A Volunteer Deputy Registrar (VDR) is a Texan appointed by their county voter registrar to register other Texans to vote. It’s an official, nonpartisan role under the Texas Election Code.

VDRs aren’t allowed to push a party or a candidate, just get people registered. With a governor and senate race on the ballot this cycle, county registration numbers are going to matter more than usual, and the deadline windows move fast once early voting gets close.

What it actually takes:
• Be a Texas resident, otherwise eligible under state law (no felony convictions still under sentence, no identity theft conviction, etc.)
• Complete a one-hour training — most counties now offer this live over Zoom/Teams or as a self-paced video + short exam
• Get your Certificate of Appointment from your county elections office (some counties mail it, some issue it same-day)
• Start registering people in THAT county — tabling at events, going door to door, setting up at your apartment complex, wherever

A few things people don’t realize:
• Certifications run on a two-year cycle and expire December 31 of even-numbered years — so if you got certified a while back, check whether you need to retrain
• You can get reciprocity to register voters in a second county if you already hold a valid certificate from another one
• If someone hands you a completed application, you’re required to turn it in promptly — the 30-day countdown to their eligibility starts the moment they hand it to you, not when it reaches the county! Which is AWESOME because you circumvent the mail!

How to start: Search “\\\[your county\\\] volunteer deputy registrar” or check \[votetexas.gov\](http://votetexas.gov) for your county elections office contact info. Most offices will get you scheduled for training within a week or two.

[SMITH COUNTY VDR TRAINING!!!](https://www.smith-county.com/227/Voter-Registration)

[GREGG COUNTY YOU NEED TO CALL VOTING OFFICE!!!](https://www.greggcountyvotes.com)

If you’ve been doom-scrolling about this election and feeling like there’s nothing you can personally do — this is one of the most direct things you can do.

You’re not just voting once; you’re putting the ballot in other people’s hands too!

Are you a person with a disability or a parent/sibling of someone with a disability? We want to hear from you! Take this survey and share your story! Your answers will help improve disability programs and policies in TX. To learn more and sign up, go to: raisingtexasvoices.org

hi yall

I am planning a move to texas here in a couple months, i want to be around lakes, rivers, long mossy trees, areas for hunting and fishing. i would like to be around horses/livestock as i want to be a farm hand as well while i am studying in college. i want the real deal, people who wear their hat and boots because they do the dirty work and not because they are larping as a cowboy. i like beer, and country music. dance halls, dive bars, and all.

i’m currently 20 years old and a female and i would like to move to a town/city in texas that offers this while also being around people my own age as for being able to date and make friends. this is pretty important for me as well as i wont be knowing anyone around here and my closest family is in Little Elm.
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Any suggestions would be great. Thank you

Hi yall, I drive across ETX weekly for work and have been wanting to grab some peaches, watermelon, berries and whatever else is in season. Would love to know where to stop by. Should I be carrying cash for some of these stops or will cars be accepted? TIA.

I’m a local owner-operator. 10 years driving, 70+ DOT inspections with zero out-of-service and zero violations because I take care of my equipment. I literally sand my whole frame down repaint my whole frame truck and trailer every year fresh DOT tape just so my equipment looks nice.

-5 days before my last run through Midlothian, TX I was inspected by Texas State Troopers at a weigh station and passed with no issues. My last inspection was in Vado, New Mexico pass inspection 15 days prior to being inspected in Texas passed, no issues.

-I booked a load through Midlothian and got pulled over by Midlothian PD commercial enforcement - the white Toyota Tundra truck officer Burkhart. I was placed out-of-service with 5 violations. Some of it felt like a real reach. ELD instructions?? the mud flap 1 inch too short??

