Justice & ADVOCACY
We Believe in Change
We Believe In Change
The Austin Area Urban League connects with local businesses, corporate community leaders, and citizens who are working to build a stronger, more vibrant Austin.
Board members, staff, and volunteers from the Austin Area Urban League participate on various boards, commissions, and panels throughout Central Texas. This effort creates a network of professionals who express the need for political and social change, benefiting all individuals and creating a level playing field. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
"Every American has an equal right and responsibility to fully participate in our democracy and civic processes, and all people have a right to justice and fairness."
Our Platform
AAUL Advocacy effectively encompasses a broad range of activities including research, budget, legislative and policy analysis, community organizing & mobilizing, communication (in all forms), and civic engagement & education
Inclusive Advocacy
Advocacy involves engaging government officials, the media, community leaders, constituents (The People), civic groups, and others who care about and hope to influence the issue
Actionable Equity
Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiative focusing on advancing equity practices and policies in public and private entities/sectors
Education Reform
Education Equity via Equity and Excellence Project (EEP) in partnership with the National Urban League
Civic Engagement
- Voter Education/Registration (VER)
- Census Complete Count
Become a Changemaker: Build
Advocacy Skills with AAUL
Drafting messages, understanding local government structure and function and budget negotiation processes are just a few of the skills you can learn to be an effective advocate and make a difference for the issues and people you care about.
- Understand the issues
- Center Community Voice
- Build Relationships & Mobilize Others
- Take Action
- REPAA
Understand the Issues
Education plays an important role in learning what we need to know about the truth, cultural relevance, impact, and policies surrounding issues faced by marginalized or excluded groups and communities. By educating holistically, we can leverage this knowledge to create the change needed so community members are Healthy, Housed, Informed, and Safe.
Center Community Voice
The voices of community members facilitate an important role in understanding, pressing, and building long-lasting relationships based on trust. Centering the voices and experiences of community members enables us to collaborate equitably so the change created is by and for the people of Austin and Central Texas.
Build Relationships & Mobilize Others
Advocacy is a joint venture. We need allies. The chances for success are much greater when there are large numbers of organizations and people taking an informed position. Join our Social Action network to learn about upcoming events and opportunities to be involved.
Take Action
Informing and educating Austin and Central Texans about the issues community members face goes nowhere without concrete action to make equitable change a reality. We make sure you know all the ways individuals and groups can be involved, raise our voice, and create a better city where Austin and Central Texas community members are Healthy, Housed, Educated, and Safe.
REPAA
Research: The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. Evaluation: The making of a judgment about the amount, number, or value of something; assessment.
Policy: A rule, plan, course or principle of action adopted or proposed by a government, party, business, organization or individual.
Advocacy: Public support for or recommendation of a particular societal cause/solution or public issue.
Analysis: A detailed examination of anything complex in order to understand its nature or to determine its essential features.
Latest Activity
Storm URI Report
The vision of the Austin Area Urban League is an Austin/Central Texas that provides an Equitable Quality of Life opportunity for all its residents, in all aspects of life. The mission of the Austin Area Urban League is to provide tools to African Americans and under-served populations to build a foundation for social and economic equity and equality.
Important Election Dates
Tuesday, September 9, 2025: First day to file for a place on the Primary ballot for precinct chair candidates.
Saturday, November 8, 2025: First day to file for all other candidates for offices that are regularly scheduled to be on the Primary ballot; first day for independent candidates to file declaration of intent.
Monday, December 8, 2025 at 6:00 PM: Filing deadline for primary candidates; filing deadline for independent candidates to file declaration of intent.
Thursday, January 1, 2026 **First day to file does not move because of New Year’s Day holiday. An “Annual ABBM” or FPCA for a January or February 2026 election may be filed earlier, but not earlier than the 60th day before the date of the January or February election: First day to apply for a ballot by mail using Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM) or Federal Postcard Application (FPCA).
Monday, February 2, 2026: Last Day to Register to Vote
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 **First business day after President’s Day: First Day of Early Voting
Friday, February 20, 2026: Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked)
Friday, February 27, 2026: Last Day of Early Voting
Tuesday, March 3, 2026 (Election Day) at 7:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is not postmarked, OR Wednesday, March 4, 2026 (next business day after Election Day) at 5:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7:00 p.m. at the location of the election on Election Day (unless overseas or military voter deadlines apply)4: Last day to Receive Ballot by Mail
Local Non-County Political Subdivisions: (County-ordered elections may not be held on this date. County Election Official may, but is not required to, contract to provide election services to political subdivisions holding elections on this date.) – Authority Conducting Elections
Friday, May 2, 2025: Deadline to post candidate requirements5 Form 1-20
Monday, December 15, 2025: Deadline to Post Notice of Candidate Filing Deadline (Local Non-County Political Subdivisions Only)1
Thursday, January 1, 2026 **First day to file does not move because of New Year’s Day holiday. An “Annual ABBM” or FPCA for a January or February 2026 election may be filed earlier, but not earlier than the 60th day before the date of the January or February election. – First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail
Tuesday, January 13, 2026: Last Day for Candidates Planning to File for a Place on the General Election Ballot (Local Non-County Political Subdivisions Only) to Register to Vote or Update Voter Registration
Wednesday, January 14, 2026: First Day to File for a Place on the General Election Ballot (Local Non-County Political Subdivisions Only)1
Friday, February 13, 2026: Last Day to Order General Election or Special Election on a Measure
Friday, February 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. – See note below relating to four-year terms3: Last Day to File for a Place on the General Election Ballot (Local Non-County Political Subdivisions Only)2
