El Pasoans will choose who will help shape the future of two school districts Saturday in EPISD and SISD school board elections.
Ballots cast in El Paso s polling stations will carry extra weight in this election, where two school board elections will decide more than half the makeup of trustees on each board. There are 17 candidates competing for four seats in the EPISD race and 11 candidates vie for four seats in the SISD race.
Because EPISD uses a majority election system instead of plurality, the race could end in a runoff. In a majority vote, a candidate must win more than 50% of the total vote to win or the election goes to a runoff with the top two candidates. SISD uses a plurality vote.
The main issues
Most of the candidates who responded the Times questionnaire mentioned several key issues played a role in their decisions to run in this year s election.
Some candidates took issue with how districts handled the COVID-19 pandemic at its height in 2020. Others looked ahead at what can be done to address potential learning loss and gaps in education because of how districts transitioned to virtual instruction.
At EPISD, more than half of the candidates who responded to the questionnaire said the search for the district s next superintendent was a driving force to run for seats on the school board.
Crossroads Today I encourage all eligible Texans to set aside time
April 15, 2021 8:24 AM Jennifer Flores
AUSTIN, Texas – Ruth R. Hughs, Texas secretary of State, encouraged all eligible Texas voters to take advantage of the early voting period ahead of the May 1 election. The election begins on Monday, April 19 and ends on Tuesday, April 27. Texas voters will have the opportunity to cast ballots in county, local and political subdivision elections, including mayor, city council, school board, municipal utility districts and other local entities. Secretary Hughs urged voters to research the candidates and measures that will show on their ballot and to get ready to make their voices heard.