whole spectrum of what it means to be working on a political campaign. One day, you're researching organizations, writing memos, and prepping the candidate for interviews. The next, you're in t-shirts and shorts and bringing out the "inner cheerleader" in you. 

 

May Juneteenth inspire you to strive for greatness...with liberty and justice for all.