How Many Registered Voters In Fort Bend County

The starting time day of early voting in Texas saw long lines, a tape number of voters in the state's most populous county and relatively few hitches as voters surged to polling places despite the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Voters in Harris County shattered the record for in-person ballots cast on the first day of early on voting, with more than than 128,000 people voting, co-ordinate to the county elections office. The previous record was prepare in 2016, when near 68,000 people cast votes in that location.

More than 25,000 ballots were cast in Travis Canton by 4 p.1000., said County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir, adding that she was "amused pink" by the number of people who showed upward to vote. Nearly 33,700 people in the canton voted during the first solar day of early voting in 2016.

"We knew today was going to exist a really big mean solar day, just the voters have sent u.s.a. the betoken that they are really, really ready to vote," DeBeauvoir said.

Voting in Texas

When was the terminal day to register to vote?

The deadline to register to vote in the 2020 general election was Oct. 5. Check if yous're registered to vote here. If not, you'll need to fill up out and submit an application, which y'all can request hither or download here.
When tin I vote early?

Early voting for the 2020 full general election runs from October. 13 to Oct. thirty. Voters can bandage ballots at any polling location in the county where they are registered to vote during early voting. Election Day is Nov. 3.
How will voting be dissimilar because of the pandemic?

In general, polling locations volition take guidelines in place for social distancing and regular cleaning. Several counties will offering ballot mark devices so voters avoid contact with election equipment. Poll workers will likely be wearing face up masks and other protective equipment, but masks will not be required for voters.
How exercise I know if I qualify to vote by post?

Texas is one of just a few states that hasn't opened up mail-in voting to any voter concerned about getting COVID-19 at a polling place. You lot tin can notice eligibility requirements and review other questions nigh voting by mail hither.
Are polling locations the same on Election Day equally they are during early on voting?

Not always. Yous'll want to bank check for open polling locations with your local elections function before you head out to vote. Additionally, y'all can confirm with your county elections office whether Election Twenty-four hour period voting is restricted to locations in your designated precinct or if you can cast a ballot at whatever polling place.
Can I still vote if I have COVID-19?

Yes. If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or are exhibiting symptoms, consider requesting an emergency mail-in ballot or using curbside voting. Contact your county elections office for more details about both options.
See our voter guide

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In some parts of the state, voters waited in lines of 3 hours or more. That's expected, officials said, as new poll workers get accepted to the process and eager voters show upward in large numbers.

Despite the long lines, officials reported only isolated problems across the state.

The Fort Bend County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday afternoon to extend early voting hours for the rest of the week later an election organisation snafu earlier in the twenty-four hours that left all of the county's polling places temporarily closed. Polling places will close at 7 p.m. instead of v p.1000. this calendar week across the canton.

County election staff had originally programed the equipment to begin early on voting on Oct. 19, said Ballot Ambassador John Oldham. In July, Gov. Greg Abbott immune early voting to begin a calendar week earlier, merely Oldham said staff never corrected the engagement in the county's election equipment, and the incorrect date prevented voting machines across Fort Bend County from connecting to the county'south ballot arrangement Tuesday morn.

Oldham said the system will be updated Tuesday evening after polls shut to prevent farther issues. The majority of precincts were back online equally of 9:fifteen a.m., he said, and voting had resumed at all locations by the afternoon.

"I will do everything in my power to ensure every voter in Fort Bend Canton is able to cast their ballot this and every election cycle," County Judge KP George said in a statement. "Protecting democracy and the rights of voters is Fort Bend Canton'south top priority."

George, who was on-site at the Smart Financial Centre mega voting site, said in a video posted to Facebook that "those who are responsible volition be held accountable" for what he chosen "glitches in the voting organisation."

My friend Marlon in Fort Bend county just waited 7 HOURS in line to vote due to avoidable technical errors that forced many to get out before casting their ballots. Join me in supporting Fort Bend county approximate @JudgeKPGeorge'due south effort to extend voting hours to brand up for lost time. pic.twitter.com/P1BPs9P7ag
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) October xiii, 2020

Voters in Tarrant County likewise experienced long lines subsequently a poll worker tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the canton to temporarily shutter 3 early voting locations while officials worked to find replacement workers. Only one location — the Euless Family Life Senior Center — remained airtight as of nine:thirty a.g., according to the Tarrant County Elections Role.

Three polling locations in Travis County experienced minor issues Tuesday morning, DeBeauvoir said. Poll workers noticed the ballot boxes weren't accepting ballots and called technicians, which delayed the start of early voting at those locations. DeBeauvoir said rebooting the machines fixed the issues.

DeBeauvoir said voting "started a bit slower every bit crews got used to it" merely added that she does non wait any other issues going forward.