In 2021, the Texas Legislature passed SB 1 which changed a lot of the rules regarding voting. One change which impacted those 65 years of age and older is that if a voter wants to vote by mail in every election, they must apply annually. Those wishing to vote by mail no longer automatically get a ballot for every election, year after year after first applying. Instead, voters must remember to apply every year.
Although this law has now been in effect for three years, many people are unaware of the change and do not know where to get an application. Beginning in February, the League made a concerted effort to educate seniors of the change in the law. The League first went to the City’s Comprehensive Senior Centers that serve hundreds of seniors everyday across the city. Once all 11 Senior Centers were visited, presentations were then made at churches, senior apartments and smaller neighborhood senior centers. At each location, volunteers took vote by mail applications and talked about the application process and properly returning the ballot.
Over the last nine months, volunteers have talked with over 900 seniors. The Senior project will end its work for the November election by distributing over 3,000 English and Spanish Voters Guides to the sites the League visited during 2024.
The League’s efforts were greatly appreciated by the seniors we spoke with and the kind staff that serve them everyday. We hope that you will join other volunteers in 2025 as the League continues to serve senior communities across San Antonio.
Volunteers pictured left to right are: Yvonne Mingus Denmark, Jan Olsen and Tess Bobo