NONPARTISAN ELECTION MATERIAL VOTERS GUIDE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF HOUSTON EDUCATION FUND MARCH 3, 2020 • PRIMARY ELECTION • POLLS OPEN 7AM TO 7PM WISH YOU WERE READING THINGS VOTERS THIS IN CHINESE, SPANISH #COUNTMEIN OR VIETNAMESE? US, TOO! 2020 CENSUS GO TO PAGE 20 TO LEARN SHOULDKNOW HOW YOU CAN HELP MAKE IT NEW FOR ELECTION DAY: CAST YOUR BALLOT AT ANY HARRIS COUNTY POLLING HAPPEN. LOCATION. If you plan to cast your ballot in person on Election Day, you can vote at your local polling place in the precinct where you are registered or at ANY Harris County polling location. BE SURE TO COMPLETE AND SUBMIT NDEX There are more than 750 polling places located throughout Harris County. Choose the Election Day YOUR CENSUS FORM. THE 2020 I polling location most convenient for you! CENSUS COUNTS. SO DO YOU!!! Races in Italics Will Appear on All Ballots. For more information see page 44, phone 713-755-6965 or visit www.harrisvotes.com. Census data will help shape the political Other races are voter specific and will vary. See page 4 to learn how to access your specific ballot. power, representation in Congress and PHOTO ID IS REQUIRED TO VOTE IN PERSON IN ALL TEXAS ELECTIONS funding for education, transportation, DEMOCRATIC PARTY Those voting in person, whether voting early or on Election Day, will be required to present a photo healthcare, and shape the future of our President........................................................5 identification or an alternative identification allowed by law. Please see page 2 of this Voters Guide for community for the next decade. United States Senator.........................................................5 additional information. What is the census? United States Representative................................ 7 Railroad Commissioner...................................................10 The census is a self-portrait of the Chief Justice, Texas Supreme Court...........................10 PRIMARY ELECTIONS IN TEXAS nation. The U.S. Constitution requires Justice, Texas Supreme Court.....................................11 In Texas, Democratic and Republican parties conduct Primary Elections to select nominees for the the federal government count everyone Judge, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals................12 General Election in November. If you want to vote in the Primary Election you must choose one party. living in the country every 10 years. The State Board of Education.....................................13 Your vote will help determine your party’s candidates. However, in the November 3, 2020 General State Senator.......................................................13 tally must include people of all ages, State Representative........................................14 Election, you may vote for any candidate of any party in any race. races, and ethnic groups; all citizens and Chief Justice...................................................................18 non-citizens. Every household should Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District 1..................19 EARLY VOTING complete a census form (either online, District Judge.....................................................................21 or by mail or phone). Participating in the Judge - County Civil Court At Law.........................24 Early voting will begin on Tuesday, February, 18, 2020 and end on Friday, February, 28, 2020. See page 44 District Attorney.............................................................25 of this Voters Guide for locations and times. Any registered Harris County voter may cast an early ballot at census is our right and responsibility. County Attorney..............................................................25 any early voting location in Harris County. Sheriff.............................................................................26 OUR THANKS OUR PARTNERS AND County Tax Assessor-Collector..................................26 County School Trustee.......................................27 VOTING BY MAIL VOLUNTEERS County Commissioner........................................28 Voters may cast mail ballots if they are at least 65 years old, if they will be out of Harris County during the The League of Women Voters of Justice of the Peace............................................29 Early Voting period and on Election Day, if they are sick or disabled or if they are incarcerated but eligible Houston wishes to thank the League Ballot Issues..................................................................30 to vote. Mail ballots may be requested by visiting www.harrisvotes.com or by phoning 713-755-6965. A of Women Voters of Texas, our state signed paper copy of your ballot by mail request must be received no later than Friday, February 21, 2020. organization, for providing information REPUBLICAN PARTY Requests received by fax or email will not be honored. For more information see page 3 of this Voters Guide. about candidates for statewide office President......................................................31 running in opposed races. We also United States Senator.......................................................31 wish to thank all those who support our United States Representative .............................32 Should you encounter any problems at the poll, you may always ask to cast a Provisional Ballot. You voter education and voter service work Railroad Commissioner...................................................35 may also contact the County Clerk’s office at 713-755-6965, the Texas Secretary of State Election Division Chief Justice, Texas Supreme Court...........................35 through their donations, volunteer time, Justice, Texas Supreme Court.....................................36 at 1-800-252-8683, or the United States Department of Justice at 1-800-253-3931 if you believe that your and community partnership. Without Judge, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals................36 right to vote is being unlawfully denied or impeded. them this Voters Guide would not be State Board of Education.....................................36 possible. State Senator..................................................36 State Representative........................................37 Chief Justice...................................................................38 Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District 1..................39 ABOUT THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS AND THIS VOTERS GUIDE District Judge.............................................................39 Harris County District Attorney................................40 Judge - County Civil Court At Law.......................40 The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization. The League where there is more than one candidate running. This Voters Guide only Judge, County Criminal Court At Law................40 of Women Voters and the League of Women Voters Education Fund do covers races that will be decided by the Primary Election process. Currently County Attorney.............................................................40 County Sheriff................................................................40 not support or oppose any political party or candidate. For 100 years, only the Democratic and Republican Parties use the Primary Election County Tax Assessor-Collector...................................41 the League’s mission has been to support active and informed citizen process to choose their candidates for the November General Election. County School Trustee.......................................41 participation in government. The League believes that voting is a vital part The responses provided by candidates are reproduced without editing or County Commissioner........................................41 Justice of the Peace...........................................42 of Making Democracy Work. verification. Each candidate is personally and solely responsible for the Harris County Party Chair.................................42 The League of Women Voters of Houston Education Fund publishes the content of his/her response. Candidates are listed in the order in which they Ballot Issues..................................................................43 Voters Guide to help each voter cast an informed vote. Inside you will find will appear on the ballot. GENERAL INFORMATION information about the voting process, the duties and responsibilities of the No portion of this Voters Guide may be reproduced for use in political Voter Information.......................................2-4,44 offices that are included in this election, the names of candidates who are campaigns or advertising. Other proposed uses are permitted only with How to Access Your Specific Ballot.....................4 seeking to become their party’s nominees in the General Election and the advance written authorization of the League of Women Voters of Houston Voting for Judges in Texas..................................4 Early Voting Locations / Schedule.....................44 responses to selected policy questions provided by candidates in races Education Fund. LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF HOUSTON EDUCATION FUND | MARCH 3, 2020 VOTERS GUIDE | WWW.LWVHOUSTON.ORG 1 VOTING IN PERSON? YOU MUST BRING ONE OF THESE PHOTO IDs With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, the identification must be current or, for voters aged 18-69, have expired no more than 4 years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place. A person 70 years of age or older may use a form of identification listed below that has expired if the identification is otherwise valid.