A slew of civil lawsuits and Governor’s Executive Orders have made this fall’s election different than any we have witnessed – and that’s not even taking into account a hotly contested Presidential Election.
The Texas Legislature amended the Texas Election Code in 2017 to end straight party voting beginning with the 2020 General Election, so we knew to anticipate having to mark each race on the ballot. Then, COVID-19 entered the arena, and a court case challenged the end to straight ticket voting in light of the pandemic. The trial court reinstated straight-party voting, saying ending the practice would “cause important delays at polling places, place Texas voters at increased risk of catching a deadly virus, and discourage voters, particularly those most vulnerable to the disease or under significant economic pressure, from exercising their rights on election day.” But the trial court’s decision was put on hold by an appellate court, and with ballots printed and voting machines programmed based on no straight party voting, Texans will be heading to the polls most likely without a straight party voting option. In the 2018 general election, about two-thirds of Texas voters used the straight ticket option.
In July, Governor Greg Abbott extended the early voting period for the November election by six days, citing continued challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. The Governor is allowing political parties to install poll watchers to observe the process and is allowing voters to drop off absentee ballots before Election Day.
Llano County Election Administrator Cindy Ware has some simple advice for voters. “Vote Early! Review a sample ballot before heading to the polls. Ballots are available on our website, co.llano.tx.us, at the Llano libraries, and at Horseshoe Bay City Hall. Don’t believe things you hear or read that sound unusual or incorrect. Feel free to call the office and we’ll provide you with the correct information.”
Mail in ballots have received a lot of publicity and legal challenges this year. Voters who have requested an Absentee Ballot By Mail (ABBM) may return their ABBM via the postal service, or they may hand deliver their completed, signed ABBM to the Llano County Elections Office. Voters who opt to hand deliver their ABBM must do so in person and bring their photo identification. An ABBM cannot be dropped off at any location other than the Llano Elections Office. If a voter requested an ABBM, but later decides to vote in person, the voter must surrender the ABBM at the polling location, sign a cancellation form, and then vote using the polling equipment.
October 23 is the last day to apply for an Absentee Ballot By Mail. ABBM application forms should be available at the Llano Library, the Kingsland Library, and at Horseshoe Bay City Hall. The form is also available on the Llano County Elections Office website, just scroll down until you get to the Vote By Mail blue tab.
Many voters rely on party designation when choosing between candidates. Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, or Green Party abbreviations follow the names of most of the candidates represented on this season’s ballot. However, some contested local races are non-partisan, such as those for Llano Independent School Board, Llano City Council, and KMUD Board of Directors, so voters may want to do some homework before heading to the polls. With Mike Conaway’s decision not to seek another term in the U.S. House of Representatives, voters will choose between August Pfluger, Jon Mark Hogg, and Wacey Alpha Cody to be their next voice in Congress.
Early voting for the November 3 election begins Tuesday, October 13 and continues through Friday, October 30 at the Llano Library, the Kingsland Library, and Horseshoe Bay City Hall. During early voting, Llano County voters may cast ballots at any of these three voting locations.
