Updated Action Planner! On Time For Democracy

Posted August 3rd, 2007 by Brooke

The only sure bulwark of continuing liberty is a government strong enough to protect the interests of the people, and a people strong enough and well enough informed to maintain its sovereign control over the government.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt
Democracy doesn’t just happen. It requires the involvement of the people to keep it going; and that’s every one of us. Our government belongs to everyone. It is affected and directed not by the richest people, or the loudest people, or even the smartest people, but to the people who show up and participate.

Effective citizenship participation isn’t rocket science. But it does take a little know-how when it comes to the cyclical nature of politics and policy. Do a little research and you will see that the biennial calendar is an ebb and flow of important dates that are prime opportunities for you to get involved. If you miss one, roll up your sleeves and get ready to grab the next opportunity as it comes your way.

Project At-A-Glance

  1. Familiarize yourself with important dates in the Texas biennial calendar below
  2. Decide what opportunities and activities you will pursue individually and with your group or congregation. Some examples include a voter registration drive, issue forum, or legislative visit campaign.
  3. Synchronize your plans with other important calendars: personal, school, work, congregational, etc.Iron out conflicts ahead of time and start early enough to accomplish your goals.

Never Too Late
Even though the 24-hour news networks would have us believe we are on constant ‘election watch’, the key to active participation in the political process requires more than being conversant in the issues du jour or knowing the names of the candidates. Like any other pursuit, you will be more successful if you plan ahead, set goals, and work as a team. Start early and know your important dates, then you can put plans in motion so that your projects are both doable and effective. And, you won’t feel overwhelmed!

Once you get into the groove, you’ll see that, like the liturgical year, there is no start or end date. There are periods that look and feel like “Ordinary Time” and others that are more like “Feast Days.” Because it’s a cycle, you are never behind. You can always jump in wherever you are and get to work. If you miss the chance to hold a voter registration drive at your congregation in time for the primaries, plan one for the general election. If you didn’t hold the candidate forum you had hoped to, invite your newly elected officials to a holiday meal instead.
Turn, Turn, Turn
Texas government works in two-year cycles with clearly defined seasons. Once every two years we have campaign season and elections, and then for five short, intense months our Legislature meets in Austin. Excluding local elections and the odd special legislative session, that’s basically it.

This planner shows the calendar cycle from August 2007 through June 2009. It’s meant to help you identify action opportunities from now through the 2009 Legislative Session Savvy citizens know you can’t wait until legislators convene in Austin if you really want to be heard. Reassert yourself at every turn of the calendar, and come January 2009 you will be a familiar face to legislators and their staffs alike.

Use this planner to plan your events far enough out so you can make the most of everyone’s efforts. By taking the long view, you should be able to calendar your events with your congregation or group, assemble your team, and make the most impact. Remember these tips and you will go far: plan, start early, stay late.

As you go forward making your plans, keep in mind the following points.
Mentorship is Mandatory
If it’s not your first time to this rodeo and you feel pretty “F.I.T.” yourself, then it’s time to share your knowledge with others. The pursuit of a stronger democracy has its own rewards, above and beyond this election cycle.

For those just starting out and getting involved for the first time, having a mentor to help them through the scary parts-- submitting a letter-to-the-editor or making a first-time lobby visit—could make the difference between staying in the game or heading back to the spectator seats. Help bring others along; Mentorship is mandatory.

Democracy All Year Long
The 2007-08 election cycle will be a key time in Texas and in our nation. In addition to a wide-open presidential election at the top of the ballot, every member of the Texas House will be elected to a two-year term. Electoral activity will be intense and it will require discipline to keep the conversation on issues instead of party politics. Issues that are raised in these elections will be on the front burner in the 81st Legislative Session and likely will inform policy at the national level for years to come. People of faith can take this valuable opportunity to be part of the conversation that sets the agenda. You can be a part of the action when you…
…discuss vital issues like health care, poverty, and global warming with your friends, family, and community

…build relationships with current elected official and candidates and share with them your hopes and concerns for your local community and for Texas
…build strong networks with other faith communities and individuals so you can work together to influence issues you all care about
…teach everyone in your faith community about why we should be active citizens and how to take steps to Get F.I.T.


