Local voting campaign underway

By Lynsi Musselman

Albany resident Amy Kelly, along with Shackelford County officials  announce the Your Vote Matters voter registration and voter participation campaign.

Kelly is the campaign volunteer deputy registrar and hopes to increase voter awareness and participation in Shackelford County.

She explained the campaign really helps people know the when, who, how, why, and where of the local voting process.

“If the voting deadlines are talked about now, then hopefully the different deadlines will not sneak up on residents, “Kelly said.

The campaign is designed to increase voter registration and election day turnout.

“After-election results sometimes show low voter turnouts, so I really want to challenge our county to increase participation,” Kelly said.

Albany High School senior Alli Hill just turned 18 and said it feels awesome to finally be able to have a voice in what goes on in our country.

“I have been eager to be old enough to vote for awhile,” Hill added. “Now that I am old enough to understand the issues better,  I am getting registered for the Nov. 3 election.”

Kelly said it is not about who is voted for, it is more about taking part in the country’s democratic process. 

She said residents who still need to register to vote in Shackelford County have until Monday, Oct. 5 to turn in their forms to the Courthouse.

 The last day to apply to vote by mail is Friday, Oct. 23, and voting by mail will require ballots be received  by Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Shackelford County  secretary Cheri Hawkins explained that applications and ballots must be received at the Courthouse by the deadline. Postmark dates will not be accepted.  

Early in person voting will be Oct. 13-30,  and Belinda Perez at the Courthouse can be contacted about how to vote early in person.

Actual election date is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Hawkins said for both  early in-person voting and election day, the polls will be open during lunch, and curbside voting at the Courthouse will be available.

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 Kelly at 325-338-0037 or Belinda Perez at the Shackelford County Courthouse in Albany at 325-762-9420.