The U.S. Constitution begins with the Preamble, “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

It is now time for all U.S. citizens to be heard as We are the People. The way for us to be heard is to VOTE. Voting is so important that Congress extended the right to vote regardless of race, color or previous servitude with ratification of the 15th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution in 1870. Congress further expanded the right to vote regardless of sex when it gave women the right to vote with the 19th Amendment in 1920.

Voting is not just a right, it’s a duty and a privilege of U.S. citizens. We call on all U.S. citizens to vote on November 6, or you can vote earlier depending on when early voting begins in your state. In Texas, early voting begins on Monday, October 22, and ends on Friday, November 2.

If you are unsure where to vote in Texas, you can go to https://www.bing.com/search?q=voting+ballot+by+zip+code&FORM=QSRE1 and input your zip code to find your polling place. If you would like more information on voting in Texas, including on required identification for voting in person or voting by absentee ballot, go to https://www.bing.com/search?q=early+voting+in+texas&form=DLRDF8&pc=MDDR&src=IE-SearchBox.

If you are not yet a U.S. citizen, then we encourage lawful permanent residents to apply if and when you are eligible for naturalization to become a U.S. citizen. For general information on whether you are eligible, you can go to https://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/citizenship-through-naturalization. You also can contact a Foster immigration attorney for a consultation or to assist you with the process.

If you are a U.S. citizen eligible to vote, then DO VOTE on November 6. If November 6 is not a good day for you, then you can vote earlier. In Texas, early voting is from October 22 through November 2. You may also be able to vote by absentee ballot. Each vote really does count. It is time again for us to be heard though our votes.