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Election prompts upward spike in early voting
  
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By JENNIFER BRANCH COGAN
The lines at the Barbara Bush Library were wrapped around themselves from the outset of early voting until Friday, when early voting polling places closed.
“The trend (in early voting) has definitely been upward,” said Hector de Leon, director of communications and voter outreach for the county clerk’s office. “We’re seeing more people taking advantage of early voting. For example, if you look at the overall turnout from 2004, about 23 percent of those voters took advantage of early voting.”
de Leon explained that there are 1.9 million registered voters in Harris County and as of Thursday about 45 percent of those registered voters had already participated in early voting.
At the polls, voters were greeted with not only candidate signs and literature, but a handful of candidates as well.
“I think this is pretty exciting,” said District 126 Representative Patricia Harless. “It means that voters are not only taking an interest in the election, but in early voting as well, and it’s a trend that I hope continues through other elections.”
de Leon explained that professors at Rice and the University of Houston were projecting a voter turnout of 1.2 million based on the high number of voters who participated in early voting.
“In 1996, about 15 to 16 percent of voters did early voting. In 2007, the number was 23 percent. In 2007, that number jumped to about 37 percent. We use those numbers to help us estimate how many people will turn up to the polls on Election Day,” he said.
The reason most seemed to be standing in line last Wednesday seemed to be a matter of convenience.
“You never know what’s going to happen on Election Day,” said Deborah Jones.
Other residents expressed concern regarding waiting in what they felt would be even longer lines on Nov. 4 and having other obligations that needed attention, such as picking children up from school or work.
“The lines have been long,” said Harless, “but they’re moving pretty quickly. It (was) about a 30 minute wait all day (Wednesday).”
de Leon explained that early voting afforded people not only flexibility as far as time constraints, but also a choice in polling location.
“There are 119 hours available for people to go vote if they vote early, but only 12 hours Nov. 4, and they can vote wherever they like,” he said.
On Election Day, polling places are determined by a resident’s address. During early voting, voters can cast their ballot at any polling location across the county.
“When you identify yourself (at the polling place) the ballot you actually vote on will be ballot connected to your residence,” said de Leon.
“The trend (in early voting) has definitely been upward,” said Hector de Leon, director of communications and voter outreach for the county clerk’s office. “We’re seeing more people taking advantage of early voting. For example, if you look at the overall turnout from 2004, about 23 percent of those voters took advantage of early voting.”
de Leon explained that there are 1.9 million registered voters in Harris County and as of Thursday about 45 percent of those registered voters had already participated in early voting.
At the polls, voters were greeted with not only candidate signs and literature, but a handful of candidates as well.
“I think this is pretty exciting,” said District 126 Representative Patricia Harless. “It means that voters are not only taking an interest in the election, but in early voting as well, and it’s a trend that I hope continues through other elections.”
de Leon explained that professors at Rice and the University of Houston were projecting a voter turnout of 1.2 million based on the high number of voters who participated in early voting.
“In 1996, about 15 to 16 percent of voters did early voting. In 2007, the number was 23 percent. In 2007, that number jumped to about 37 percent. We use those numbers to help us estimate how many people will turn up to the polls on Election Day,” he said.
The reason most seemed to be standing in line last Wednesday seemed to be a matter of convenience.
“You never know what’s going to happen on Election Day,” said Deborah Jones.
Other residents expressed concern regarding waiting in what they felt would be even longer lines on Nov. 4 and having other obligations that needed attention, such as picking children up from school or work.
“The lines have been long,” said Harless, “but they’re moving pretty quickly. It (was) about a 30 minute wait all day (Wednesday).”
de Leon explained that early voting afforded people not only flexibility as far as time constraints, but also a choice in polling location.
“There are 119 hours available for people to go vote if they vote early, but only 12 hours Nov. 4, and they can vote wherever they like,” he said.
On Election Day, polling places are determined by a resident’s address. During early voting, voters can cast their ballot at any polling location across the county.
“When you identify yourself (at the polling place) the ballot you actually vote on will be ballot connected to your residence,” said de Leon.
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