On Time For Democracy

CALENDAR

Key Election Dates

(in Chronological Order)

September 5, 2007 Last Day to file for Place on General Election Ballot (for political subdivisions ONLY)

September 7, 2007 First Day to Apply for a Ballot by Mail

October 9, 2007 Last Day to Register to Vote

October 22, 2007 First Day of Early Voting

October 30, 2007 Last Day to Apply for a Ballot by Mail

November 2, 2007 Last Day of Early Voting

November 6, 2007 Election Day

December 3, 2007 First Day to File for Place on Ballot

January 2, 2008 Last Day to File for a Place on Ballot

January 4, 2007 First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail

February 4, 2008 Last Day to Register to Vote in the Primary Election

February 19, 2008 First Day of Early Voting

February 26, 2008 Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (received not postmarked)

February 29, 2008 Last Day of Early Voting

March 4, 2008 Primary Election Day

February 8, 2008 First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (if did not request runoff ballot on primary ballot)

March 10, 2008 Last Day to Register to Vote

March 31, 2008 First Day of Early Voting

April 1, 2008 Last Day to Apply for a Ballot by Mail (received not postmarked)

April 4, 2008 Last Day of Early Voting

April 8, 2008 Primary Runoff Day

February 9, 2008 First Day to File for Place on Ballot

March 10, 2008 Last Day to File for a Place on Ballot

March 11, 2008 First Day to apply for Ballot by Mail

April 10, 2008 Last Day to Register to Vote

April 28, 2007 First Day of Early Voting

May 2, 2008 Last Day to Apply for a Ballot by Mail

May 6, 2008 First Day of Early Voting

May 10, 2008 Election Day

July 27, 2008 First Day to File for a Place on Ballot

August 26, 2008 Last Day to File for Place on General Election Ballot (for local political subdivisions only) –

September 5, 2008 First Day to Apply for a Ballot by Mail

October 6, 2008 Last Day to Register to Vote

October 20, 2008 First Day of Early Voting

October 28, 2008 Last Day to Apply for a Ballot by Mail

October 31, 2008 Last Day of Early Voting

November 4, 2008 General Election

Key Election Dates

(Grouped by Election Events)

Key Dates: November 6, 2007 -- Uniform Election Day

  • Last Day to file for Place on General Election Ballot (for political subdivisions ONLY) - September 5, 2007
  • First Day to Apply for a Ballot by Mail – September 7, 2007
  • Last Day to Register to Vote - October 9, 2007 (October 7th is 30th day, but deadline moves to next business day, Tuesday due to Columbus Day)
  • First Day of Early Voting - October 22, 2007 (17th day before election day falls on a Saturday, first day moves to next business day)
  • Last Day to Apply for a Ballot by Mail —October 30, 2007
  • Last Day of Early Voting – November 2, 2007
  • Election Day -- November 6, 2007 -- To read the ballot listing, click here.

Key Dates: March 4, 2008 – Primary Election Date

  • First Day to File for Place on Ballot – December 3, 2007 (October 4, 2007 for Precinct Chair)
  • Last Day to File for a Place on Ballot – January 2, 2008
  • First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail – January 4, 2007
  • Last Day to Register to Vote in the Primary Election – February 4, 2008
  • First Day of Early Voting – February 19, 2008
  • Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (received not postmarked) – February 26, 2008
  • Last Day of Early Voting – February 29, 2008
  • Primary Election Day - March 4, 2008 (First Tuesday in March)


Key Dates: April 8, 2007 – Primary Runoff Election

  • First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail -- February 8, 2008 (if did not request runoff ballot on primary ballot)
  • Last Day to Register to Vote – March 10, 2008
  • First Day of Early Voting – March 31, 2008
  • Last Day to Apply for a Ballot by Mail (received not postmarked) – April 1, 2008
  • Last Day of Early Voting – April 4, 2008
  • Primary Runoff Day - April 8, 2008 (second Tuesday in April)

May 10, 2008 – Uniform Election Date

  • First Day to File for Place on Ballot – February 9, 2008
  • Last Day to File for a Place on Ballot – March 10, 2008
  • First Day to apply for Ballot by Mail – March 11, 2008
  • Last Day to Register to Vote – April 10, 2008
  • First Day of Early Voting – April 28, 2007
  • Last Day to Apply for a Ballot by Mail – May 2, 2008
  • First Day of Early Voting – May 6, 2008
  • Election Day -- May 10, 2008

Key Dates: November 4, 2008 – Uniform Election Date

  • First Day to File for a Place on Ballot – July 27, 2008
  • Last Day to File for Place on General Election Ballot (for local political subdivisions only) – August 26, 2008
  • First Day to Apply for a Ballot by Mail – September 5, 2008
  • Last Day to Register to Vote – October 6, 2008
  • First Day of Early Voting – October 20, 2008
  • Last Day to Apply for a Ballot by Mail – October 28, 2008
  • Last Day of Early Voting – October 31, 2008