October 2010

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Vote November 2nd

Utah State Board of Education candidates respond to important education issues.

Information on public education issues.

What’s on my ballot?

Election candidates

Constitutional Amendments:

Amendment A

Amendment B

Amendment C

Amendment D

View Issues & Propositions By County

Sample ballot

Your polling place

Voter information pamphlet

Forward this blog to others in your address book, or post this blog for your friends on facebook and twitter. http://blog.utahnsforpublicschools.org/archives/2010/10/25/be-an-informed…her-voters-too/

“Democracy is not for the lazy, but instead requires engaged citizenship,” ~Jowers

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When is Election Day?
November 2

When the polls are open on Election Day?
Elections Polls open at 7am and close at 8pm.

How do I vote early?
Click here to find early voting locations for your county. Early voting begins on October 19th and ends on October 29th at 5:00PM. To vote early, you must be registered at least 30 days before the election. The locations and hours for early voting will be determined by the county clerk who will notify the residents of a county through the newspaper.

Where do I go to vote?
You can find your polling location by visiting http://vote.utah.gov/elections/location/

When do I register to vote?
Voter registration forms must be postmarked at least 30 days before an election in order to vote in that election. You may also register in-person at the county clerk’s office 15 days before the election; however you will not be eligible to vote early. You must send in a new registration form if you move, change your name, or wish to change your party affiliation.

How do I register to vote?
If you have a currently valid Utah driver’s license or ID card, you can register to vote online at https://secure.utah.gov/voterreg/index.html. A voter registration form can be found at http://elections.utah.gov/VoterRegistrationForm.pdf. Voter registration forms should be sent to your respective county clerk’s office. A list of addresses can be found on the last page of the voter registration form.

What are the requirements to register to vote?
A person must be at least 18 years-old, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Utah for 30 days.

Where can I find election results?
Election results will start being posted after the polls close on election night. You can find these at http://electionresults.utah.gov/xmlData/main.html.
Education is an important responsibility for elected officials at all levels, and thus an important area to consider in every election. Every member in society has an investment in a quality public education school system. Good schools lead to strong economies, better jobs, less crime, and many other positive social outcomes.

Public Schools:Are We Doing Enough?

In a recent report [Sept 2010],  Is School Funding Fair? A National Report Card, Utah receives an “A” for fairness in distribution of public education funds, but an “F” in effort. Effort is a state’s spending for education relative to its fiscal capacity. Is School Funding Fair? A National Report Card defines “Effort” as the ratio of state spending to state per-capita gross domestic product (GDP).

School Funding and Tax Policy Series Reports I-IV  highlight legislative policy changes that are responsible for Utah’s decline in Public Education funding effort. In addition, it is a warning that if these trends persist, they will continue to significantly limit funding to Public Education in the future.

School Funding and Tax Policy Report I
School Funding and Tax Policy Report II
School Funding and Tax Policy Report III
School Funding and Tax Policy Report IV

Of course, funding alone will not lead to better academic performance and outcomes for students. Funding also must be invested wisely, focusing on key areas such as quality instruction, strong curriculum, programs for struggling students, smaller class sizes in the early grades and other targeted subject areas. These and other research proven strategies will prepare students to assume the responsibility they’ll encounter and to succeed in today’s economy.

“Make Your Vote Count on November 2nd—Support the Candidate that Supports Your Neighborhood School!”

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Are your views being represented? 

If public education is going to be an important issue on our state agenda, there must be a strong base of people willing to learn about candidates, share information, and, most importantly, VOTE on Election Day.

Email candidates in your local area and ask them to respond to the following questions:

  •  What are your priorities for improving public education?
  • What responsibility does your elected office play in ensuring that public schools operate effectively and that children achieve?
  • What do you believe are the best ways to evaluate school and student performance?
  • What changes, if any, would you make to the existing public education funding structure?
  • Do you feel the current state school board selection process is the best option? If not, what process would you prefer? Direct elections like our local school board elections? Other?
  • Should state and local school boards remain nonpartisan? If not, why?

 

Find your current legislators along with your House and Senate District here. Once you know your District numbers, you can find all the candidates currently running for office in your area here.

Utah House of Representatives Candidates: here

Utah Senate Candidates: here

School Board Candidates: here

Who Makes the Decisions About Your Schools?

Who determines how your schools operate, how much money they receive and how it’s spent, what they teach, and what services they provide? Many people believe in “local control,” but the truth is much more complex.

“Take the time to learn, vote and act on behalf of our children’s future. Understand key issues and decisions that impact Utah’s education system, and make quality education a priority.”

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