Voting shouldn’t be difficult
Improve the election system
Regarding “Fate of what’s left of Voting Rights Act in hands of high court,” (A4, March 1): Election integrity is important to me. Our right to vote is what protects our freedom. Voters must be able easily to vote and to trust in the integrity of our election system. Texas lags far behind other states in making improvements to the election system.
It is past time for our Texas legislators to support legislation that will ensure a safe, secure and more accurate voting experience. Voting should not be difficult and should be fair.
In particular, it is time for an electronic voter registration system that can be tracked and easily updated, a stronger ballot-by-mail process including simplified forms, required ballot tracking and expanded times and places for hand-delivery.
We need to vote efficiently and to be sure our votes count. County election officials are dedicated to fair elections and they need our support. Please urge your legislators to vote for meaningful improvements to our election system.
Vickie Longwill, Houston
Enron rerun
Regarding “Why doesn't Texas have a ‘rainy day' reserve for electricity?” (Feb. 28): I guess Texas learned nothing from Enron. Deregulated power comes home to roost. I feel sorry for my former neighbors as I lived in Texas for almost 20 years and still have many friends there. Maybe the politicians in Texas will now pay more attention to their own problems than trying to get involved in elections in other states.
Dan Mackaben, Lawrenceville, Ga.
Vaccinate teachers now
We must vaccinate our teachers! Virtually everyone agrees that in-person teaching is the most effective form of educating children. The COVID-19 pandemic has substantially disrupted in-person teaching, and our children’s educational progress is suffering. Children are falling behind, and no group is affected more than children from poverty and those of color.
Effective COVID vaccines are increasingly available, and teachers and others who are essential for schools to operate should be prioritized to get vaccinated. When teachers and other essential school personnel are vaccinated, teachers’ fears of acquiring COVID should be reduced to the extent there should be no good reason we should not have full in-person teaching. The education of our children will greatly benefit.
Inoculating teachers and school personnel will have another significant benefit people do not focus upon — it will be a big step toward normalcy, and it will stimulate the economy by freeing parents from child care and schooling at home. Parents can then more fully engage in their jobs and participate in other meaningful activities that stimulate the economy and aid society. For example, volunteers are needed to help the medical community administer COVID vaccines.
Kelly Frels, Houston