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 5:00 p.m: Last Day to File a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy (Local Non-County Political Subdivisions Only)
Thursday, April 2, 2026: Last Day to Register to Vote
Monday, April 20, 2026: First Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance
Monday, April 20, 2026
(deadline falls on San Jacinto Day, moves to preceding business day): Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked)
Tuesday, April 28, 2026: Last Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance
Saturday, May 2, 2026 (Election Day) at 7:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is not postmarked, OR Monday, May 4, 2026 (next business day after Election Day) at 5:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7:00 p.m. at the location of the election on Election Day (unless overseas or military voter deadlines apply)4: Last day to Receive Ballot by Mail
Thursday, January 1, 2026 **First day to file does not move because of New Year’s Day holiday. An “Annual ABBM” or FPCA for a January or February 2026 election may be filed earlier, but not earlier than the 60th day before the date of the January or February election.: First day to apply for a ballot by mail using Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM) or Federal Postcard Application (FPCA)
Monday, April 27, 2026: Last Day to Register to Vote
Friday, May 15, 2026: Last Day to Apply by Mail (Received, not Postmarked)
Monday, May 18, 2026: First Day of Early Voting
Friday, May 22, 2026: Last Day of Early Voting
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 (Election Day) at 7:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is not postmarked, OR Wednesday, May 27, 2026 (next business day after Election Day) at 5:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7:00 p.m. at the location of the election on Election Day (unless overseas or military voter deadlines apply)4: Last Day to Receive Ballot by Mail
Monday, November 3, 2025: Deadline to post candidate requirements5 Form 1-20
Thursday, January 1, 2026 **First day to file does not move because of New Year’s Day holiday. An “Annual ABBM” or FPCA for a January or February 2026 election may be filed earlier, but not earlier than the 60th day before the date of the January or February election.: First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail
Thursday, June 18, 2026 for local political subdivisions that have a first day to file for their candidates1: Deadline to Post Notice of Candidate Filing Deadline (Local Non-County Political Subdivisions Only)
Friday, July 17, 2026: Last Day for Candidates Planning to File for a Place on the General Election Ballot (Local Non-County Political Subdivisions Only) to Register to Vote or Update Voter Registration
Saturday, July 18, 2026: First Day to File for a Place on the General Election Ballot (Local Non-County Political Subdivisions Only)1
Saturday, July 18, 2026: First Day to File a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy (General Election for State and County Officers)
Monday, August 17, 2026: Last Day to Order General Election or Special Election on a Measure
Monday, August 17, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. – See note below relating to four-year terms 3: Last Day to File for a Place on the General Election Ballot (Local Non-County Political Subdivisions Only)2
Monday, August 17, 2026: Last Day to File a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy (General Election for State and County Officers)
Friday, August 21, 2026: Last Day to File a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy (Local Non-County Political Subdivisions Only)
Monday, October 5, 2026: Last Day to Register to Vote
Monday, October 19, 2026: First Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance
Friday, October 23, 2026: Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked)
Friday, October 30, 2026: Last Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (Election Day) at 7:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is not postmarked, OR Wednesday, November 4, 2026 (next business day after Election Day) at 5:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7:00 p.m. at the location of the election on Election Day (unless overseas or military voter deadlines apply)4: Last day to Receive Ballot by Mail
1 For the few entities who do not have a first day to file: For the May 2, 2026 election, Wednesday, January 14, 2026 is the deadline to post notice of candidate filing deadline for local political subdivisions that do not have a first day to file for their candidates. For the November 3, 2026 election, Saturday, July 18, 2026 is the deadline to post notice of candidate filing deadline for local political subdivisions that do not have a first day to file for their candidates. See Section 141.040(a)(2) of the Election Code.
Local political subdivisions include: cities, school districts, water districts, hospital districts, and any other local government entity that conducts elections. Many of these elections are conducted on the May uniform election date.
2 Filing deadlines: generally, the filing deadline is the 78th day prior to Election Day. The Election Code may provide a different special election filing deadline. See Section 201.054 of the Texas Election Code (the “Code”). Write-in deadlines for general and special elections vary. See the long calendar for this election date for details. The write-in deadline for most local (city, school, other) special elections is now the same day as the filing deadline for application for a place on the ballot. Section 201.054.
3 If no candidate for a four-year term has filed an application for a place on the ballot for a city office, the filing deadline for that office is extended to 5 p.m. of the 57th day before the election. For the May 2, 2026 election, this is Friday, March 6, 2026. See Section 143.008 of the Election Code.
4 Different deadlines apply to the last day to receive ballots sent by the following: 1) non-military and military voters who mailed ballots from overseas and submitted a regular state Application for Ballot by Mail (“ABBM”), 2) non-military voters who mailed ballots from overseas and who submitted a Federal Postcard Application (“FPCA”), and (3) military voters and members of the Texas National Guard, who mailed ballots domestically or from overseas and who submitted an FPCA. See Secs. 86.007, 101.001 and 101.057 of the Election Code.
5 Section 2051.152 of the Government Code requires all political subdivisions with the authority to impose a tax maintain a publically accessible Internet website and post the date and location of the next election for officers of the political subdivision and the requirements and deadline for filing for candidacy of each elected office of the political subdivision, which shall be continuously posted for at least one year before the election day for the office.
Please contact the Elections Division of the Office of the Texas Secretary of State at 1-800-252-VOTE (8683) for additional information.
Contact us
Contact us to learn more about our services, volunteer opportunities, and ways to support the movement.