Elections Administrator shares reminders about cell phones, political gear plus sample ballots
(Guadalupe County) — Early voting in the November 5 Presidential and General Election begins today. Early voting polling locations throughout the county will be open through Friday, Nov. 1.
Guadalupe County Elections Administrator Lisa Hayes shared a few changes and reminded voters of how the process works. The first is an extension of the hours to cast that ballot early.
“We changed things up a little this year because we are expecting a higher turnout because there’s more intertest in the presidential election. So, this weekend Monday through Friday, our hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. instead of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. like we normally do. Our hours on Saturday for voting are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday is 12 to 6 p.m. and then all next week Monday through Friday the hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. So, we are hoping it gives the voters enough time – working around their work schedule or whatever it is they got going so that we have the availability for them to come and vote as they need to,” said Hayes.
Hayes says that additional polling sites are next on the list.
“We also have nine early voting locations this time instead of the normal six again to try to make it convenient for our early voters. We’ve added an early voting site in Marion at the Marion ISD Tondre Room. We’ve added the Seguin ISD Admin Buidling and the Selma City Hall so we’ve tried to cover all sides of the county to give voters more options and then of course, we have the New Berlin Community Center, the Elections Office Annex in Schertz, the Cibolo Fire Station #2, the Central Texas Technology Center, Redemptive Grace Ministries and then of course, here, of course here at the main early voting location (Guadalupe County Elections Office) in Seguin,” said Hayes.
In addition to these changes, Hayes is adding a few reminders.
“The most important thing for voters to know is in order to vote, then must have a photo ID and the Texas Driver’s License is the one that we see the most but they could also use their military ID or their license to carry or their passport if they have those items. So, that’s really what we need. They need them to bring their ID and I’d like them to also please bring their patience because I suspect we are going to have some long lines despite our best efforts of over staffing. There’s only so many people that we can process at one time so I’m really asking that voters come with a patient frame of mind and just let us get through everybody as quickly and as efficiently as we can,” said Hayes.
Hayes says she is also reminding voters that the law will be enforced at all polling locations. She says one of the enforcements involves cell phones.
“I think one of the things that I’m concerned about is there is no recording devices or electioneering allowed within 100 feet of the polling locations. What most people don’t realize is when they are standing in line at the polling location, unless the line if very long, they are actually standing in line within 100 feet of the polling location and so that means unfortunately they are not allowed to have their phones out and use them while they are standing in line if they are within that 100 feet. That 100 feet is marked by a sign that says ‘Distance Marker: No electioneering or recording devices inside this line.’ So, I just want voters to be aware that part of our job when we are conducting eelctions is to abide by the law and so we have to enforce that. So, if we come out from one of our polls and ask them to put their phones away, I ask them to just please be respectful of the fact that this isn’t us trying to be difficult. It is the law and we are required to enforce it. So just go into it knowing that. If they want to bring a sample ballot, they can absolutely bring a (paper) sample ballot but they will not be able to come in with a sample ballot on their phone and use their phone, so I just want the voters to go into it knowing that that is going to happen. They can’t wear political t-shirts inside the polling place or within a 100 feet so that is the other thing to be aware of,” said Hayes.
Curbside voting will also be available at each early-voting polling location. Those unable to get out of their vehicles are encouraged to call the number available on the sign outside.
Those wishing to print their sample ballot are encouraged to visit the elections office website at co.guadalupe.tx.us/elections. Those with other questions about the election process are asked to call the Elections Office at (830) 303-6363.