Texas teachers' union volunteers needed to monitor elections

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Map of the state of Texas, showing portions of surrounding states
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(Texas News Service)
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Members of the American Federation of Teachers are participating in the political process by helping voters in the upcoming midterm elections.

Volunteers are being recruited to be "Democracy Defenders" in Texas and across the country.

Samantha Vogel, a middle school social studies teacher in San Antonio, said volunteers will work in their communities to ensure voters have the information they need leading up to and on Election Day.

"Support and protect ways that they can cast their ballots and ensure that every ballot is counted. One of the things we're encouraging people throughout our community to do is to vote early. It's harder to contest early votes," Vogel explained.

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Union members interested in participating should contact their local leaders to sign up. The teachers union is partnering with the AFL-CIO for the initiative. The organizations hope to assist 2 million voters during this election cycle.

The American Federation of Teachers is one of many organizations suing the Trump administration for plans to have police and ICE agents at polling places. Vogel added San Antonio residents are already on edge because of increased arrests outside federal immigration courts.

"We very much are seeing the fear from our students and from our community members, and we have experienced neighbors and family members being detained already. So we're making sure that people know what their rights are, where and when they can cast a ballot," Vogel noted.

She added volunteers will be at polling locations on Election Day to monitor the entire process.

"Greet people at the polls and share information, make sure everyone knows what rights they have as voters. Some of our members will be at polling sites as poll monitors and poll greeters. That's a nonpartisan way to ensure that everyone's voting rights are protected," Vogel underscored.