All Utah registered voters have now received their ballots in their mail. It's crucial for all Utahns to recognize the power of their vote and how it shapes the future of our state. Voting matters and your participation can influence critical decisions on issues that impact your community, family, and schools. With election day less than three weeks away, it is time to take action ensuring your vote counts! Your ballot must be postmarked on or before November 4th. You can also drop off your ballot at your county clerk’s office, a polling location, or a voting drop box by 8:00 pm on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5th. To find a list of drop box locations for your area, visit VoteSearchUtah.

If you prefer to vote in-person at your local polling place, you can find your designated location by visiting VoteSearchUtah, enter your address, and click on the tab, “Vote on Election Day”. The polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5th. Please note that if you are going in-person, you will need appropriate form(s) of identification. To find a list of options, visit VoterID Requirements.

If you aren’t familiar with the candidates on your ballot, you can visit Vote Utah, type in your address, and view your candidates’ biographies. Vote for strong advocates of public education! This election is not just about choosing leaders, but also making sure those in office reflect the priorities and needs of the people they represent. In a state like Utah, where community values run deep, your vote can help uphold the principles that matter most to you. We encourage you to take time to educate yourself on the issues and candidates, especially their views on matters that impact our schools. Together we can show what Utahns’ truly value and how we want to shape our future.

Other ways you can help:

• Join us: Follow Education First on Facebook, X and Instagram to learn how you can empower Utah’s education system!

• Use your voice: Share our message on your platforms and within your networks. Use your influence to inform others about education policy!

• Spread the word: Forward this email to your family, friends and co-workers and invite them to subscribe to Education First’s weekly policy updates on educationfirstutah.org/join.

  
  

Join us as we make education Utah’s top priority!

As Utahn’s, we often talk about how much we value local control. We contend, for instance, that locally elected school board officials who actually live in the community are best positioned to make good decisions for the schools which they serve. Yet, over the last several years, there has been a lack of coordination with local school boards to empower them in making the decisions that are best for students.

Several bills from the 2024 legislative session seem to overlook or diminish the importance of local control. For example, HB119 (School Employee Firearm Possession Amendments) which outlines training for teachers to carry weapons in schools, is a matter for a local school board. Or, SB173 (Market Informed Compensation for Teachers) that provides salary incentives for high performing teachers—which carries a whopping $150 million price tag! Superintendents and local school board members were given very little input, yet both bills were signed into law. All too often, limited collaboration yields limited results.

We should always remember that there are different levels of governing authority and each is vital for a successful society. Locally elected school boards are the legal authority charged with making and implementing policies for the day-to-day operation of schools. These locally elected school board members understand best how to meet the unique needs of their students and the families they serve. The Utah State Board of Education is responsible for dispersing funding for public education, licensing schools and teachers, and setting policies for instruction and assessment. The state legislature is responsible for building the state budget, identifying common, statewide concerns, and generating collaborative solutions. Each governing body is critical; however, one should not assume the role of another.

We need all three entities, local and state school boards, as well as the state legislature to work together to maximize the effectiveness of our education system. This includes trusting the other to do their job, while engaging in productive collaboration. This is the approach that will yield the best policies and practices for Utah’s educators, students, and families.

Get involved:

• Join us: Follow Education First on Facebook, X and Instagram to learn how you can empower Utah’s education system!

• Use your voice: Share our message on your platforms and within your networks. Use your influence to inform others about education policy!

• Spread the word: Forward this email to your family, friends and co-workers and invite them to subscribe to Education First’s weekly policy updates on educationfirstutah.org/join.

  
  

Join us as we make education Utah’s top priority!

With less than a week until Election Day 2024, now is the time to cast your ballot if you haven’t already. This year’s ballot includes numerous critical positions and issues that need your voice. By exercising your right to vote, you express your values and beliefs, and even if your chosen candidate doesn’t win, your vote still serves as a clear statement of your support or disapproval of the current direction of your community.

If you’ve felt overwhelmed by the number of contests and issues on this year’s ballot, remember there are helpful resources to guide you. For candidates you’re unfamiliar with, you can visit Vote Utah, enter your address, and review candidate biographies. For judicial retention, the Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee provides evaluation summaries, commission votes, and survey insights, offering valuable context for your vote.

If you still have questions after reviewing these resources, consider reaching out to educators or community leaders for additional perspectives, especially regarding key local and state school board elections, which can impact the future of education. Also, note that Constitutional Amendments A and D will not be counted, so you can save time by skipping those items.

Ensure your vote is counted by mailing in your ballot by November 4th or voting in person at a polling place on November 5th. Thank you for taking the time to be an informed voter and supporting the candidates and issues you believe in. And remember it’s not too early to be thinking about the next election cycle and considering running for office yourself, encouraging people you know who would serve well, or just staying informed of the issues facing education between cycles. We need strong advocates to ensure a quality education system for our children.

Get involved:

• Join us: Follow Education First on Facebook, X and Instagram to learn how you can empower Utah’s education system!

• Use your voice: Share our message on your platforms and within your networks. Use your influence to inform others about education policy!

• Spread the word: Forward this email to your family, friends and co-workers and invite them to subscribe to Education First’s weekly policy updates on educationfirstutah.org/join.

  
  

Join us as we make education Utah’s top priority!