EARLY VOTING CONTINUES AT BRISK PACE; COUNTY CLERK DISCUSSES “MARKS” ON BACK OF BALLOTS
Early voting for November’s general election is off to a hot start in Washington County.
After a record-setting first day of early voting Tuesday in which 1,316 voters came to the ballot box, 1,282 voters cast ballots Wednesday. According to County Clerk Beth Rothermel, this brings the two-day total to 2,598 voters, roughly 10 percent of the registered voters in the county in just two days.
Rothermel said election administrators have received several questions about a mark on the back of ballots, with some referring to a Facebook post about poll workers putting marks on ballots.
Rothermel said, per Texas Election Code 62.008, the election judge is required to place their signature on the back of each ballot to be used at the polling place on Election Day. During early voting, Texas Election Code 85.0311 requires the early voting clerk’s initials—in this case, Rothermel’s—on the back of each ballot at the polling place.
Rothermel said the original Facebook post may have originated from another state, so voters should be aware that state election laws may vary. She assured that everything done at the polling place during early voting and on Election Day is in accordance with state election laws for the safety and security of voters and their ballots. She encouraged anyone who sees anything suspicious on social media or has questions about election procedures to call her office at 979-277-6200.
Early voting continues today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday from 12 to 3 p.m. Early voting will continue through October 30th.