STANDING TOGETHER AGAINST VOTER SUPPRESSION

 We firmly believe that public education is the cornerstone of democracy, serving as a public good from which we all benefit and as an essential pillar of a free government. Schools should aim to cultivate well-informed guardians of democracy, as true liberty requires educated citizens. Echoing Thomas Jefferson's belief, we stress the importance of rational inquiry based on evidence. This is crucial, as only through education can people learn to think independently, rather than having their opinions shaped by politicians who appeal to our emotions and prejudices.

 

However, we are deeply troubled by the actions of our current school board. We contend that they have been employing voter suppression tactics, strategically and purposefully diluting the voices of 30,000+ registered voters by only having one municipality represented. This has been happening for too long. In our eyes, this does not constitute a board that genuinely represents our community. A truly representative board would have every member elected on a single ballot through joint elections with Von Ormy, San Antonio, and Bexar County, not just the City of Lytle.

 

How can this board claim any credibility in educating the next generation of citizens in a free democracy when they themselves disregard the very ideals they are supposed to uphold?

 

Our first priority is to eliminate the voter suppression tactics utilized by the current school board. We promise the SWISD community that we will advocate for our school board elections to be held on the same ballot as San Antonio and Bexar County elections, rather than on a separate ballot. This change is crucial for making our elections more accessible and representative.

 

Our second priority is to advocate for a transition from at-large to single-member districts. This is essential for creating a school board that reflects the voices from every corner of our great district and represents the will and vision of all our community members.

 

Our last priority is to establish reasonable term limits for school board members. This is vital for encouraging fresh perspectives and ideas, promoting accountability, reducing corruption, enhancing democratic principles, and increasing diversity. Term limits prevent the concentration of power and make it less likely for board members to engage in unethical behavior.

 

Furthermore, we are committed to stopping the disenfranchisement  of our voters and putting an end to practices reminiscent of the Jim Crow era, which cherry-pick voters and undermine our democracy.

 

In summary, as advocates for our community, we seek to transform our school board into a body that truly represents and serves the interests of our entire community, fostering an environment where education serves as a beacon of democracy and freedom.

 

Yolanda Garza-Lopez

Peter “Pete” Bernal