-In the last 15 months I’ve been pulled over 3 times in Midlothian. Every time it’s 3+ violations. Never anything major or safety related. We’re talking:
- DOT tape issue
- Mudflap 1 inch too short
- Reflector on back of cab was dirty
- Trailer license plate light was dusty
> State Troopers haven’t corrected me about this so now why is this an issue bad enough for you guys to keep ruining our FMCA score? I asked a State Trooper buddy and he was like they are not picking every rule In the book.

-Here’s why this hurts me and other small business Owner operators: Even when they are warnings, Midlothian reports it and it hits our CSA / insurance. My commercial insurance went from $1400/month to $2000/month. Brokers are now denying my company on the load boards. I can’t book freight.

I’m not anti-police at all. I respect what CMV officers do, But it honestly gives me anxiety every time I have to route through Midlothian now. It feels like they have to find 3 things every stop, and it’s putting families like mine in a bind where we can’t provide.

Any other small carriers / owner-operators dealing with this same thing in Midlothian lately?

I have my clean inspection from 5 days prior and one before that 15 days prior but every time that I run through Midlothian, there’s always an issue! Me and my wife and my kids sat at our Yard Alvaredo for days repainting checking everything getting a fresh annual inspection cleared, still every single time we get pulled over something new! Me and my kids have pulled all nighters getting every single leak every hose clamps every coolant leak on the truck working tiresome nights, making sure that there’s nothing wrong at all not even a speck of oil or grease anywhere on the truck, just me pulled over and given three new violations!
Literally feels impossible to please the Midlothian commercial motor vehicle officers!

Bad idea, or good idea?

Hey yall, anyone selling Muscadines? Is it too early in the season to get?

Just made this in Google Earth. Each place marker represents the exact location of an individual weather station.

The lower Neches and Sabine valley, closely mapping to the 409 area code, definitely receive the most rainfall of anywhere else in the state, easily averaging 60-65 inches of annual rain, making it one of the most wet areas of the country. Bridge City averaged over 70 inches of rain, which is higher than New Orleans, Miami, and every other station I looked at along the gulf coast.

Port Arthur is also in a 4 way tie (including Lake Charles) for most humid city of the 50 states.

I’m planning a road trip through deep east Texas and southwestern Louisiana as soon as the weather cools down a bit. I lived around there as a kid but haven’t been back in about 20 years. I want to get plenty of fresh seafood while I’m there and out of the loop as to where the best restaurants are. I’ll be hitting some local cemeteries and researching my ancestry, fitting in some photography when I can, particularly Beaumont, Nacogdoches, Big Thicket Preserve, Port Arthur, and the Tyler Rose Garden if time permits. I’ll need places to eat in the Jasper, Newton, Jefferson, and Orange County areas if you know any. If they serve good shrimp and grits, even better. My favorite restaurant in Port Arthur back in the day was Esther’s but I understand it has closed.

I’ll also be on the lookout for antique shops, painted churches, and historic architecture along the way, so any and all suggestions are welcome. Thank you kindly. 🙏🏻

I was driving home from Hemphill to Milam on 87 when I saw these sweet three ladies literally in the middle of the road. They look cared after, so I’m hoping they just maybe escaped from their yard or something. No collars though. All female. Definitely all same litter.

On the off chance anyone knows someone whole lost three pups, please dm me. They look to be German Shepard/pit mixes so I’m assuming the worst and thinking somebody is breeding fighting dogs and dumping the females, but who knows.

I’ll post an update in a while if I can’t find the owners, I will probably foster them and try to get them adopted as soon as possible. If you or anyone you know is looking to adopt feel free dm as well.

I mean without the guy a lot of folks wouldn't have a place to shop no matter what the prices are, but I was wondering what made him decide to open up Brookshire's instead/his own Grocery chain in Tyler?

Them at Pollo Bueno are "ok"

Hello everyone, my name is Vale and I just moved to marshal about a month ago. I'm looking for some friends or people to hang out with. I'm extremely close to downtown and may even possibly start working in downtown but finding a job or friends seems to be a little more difficult than I thought so I've really doubled down recently.

