Early voting starts, stays brisk
By Donnie A. Lucas
Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election and three local races that were postponed earlier in the year due to COVID-19 coronavirus concerns has been brisk with just over 30 percent of all registered voters in the county casting ballots.
Early voting opened on Tuesday, Oct. 13, and as of Tuesday, Oct. 20, a total of 649 ballots had been cast, in addition to 109 mail ballots that have been returned, representing a county total of over 750 voters thus far.
Voters have until 4:00 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 to send in an application for a mail ballot.
“We have sent out 145 ballots by mail so far,” district and county clerk Cheri Hawkins said. “Applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. Friday in my office. We have to have the application in hand, not just postmarked by Friday.”
Residents have until Friday, Oct. 30 to early vote in person at the Courthouse between the hours of 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., including during the lunch hour.
Extended hours will again be offered from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27 only.
Anyone who is currently registered to vote can participate during the early voting period. The Courthouse is the only voting location where a ballot can be cast during early voting.
Hawkins said that residents who requested a ballot by mail can return them through the mail, but those ballots must be received in the clerk’s office by Election Day, Nov. 3 at 7:00 p.m. to be counted.
Mail ballots can also be returned in person at the Courthouse, including curbside service with advance notice, but each voter must sign in and show an approved form of photo identification. A driver’s license is the most commonly presented form.
“Mail ballots returned in person can only be from the individuals presenting their IDs,” Hawkins said. “Spouses can not return mail ballots for each other.”
The clerk added that her office will also bring a ballot box out to a vehicle in the parking lot if someone does not want to enter the Courthouse to early vote or turn in a mail ballot due to accessibility issues or because they fear exposure to the coronavirus.They must present IDs then as well.
Hawkins also said anyone concerned about a mail ballot being handled promptly by the post office can hand a mail ballot directly to a postal worker in the post office and it will be placed immediately in the clerk’s postal box.
Election workers are allowed to assist voters with the operation of the voting machines.
There is also a write-in candidate in one race, with instructions at each machine on how to enter a choice.
“Considering the number of votes that have been cast, things have gone smoothly,” Hawkins said. “The ballot is lengthy this time, so we encourage voters to look at a sample ballot and bring their patience with them.”
She noted that straight party voting is not an option any longer.
Albany ISD, Shackelford County Hospital District, and City of Moran races are on the voting ballots for relevant precincts because those elections were postponed in May due to COVID-19.
Shackelford County residents can find a printable application for a ballot by mail by clicking on “Elections” at the website shackelfordcounty.org, and then scrolling down the page. Once the application is completed and signed, it should be delivered to Cheri Hawkins, C/D Clerk Shackelford Co., PO Box 2109, Albany TX 76430 before the Oct. 23 deadline.
Sample ballots are available at shackelfordcounty.org.
Election Day
Voters on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3 are required to vote between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Polling places for Shackelford County will be at the Courthouse for voting precincts 101, 202, 307, and 406, Moran Community Center for 303, Hastings/Precinct 4 barn near Lueders for 404, and Rock Hill School near Hamby for 405.
For more information about the voting process, contact Hawkins or Belinda Perez at the Shackelford County Courthouse in Albany at 325-762-9420.
