Hays Officials Cite Early Voting Schedule Reviewed, Recommended By Both Political Party Chairs

Some candidates for office recently requested an extension of dates and/or times at the temporary branch polling place on campus at Texas State University, which was scheduled for the first three days of early voting…

Staff Report
Turnout for the first week of early voting has already exceeded previous elections, and a week still remains for early voting.

Some candidates for office recently requested an extension of dates and/or times at the temporary branch polling place on campus at Texas State University, which was scheduled for the first three days of early voting. 

Due to the “public notice” requirements for the branch voting schedule, extension of dates and times for any branch location is not practicable at this time.

The Early Voting schedule, including the location of all polling places, as well as dates and times, was reviewed and recommended by the county chairs of both primary political parties, along with municipal representatives, and was confirmed by the Hays County Commissioners Court on August 7, 2018.  

The Early Voting Schedule is posted online at: https://smcorridornews.com/early-voting-locations-and-sample-ballots-for-the-2018-election/

Registered voters may exercise their right to vote at any early voting polling place within Hays County, including the Hays County Government Center, located at 712 South Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos, TX. 

According to Hays County Elections Administrator Jennifer Anderson, approximately 19,400 voters went to the polls on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, approximately 5,700 more voters than the first three days of the 2016 general election (a Presidential Election), and it exceeds the first-three-day total for the 2014 mid-term by approximately 14,600 voters.

Citizens who have not yet voted are encouraged to take advantage of open polling places this Saturday and Sunday, or next week, when polls will remain open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  (Monday through Friday).

Equipment issues

Elections staff experienced problems with equipment start-up on the first day of early voting at two polling places. Both problems related to partial cable connections between items of equipment.

This caused a temporary delay at only one polling place: the Hays County Precinct 4 polling place in Dripping Springs, which is farthest away from the Elections Administration offices. That problem was resolved within an hour of its occurrence. No equipment-related delays have since occurred.

Free rides to the polls

At the request of Hays County and the City of San Marcos, Capital Area Rural Transportation System (“CARTS”) is providing free bus service to and from polling places during early voting and on Election Day.  People riding CARTS to their polling place are asked to tell the driver that they are going to the polls and will have their bus fares waived.

In addition, CARTS offer free rides to Texas State University students at any time, with presentation of a student ID.

For more information on free rides to the polls, call CARTS at 512.478.RIDE (7433) or visit www.RideCARTS.com.