Travis County Clerk Urges Early Voting, Wearing Masks To Polls

AUSTIN, TX — The Travis County clerk on Wednesday providing something of a primer for residents ahead of the early voting period starting next week, noting key changes in the way ballots will be cast this year.

The early voting period runs from Oct. 13-30. Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir outlined guidance for those casting ballots, noting that voting won't take place at grocery stores or Austin Community College this year as in the past.

Also this year, DeBeauvoir noted, straight party voting is no allowed as it has in the past. The Republican Party this year fought hard to eliminate the practice, and the option will not be available by the early voting period as the issue meanders through the courts given Democrats' appeals.

The upshot: It will take longer for voters to cast their ballots this year compared to past elections, the clerk said.

"For this election, there is a longer ballot and no straight party voting allowed," she said. "So it will take a few minutes to complete your ballot."

She urged residents to visit VoteTravis.com, a portal that serves as something of a clearinghouse for voter information. There, people can download a personal sample ballot that can be brought to the polling place to use as notes, the clerk said. "By law," she added, "you cannot use your phone in the polling place."

Residents using the portal also can download a list of early voting locations, review voter ID requirements and check wait times at the various polling sites, DeBeauvoir said.

High interest in the upcoming Nov. 3 election has prompted officials to urge residents to vote during the early voting period. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays during early voting.

DeBeauvoir also urged residents to don protective face coverings given an ongoing threat of the coronavirus: "Remember, stay safe, wear a mask and vote early," she said.