According to an article from Civic Engine by Ballot Ready, recent studies show that despite a 61.3% Increase in voter turnout from youth age 18-24 in the 2020 elections, just under half of all eligible voters are still not making their voices heard. So, why are youth consistently being outvoted by their elders? A lack of registration and information remains a primary obstacle; however, youth also face a lack of time, financial security to take off work, and access to civics education.

These barriers can be heightened in local elections, for which early voting across Texas began this Monday October 18th. Election Day is November 2nd. For more on what’s on your ballot – including vital school board races and constitutional amendments – check out guides from our friends at MOVE Texas and the League of Women Voters.

Students, families, and teachers are already experiencing the damage from classroom censorship law HB 3979, as Katy ISD and Spring Branch ISD have recently made headlines for banning books.

In Southlake, Texas, the Carroll ISD school board reprimanded a fourth grade teacher for keeping a copy of This Book is Anti-Racist in her classroom and shared guidelines for class books based on language from HB 3979. A school administrator later directly (and incorrectly) referenced HB 3979 to suggest that teachers should have books with an “opposing” perspective of the Holocaust in their classrooms. The district later clarified that “there are not two sides of the Holocaust” and the administrator’s comments do not reflect district policy.