Austin, Texas — For some people today is Fat Tuesday, for others its Election Day, and for the more sophisticated person its Fat Election Tuesday. Today for the sophisticated Mardi Graser polls open Tuesday March 4th at 7 AM and close at 7 PM, leaving plenty of time to vote before the nighty party begins.
Voters can find their poll location by going to the following link: Find Poll Information
TDCJ Employees can get time off to go vote!!!!!
In accordance with TDCJ PD-49 Page 19:
"An employee shall be granted sufficient administrative leave to vote in statewide elections without any deduction in salary or leave time when the employee’s work schedule would disallow voting during off time.
If early voting or extended polling hours on Election Day offer an employee sufficient time to vote, the employee is not eligible for administrative leave."
While some people have no ideal who they are voting for, groups such as the non-partisan League of Women Voters have published a guide where state candidates have responded to question on what they stand for. See League of Women Voters Guide
For Texas correctional employees, the American Federal of State County Municipal Employees (Texas PEOPLE Action Committee) has organized a correctional employee voting endorsement block based on voting history regarding TDCJ workplace conditions, privatization of prison / retirement, increase in employee benefits, agency funding priorities, and legislative / judicial legal experience. Here is a list of the endorsements made by AFSCME PEOPLE Texas Action Committee:
Texas Senate:
District 15 Senator John Whitmire Democratic Primary (Harris County)
Texas House of Representatives:
District 18 John Otto Republican Primary (Counties: Walker, Liberty, San Jacinto)
District 1 George Lavendar Republic Primary (Counties: Bowie, Franklin, Lamar, Red River)
District 134 Rep. Sarah Davis Republic Primary (Harris County)
District 121 Rep. Joe Straus Republic Primary (Bexar County)
District 59 Rep. J.D. Sheffield Republic Primary (Counties: Erath, Comanche, McCulloch, Mills, Hamilton, Coryell, San Saba, Somerville)
District 71 Rep. Susan Davis Republic Primary (Counties: Anderson, Freestone, Hill, Navarro)
District 131 Rep. Alma Allen Democratic Primary (Harris County)
District 145 Rep. Carol Alvarado Democratic Primary (Harris County)
State District Judge
278th District Judge Hal Ridley Republic Primary (County: Walker, Madison, Leon)
Paid for by the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, 1625 L St., NW, Washington, DC, 20036. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. These candidates are not being endorsed or authorized by The Backgate or its staff.
From the Desk of BoBoTheBeaten:
ReplyDeleteThe agency will not let you off because of the following sentence in the policy.
"If early voting or extended polling hours on Election Day offer an employee sufficient time to vote, the employee is not eligible for administrative leave." Well, they might let you off, but you won't be able to claim administrative leave.
TDCJ engages in voter suppression. I wish Russia or Cuba would send monitors here to make sure we had free elections.
If you are unable to vote due to your work schedule, be sure to file a grievance... Bad administrators should receive the attention they need.
ReplyDelete