Texas voters must be registered to vote by Monday, June 15 in order to cast a ballot in the upcoming runoff election.
Registration applications can be printed from the Texas Secretary of State’s website. They can also be found at libraries, government offices and high schools. Forms must be completed and turned in to the Bexar County Elections Office at 1103 South Frio St. by Monday.
Extended early voting for the runoff elections begins June 29 and ends July 10, with polls open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at most locations. Early voting polls will be closed on July 3rd and 4th.
Runoff Election Day is July 14.
Gov. Greg Abbott extended the early voting period in an effort to decrease crowed lines at polling locations. Bexar County Elections Administrator Jacque Callanen says despite the extended period, she expects to see an increase in the request for mail-in ballots due to COVID-19.
The Texas Supreme Court ruled voters can decide for themselves if they are fit enough to vote with the threat of contracting COVID-19 a possibility.
Mail-in ballots must be completed and returned to the Bexar County Elections Office no later than 11 days before the election.
Callanen says voters are asked to wear masks while voting in person. Early voting sites will also offer voters plastic gloves, finger cots and pencils to touch voting buttons and equipment with. Curbside voting will also be offered on election day, but voters must contact the elections office to arrange the service in advance.
Twenty-nine early voting locations will be open on July 14 to cast ballots in person, mostly libraries, community centers, and civic centers. Election day poll hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
To find a location near, visit the county website.
Callanen expects turnout for the July 14 runoffs to amount to only 2 to 5% of the county’s 1 million registered voters.
For more information on registration, requesting a mail-in ballot, and voting call 210-335-VOTE.
Brian Kirkpatrick can be reached at Brian@TPR.org and on Twitter at @TPRBrian.