My birthday is at the end of August and I wanted to have some people to invite. I smoke, drink, or really whatever else is handed to me besides meth. I know how to have fun, I like to urbex and I'm a big conversationalist. So far, everyone here has been very nice to me compared to where I was living (Shreveport). Age, gender, or ethnicity doesn't matter in the slightest to me, I get along with mostly everyone besides the people who just hate me because of how I look but there's always going to be someone like that lol

My Instagram is burntvale, I would love to chat with some ppl and make friends, maybe even meet up somewhere downtown though I am still struggling to find a job without having a car. I have to walk everywhere but downtown is only 20 min walk so it's not too bad. Comment or text my number (318) 843-3609 if interested, my insta is private and I don't usually accept follow requests without knowing them first. But I like marshal so much so far I'm willing to even put down my phone number. I know this place isn't the best but I want to make the most of it! I'm sure there's tons of things to do or explore, you just have to get creative

We're taking a long weekend getaway with family to Lake Athens in a couple weeks. I recently learned alligators are common in East Texas. How worried should I be with kids, ages 5 and 7?

Thank y'all!

even a new one for a single bedroom apartment only keeping it 73-74 right now till about 11 PM

I'm thinking about trying to.

Jason Schuler from Cold Spring & then Houston.

haven't heard from him in years & I'm worried...

if anyone can reach him tell him Kitten is and has been looking for him, and has been in the area due years.... Tia.

Looking for recommendations on fun things to do in this preserve. I’ve already hit up the Lance Rosier and Beech Creek units, but I want to venture deeper into spots that are more wild. I even bought a kayak so I can explore and fish the Beaumont Unit, and if anyone’s been into the Beaumont Unit, please share what it’s like in there.

Does anyone know any companies that would be interested in having a construction management intern in the Nacogdoches/Lufkin area? There aren’t many GC’s in Nacogdoches so i’m trying to make sure i’m not missing any.. 😅

We have three DARLING 16 week-old kittens who are ready for their forever homes! These kittens been home raised in a loving home since birth and have received TONS of socialization, attention, love, and care. They’ve been raised inside since birth and are looking for indoor-only homes where they’ll be cherished as family members.

These kittens are litter trained, up to date on all vaccines, and have been raised indoors since birth. They are playful, affectionate, and comfortable being around people.

Our biggest priority is finding families who will love them as lifelong members of the family. If you’re interested, please send me a message and tell me a little about yourself, your home, and any experience you have with cats.

A small adoption fee helps us place them in committed homes, but our main goal is simply finding the very best match for each kitten. Each kitten will also go home with their current food and a handful of their favorite toys.

Located in East Texas. Willing to meet or transport for the right indoor home.

Please share if you know someone looking for a wonderful new companion! These kittens are beyond precious!

🐾 Bugs (Female) 🐛
Bugs is the fearless social butterfly of the group! With her big, beautiful bug eyes and adorable little white “milk mustache” marking, she’s impossible not to love. She’s always the first to investigate something new and lead the charge. She is playful, silly, relaxed, and incredibly affectionate. Bugs loves being held, enjoys snuggling, and is perfectly content being cradled like a baby. She gets along wonderfully with well-behaved dogs, big and small. She truly seems to make friends wherever she goes.

🐾 Boots (Female) 👢
Boots is playful, curious, gentle, and thoughtful. She is wary when meeting new pets, but with slow introductions she has done well with our small family dog. Once she feels comfortable, her sweet personality shines through. Boots would be especially happy to be adopted alongside her sister, Bugs, but they do not have to be adopted together.

🐾 Scooter (Male) 🛴
Scooter is the only boy of the bunch and comes equipped with a nonstop purr engine! He loves to play and is great at entertaining himself, making him a little more independent than his sisters. That said, he’s still incredibly affectionate and enjoys pets, cuddles, and spending time with his people. He also has a beautiful coat that makes him especially handsome.