Champions Sun - News
Texans have option to participate in early voting
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| With this election arguably being one of the most important presidential elections this country has experienced, lines are expected to be long at polling sites Nov. 4. Early voting may be an alternative for those who wish to avoid the wait. |
By VALERIE JONES
Election day is fast approaching and come Nov. 4, residents will be casting their votes for everything from school board elections to the next President of the United States.
However, many residents will choose to opt out of the mass hysteria and cast their votes early.
“Our job is to lay out the infrastructure and our mission is to provide people the information and materials needed for the voting process,” said Hector Deleon, director of communications and voter outreach. “It’s always left up to the individual to decide if they want to vote or not. We’re making sure we’re ready whether all of them vote or only one comes out to vote.”
Texans who are registered to vote can vote early either by personal appearance at a designated early voting branch location (no reason is needed) or by mail, which requires the voter meet certain qualifications.
One can vote early by mail if he/she a) is absent from his/her county on election day and during the period to vote early in person; b) is disabled; c) is 65 years of age or older on election day; or d) is confined in jail awaiting trial and has not been finally convicted of a felony.
If one is eligible to vote by mail, he or she must submit an application for a ballot to: Beverly Kaufman, Harris County Clerk; Attn: Elections Division; P.O. Box 1148; Houston, TX 77251 before the close of the business day Oct. 28.
Applications for a ballot-by-mail are available from Beverly Kaufman or the Secretary of State’s office.
Those that wish to fill out an informal application may do so. It must be in writing and include: signature; the address at which the person is registered to vote; the address to which the ballot is to be mailed (only if it differs from the address to which the person is registered, as shown on the voter registration card); a description of the election for which the person is requesting a ballot and a reason why the person is eligible to vote early by mail (if this reason is due to expected absence from the county, the application must give an out-of-county mailing address).
Applications must be sent by regular mail or by common or contract carrier, faxed to 713-755-4983 or submitted in person. This option may be used only before early voting by personal appearance begins.
The deadline for return of the marked ballot to Kaufman is 7 p.m. Nov. 4 and must be returned by mail or by common or contract carrier.
Hours of operation for early voting are as follows: Oct.20-24 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Oct. 25 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Oct. 26 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Oct. 27-31 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Early voting polling locations
City of Jersey Village City Hall - 16327 Lakeview Drive
Barbara Bush Library - 6817 Cypresswood Drive
Ponderosa Fire Station No. 1 - 17061 Rolling Creek Drive
Cypress Top Park - 26026 Hempstead Highway
Lone Star College (Willowchase campus) - 9449 Grant Road
Bear Creek Community Center - 3055 Bear Creek Drive
For a full list of early voting polling locations, visit www.harrisvotes.com.
However, many residents will choose to opt out of the mass hysteria and cast their votes early.
“Our job is to lay out the infrastructure and our mission is to provide people the information and materials needed for the voting process,” said Hector Deleon, director of communications and voter outreach. “It’s always left up to the individual to decide if they want to vote or not. We’re making sure we’re ready whether all of them vote or only one comes out to vote.”
Texans who are registered to vote can vote early either by personal appearance at a designated early voting branch location (no reason is needed) or by mail, which requires the voter meet certain qualifications.
One can vote early by mail if he/she a) is absent from his/her county on election day and during the period to vote early in person; b) is disabled; c) is 65 years of age or older on election day; or d) is confined in jail awaiting trial and has not been finally convicted of a felony.
If one is eligible to vote by mail, he or she must submit an application for a ballot to: Beverly Kaufman, Harris County Clerk; Attn: Elections Division; P.O. Box 1148; Houston, TX 77251 before the close of the business day Oct. 28.
Applications for a ballot-by-mail are available from Beverly Kaufman or the Secretary of State’s office.
Those that wish to fill out an informal application may do so. It must be in writing and include: signature; the address at which the person is registered to vote; the address to which the ballot is to be mailed (only if it differs from the address to which the person is registered, as shown on the voter registration card); a description of the election for which the person is requesting a ballot and a reason why the person is eligible to vote early by mail (if this reason is due to expected absence from the county, the application must give an out-of-county mailing address).
Applications must be sent by regular mail or by common or contract carrier, faxed to 713-755-4983 or submitted in person. This option may be used only before early voting by personal appearance begins.
The deadline for return of the marked ballot to Kaufman is 7 p.m. Nov. 4 and must be returned by mail or by common or contract carrier.
Hours of operation for early voting are as follows: Oct.20-24 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Oct. 25 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Oct. 26 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Oct. 27-31 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Early voting polling locations
City of Jersey Village City Hall - 16327 Lakeview Drive
Barbara Bush Library - 6817 Cypresswood Drive
Ponderosa Fire Station No. 1 - 17061 Rolling Creek Drive
Cypress Top Park - 26026 Hempstead Highway
Lone Star College (Willowchase campus) - 9449 Grant Road
Bear Creek Community Center - 3055 Bear Creek Drive
For a full list of early voting polling locations, visit www.harrisvotes.com.
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