OVER 1,700 EARLY VOTERS THROUGH SIX DAYS; ELECTIONS OFFICE REMINDS VOTERS OF NEW LAWS ON CELL PHONES, CURBSIDE ASSISTANCE
Daily voting turnout continues to climb in Washington County for the Texas Constitutional Amendments and Brenham ISD propositions.
According to Elections Administrator Carol Jackson, the second week of early voting began with 404 ballots cast on Monday. That includes 378 votes in the Brenham ISD elections. Both numbers are single-day highs through early voting to this point.
So far, 1,728 people have voted early. That total includes 1,609 Brenham ISD voters.
Jackson reminds voters of several changes to election procedures that were made effective September 1st, following the 89th Legislative Session.
Among those is House Bill 3909, which disallows the usage of wireless communication devices within a room where voting is taking place, instead of only within 100 feet of a voting station. Presiding judges must post a notice on the devices in a “prominent and reasonably visible location outside of a room in which voting is taking place.”
House Bill 521 requires election officers who assist voters to complete an election worker assistance sheet, and county election officials must report any information regarding an individual, including an election worker, who has assisted seven or more voters.
Additionally, the new law requires curbside voters to sign a sworn statement affirming their inability to enter the polling place without assistance or risking their health due to a physical condition, or that they require the service as a disability accommodation. Another change for curbside voting is that electioneering or loitering is now prohibited within 20 feet of the designated curbside space, with violations classified as a Class C misdemeanor.
Early voting at the Washington County Courthouse Annex continues through Friday. Hours today (Tuesday) and tomorrow (Wednesday) are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Extended hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. will be available on Thursday and Friday. No voting will take place over the weekend.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 4th.