The deadline for Texans to register to vote was Monday. As of Tuesday morning, a record 181,508 people are registered to vote in Lubbock County. That's about a 9 percent increase over registration in the 2016 general election, which had around 60 percent voter turnout.
Now it's time to make a plan to cast your ballot.
Here's what you need to know. Have other questions? Reach out to us and we will get you answers.
Ballots
Sample ballots are available online. Registered voters can type in their address and see their exact form.
This election is not just for president and state-level offices, but also for municipal elections that were postponed in May. There will be no straight-ticket voting this year.
Lubbock County Judge Curtis Parrish said with so many measures on each ballot, voters should look at and research their's ahead of time. Voters can bring their sample ballot to the voting booth with them. He said to plan on spending 15 to 20 minutes at the voting booth.
Voting by mail
The pandemic did not change the requirements to be eligible to vote by mail in Texas. A voter must meet the following criteria to be eligible, according to the Texas Secretary of State.
- be 65 years or older
- be sick or disabled
- be out of the county on election day and during the period for early voting by personal appearance
- be confined in jail, but otherwise eligible
Oct. 23 is the last day to apply for a mail-in ballot. More information on requesting this in Lubbock County is available here.
Once completed, voters can drop off their ballot in-person at the Lubbock County Elections Office, 1308 Crickets Ave. Voters can only drop off their personal ballot, no one else's, and should bring a photo ID. Governor Greg Abbott's recent, and controversial, order allowing only one dropbox per county did not impact Lubbock - one location was the plan all along.
Lubbock County Elections Administrator Dorothy Kennedy assures ballots will also be safe in the mail. Envelopes must be postmarked by Nov. 3.
Voting early
Early in-person voting opens Oct. 13 and goes through Oct. 30.
There are 25 early voting locations, including many United Supermarkets. For a list of locations and hours, visit the Lubbock County Elections Office website.
Kennedy and Parrish encourage people to vote early. Kennedy said Saturday and Sunday are usually the slowest days.
Election Day
Election Day is Nov. 3.
There will be 43 voting locations open that day. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Voters in line at 7 p.m. can still vote.
Parrish said the increase in registered voters and interest in this year's election, paired with COVID-19 protocols, could make lines long that Tuesday.
COVID-19 protocols
Voters are encouraged, though not required, to wear a mask while voting. Poll workers are required to wear a mask.
Kennedy said personal protection equipment will be available at voting locations. Social distancing will also be enforced and areas will be cleaned regularly.
Have a news tip? Email Sarah Self-Walbrick at saselfwa@ttu.edu. Follow her reporting on Twitter @SarahFromTTUPM.
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