RGV PEOPLE WHO VOTE30%NO VOTE70%
Statistically, in the Rio Grande Valley, less than 30 percent of the population votes during the midterm elections. That percentage begins to significantly drop for local community elections. The idea of “my vote doesn’t matter” is something quite common among Valley residents. But in reality, midterm elections solely depend on voter turnout and the number of people who cast ballots. So yes, your vote does matter. And we need your vote now!
Midterm elections occur every two years, which is halfway between the presidential elections, which occur every four. During this time, all 435 seats of the House of Representatives are up for grabs. For the Senate, one-third of the seats are up for election, as they hold six-year terms.
This November election has a significant impact on political control and will for years to come. Specifically, in 2018, the Democrats are running to gain control of Congress against the Republicans who currently hold the majority. The outcome of these elections can determine the future of Donald Trump’s presidency and government agendas regarding issues like immigration, health care, and minimum wage. Whichever party controls the house basically controls the lawmaking system.
For years, the Valley has been known to have low voter turnout rates in local and presidential elections. Demographically speaking, the Valley is predominantly Hispanic, and data has shown that Hispanic adults are less likely to vote when compared to any other race. Texas itself is a melting pot of immigrants, with more than one-third of its population estimated to be undocumented, and thus, unable to vote.
Citizens of the Rio Grande Valley need to understand that their voice and vote matters. People who are unable to vote are counting on those who can to make use of their privilege. Nobody knows the Valley better than the people that live here. It is time for politicians in Austin and Washington to hear us and make border issues a top priority. The purpose of voting allows us, the people, to put representatives that have our best interests at heart in office. It is important to understand that you can’t expect things
to change if you don’t take part in the political atmosphere.
Robert “Beto” O’Rourke is an El Paso native running for senate in Texas against incumbent Ted Cruz. Cruz, who identifies as a Republican, has held the position since 2013. Recently, Cruz gained national attention when he deployed his campaign for U.S. Presidency during the 2016 election and that has been his vendetta ever since. I believe, he is more interested in creating his own agenda and gaining the national position, rather than focusing on the residents of Texas, especially the Valley. Not once has Ted Cruz taken the time to come down here and talk to the people of the Valley about how he could help them.
Beto, on the other hand, has visited all 254 counties in Texas and some more than two or three times. Just last week, Beto paid a visit to the Social Club in Edinburg, where more than 2,000 people showed up to show their support. During the visit, Beto promised and vowed to address the issues of the Rio Grande Valley. O’Rourke hopes to unite the thousands of families that have been separated on U.S. soil, grant citizenship to “Dreamers”, and welcome immigrants to our country. During his speech, he made it clear that everyone was welcomed, “If you’re a Republican, you’re in the right room. If you’re a Democrat, you’re in the right room. Independents, you’re welcome as well. The dude who was wearing the ‘Make America Great Again’ hat, he can come in too.” To Beto, the Valley feels almost like home. The issues he talks about here, are similar to those in his hometown of El Paso.
Beto knows that he can bet on the border to make a difference at the polls. In order to have a chance at winning the senate election this year, Beto needs to gain a record number voter turnout in an area notoriously known not to vote. His campaign strategy is simple: hold events, gain volunteers, phone bank, knock on doors, and get people to vote.
Block walking is a large component of the Beto For Senate campaign and is made up of students from UTRGV, paid workers, and volunteers of all ages. The purpose of block walking is to knock on doors of unlikely voters in areas of extremely low voter participation. Organizations like Cambio Texas, which was co-founded by Danny Diaz, is specifically aimed at increasing voter turnout in South Texas, increasing civic power awareness, and developing the next generation of progressive leaders by going out there in the communities, creating these connections, and teaching people about the importance of voting. Cambio is targeting 25 precincts in Hidalgo County alone.
Voters themselves are more likely to vote if they have a personal connection to an issue or an event which can happen through block walking events that Cambio holds weekly. Using Polis, a campaign voter database app, volunteers are able to target low-frequency voters in real time using a map and GPS system. The efforts underway to get Beto elected and the strong amount of support is what keeps him coming back to the Valley.
He stands for those who have been continuously ignored and have had their rights violated.
He strives to empower communities to gain political, social, and economic justice.
These are just some of the issues he stands for:
Beto can be trusted as a politician for the people because his campaign is funded by local donations and not by corporate bribes or PAC donations. His agenda is not being influenced by large companies, but rather by those who agree with his views. Ted, on the other hand, is controlled by corrupt corporations, lobbyists, and other bribe money. Cruz wants to abolish the U.S Education Department, withdraw from the Paris Accords, make oil and gas prices go up, and build the border wall. Beto hopes to challenge President Trump’s presidency and elect him out of office for the betterment of the country.
At the end of the day, whoever you decide to vote for is based on your decisions and personal views. But, Beto has made an effort to make his presence known. This persevering and devoted candidate has heads turning on what he could potentially bring to people here in the Valley.
Beto has shown the people of Texas that he cares about what we have to say and is determined to make a change. If he is elected, he has vowed to hold town halls so that we as voters can hold him accountable for the promises he made during his campaign. Beto is a down to earth, relatable, funny, hardworking politician who takes the time and effort to know his voters. We as a community have the power to get Beto elected to office. We as a community have the numbers to increase voter turnout. And we as a community can bring a brighter future to the Rio Grande Valley.
Voting truly matters and is a privilege not everyone has. So, don’t forget to register to vote by Tuesday, October 9, so that you can vote in this year’s midterm elections.
The deadline to register to vote
Election day is November 6.
