Voter Engagement at UTEP
Civic Engagement at UTEP
The Center for Community Engagement is deeply committed to empowering students by providing them with comprehensive information, tools, and resources to engage in various civic practices and activities effectively. The center strives to foster a culture of active participation and social responsibility among students, encouraging them to contribute to and positively impact their communities through meaningful civic engagement.
CCE Voter and Civic Participation Statement
The Center for Community Engagement at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is deeply committed to empowering students by providing them with comprehensive information, tools, and resources to engage in various civic practices and activities effectively. The center strives to foster a culture of active participation and social responsibility among students, encouraging them to contribute to and positively impact their communities through meaningful civic engagement.
CCE Student Civic Learning Objectives
- Participate in civic and voter outreach programs to develop an understanding of local election procedures and the electoral process.
- Identify on-campus resources to support and guide their interest in civic participation by engaging in departmental programs.
- Utilize social media and other online platforms to share information about local candidates, voter registration deadlines, and the importance of civic engagement.
- Attend public forums and town hall meetings to learn about community issues and connect with local leaders and organizations.
- Volunteer with community organizations that focus on voter registration, education, and advocacy to contribute to the democratic process actively.
Voting Information
eligibILITY TO VOTE IN TEXAS
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Must be a U.S. citizen: Non-citizens, including permanent residents, are not eligible to vote in any state or federal elections.
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Must be a resident of Texas: Texas should be your primary residence.
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Must be 18 years old or older by election day.
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You must be registered to vote in the state of Texas. You must be registered at least 30 days before the election.
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Some people who have mental disability may not be able to vote. Learn about your voting rights. Rules vary by state.
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If you have been convicted of a felony, you are eligible to vote after you have fully completed any parole or probation (in Texas)
What is Early Voting?
Early voting is the process of casting your ballot before the official election date.
Anyone who is registered can vote early! For some voters, this may be more convenient as lines are shorter compared to the official election day, and schedules and locations are flexible. Find your nearest early voting location .
The next Texas election will be on November 4th, 2025 ()
The last day to register to vote is October 6th
- Early voting begins October 20.
- Early voting ends October 31st
Early voting locations
Texas is a pioneer in early voting, having become the first U.S. state to offer in-person early voting in the 1980s. You may vote at any early voting location in your county of registration.
Find your nearest early voting location
UTEP will be an early voting location.
You can vote at the Union East building at 351 W. University Ave. 79968 in the Acacia 102A.
If you are a non-resident student, you may also vote by mail.
Eligibility Requirements
- Civically committed under ; or be sick or disabled;
- be out of the county on election day and during the period for early voting by personal appearance; or
- be expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day; or
- be confined in jail, but otherwise eligible.
How to vote by mail (INFO FROM: )
- Download the application and fill it out.
- Send your application to the El Paso County Elections Administrator by mail or email . (You can send your application as early as 60 days before an election).
- Once you receive your ballot, mark it, and mail it back to the El Paso County Elections Administrator.
- You have voted!
What is the ballot?
It is the official device used to cast votes in elections. It includes the different options of candidates and the offices they are running for. Ballots can look different depending on how you vote; It may be electronic or on paper. Understanding the ballot and reading carefully about the candidates running for office, as well as their proposals, and missions in our community, is a civic responsibility.
Fall election ballots will allow you to vote in local, judicial, state, and federal offices.
Check out a sample ballot. Click .
Voter guides are useful tools that provide key information to understand the ballot. Voter guides will help you understand:
- Background information on the candidates running for election. Including policy goals, their professional experiences.
- They list each candidate's stand on different community issues.
Find a voter guide, .
Examples of Elected Officials and their roles
Regional & Local Government:
Public Service Commission
Five elected Commissioners in an overlapping 6-year term
Ensures utility regulatory balance to provide customers with safe, adequate, and reliable service, at rates that are just, fair, and affordable.
State Government:
State Senator
- 4-year term (three-term limit)
- State senators create, debate, and vote on legislation that either makes new laws or changes existing ones.
- They function as representatives for constituents advocating for their needs within the state legislature
Federal Government:
U.S. Representative (Each Representative serves a specific congressional district within their state).
- 2-year term (No term limits)
- Represent their constituents’ needs and interests.
- Introduces bills and resolutions, offers amendments, and serves on committees.
- Power to start revenue bills, impeach federal officials, and elect the President in the case of an electoral college tie.
- Read more about the elected officials, .
STAYING ENGAGED
Be a poll worker and get paid!Duties of a poll worker
Setting up the poll location: Set up everything before voters come in.
Qualifying the voter;
Aiding voters with the voting process;
Aiding and managing the opening and closing of the election polls;
Maintain order amongst voters to ensure a quick and organized flow of people;
Protecting election integrity and impartiality when aiding voters and answering questions;
Be available to work on Election Day from 6:00 a.m. until approximately 8:00 p.m;
Obtaining results from the poll and following the right procedure to close the polling location.
To learn more and apply, click .
Visit these links to:
Learn about El Paso voting, .
Learn more about voting in Texas, .
Pledge to vote, .
Visit these organizations to learn about elections, democracy, and civic engagement:
- : Exists to eradicate the barriers between voters and the ballot box.
- : informs and engages with people in El Paso, Ciudad Juárez, and neighboring communities to create solutions-driven conversations about complex issues shaping our region.
- : Empower and advocate women of all ages, races, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and sexual and gender identities to achieve gender equality in all aspects of life.
- : a nonpartisan, nonprofit, grassroots organization working to build power in underrepresented youth communities through civic engagement, leadership development, and issue advocacy.
- : educates and empowers a new generation of Latinx voters and creates a more robust and inclusive democracy.
Activities to do
- Big Time – Attend a traditional celebration of Spring by local tribes, which offers education about local Indigenous tribes, dance performances, and speakers.
- Black Heritage Celebration – Celebrate Black culture in the United States of America during a multi-day event by listening to short talks, guest speakers, and poetry.
- Campus Cleanup Day – Help keep our campus beautiful by picking up debris on and around our campus community on specific days during the spring and fall semesters.
- Campus Safety Walk – Volunteer to walk with teams around campus to look for areas that may need to be repaired to increase safety, such as broken or dim lights, and unsafe walking paths to inform Facilities and Campus Safety of any issues.
- Constitution Day – Commemorate the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787. To celebrate, Campus Life and student clubs host interactive activities and hand out pocket-size constitutions to students during this celebration.
- Earth Day – Promote a sustainable future by learning about conservation, preservation, and how to minimize your carbon footprint at our multi-day event.
- Free Tax Preparation Day – Receive free tax preparation help during tax season.
- Know Your Rights Presentation – Learn about your constitutional rights and how to navigate the parameters of free speech on college campuses.
- Mes de Latinx – Celebrate Latinx histories, cultures, and contributions to the United States of America during a multi-day celebration that includes short talks, guest speakers, and poetry.
- People and Cultures Day – Foster world peace and promote understanding of different cultures and global issues.