Early voting starts Monday in Texas
Voters in Amarillo and across the state of Texas can start casting ballots for this year’s elections beginning Monday as early voting begins and continues through Nov. 4.
Statewide races dominate the ballot this year, with the race for Texas Governor between Beto O’Rourke, the Democratic candidate and incumbent Republican Greg Abbott, being front and center as one of the most expensive races in the nation, with more than $100 million raised from both parties combined.
Ronny Jackson, the incumbent 13th Congressional District U.S. Representative, is on the ballot for re-election against Wichita Falls Attorney and Democratic nominee Kathleen Brown. State Representative for District 87 Four Price seeks re-election from a challenge by Libertarian candidate Nick Hearn, who hails from Dumas.
Potter County has two contested races named on the ballot. Robert Ruiz, the Democratic interim Potter County Precinct Two Commissioner, has served since November 2021 after Mercy Murguia stepped down from her position. Ruiz is being challenged by Republican nominee Blair Schaeffer.
With Richard Herman retiring as Potter County Justice of the Peace in Precinct Two, Republican nominee Robert Taylor vies off against Democratic nominee Claudia Griego for his position.
While Potter County Judge Nancy Tanner has no named candidate opponent on the ballot, Tanner is not listed as unopposed and has a write-in opposition that is not named on the ballot.
Other notable statewide elections on the ballot involving the two major parties include:
Lieutenant Governor: Dan Patrick (R) vs. Mike Collier (D)
Attorney General: Ken Paxton (R) vs. Rochelle Garcia (D)
Comptroller of Public Accounts: Glenn Hegar (R) vs. Janet Dudding (D)
Commissioner of General Land Office: Dawn Buckingham (R) vs. Jay Kleberg (D)
Commissioner of Agriculture: Sid Miller (R) vs. Susan Hays (D)
Railroad Commissioner: Wayne Christian (R) vs. Luke Warford (D)
There are also three Texas Supreme Court justices on the ballot and two Court of Criminal Appeals judgeships.
This Sunday's print edition also includes this year's Voter's Guide from the League of Women Voters of Amarillo. It gives a breakdown of all races on the ballot.
Anyone eligible to vote on Election Day can also vote early, meaning residents must have registered to vote on or before Oct. 11.
Voting requirements
Voters who choose to vote early still need to bring their photo ID, which can include:
Texas Driver's License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
United States Passport (book or card)
Form of identification cannot be expired for more than four years unless the voter is 70 years old or older, in which case a valid identification can be expired for any length of time.
If you don't have ID and cannot obtain one due to a reasonable impediment, you'll need to sign a sworn statement that there is a reason why you don't have any of the accepted IDs and present one of the following:
Certified birth certificate
Valid voter registration certificate
Or a current utility bill, government check, bank statement or paycheck, or government document with your name and an address.
If you meet these requirements and are eligible to vote, you may vote in the election.
If you don't have an ID and do not have a reasonable impediment to obtaining one, or did not bring ID to the polling place, you may cast a provisional ballot. In order to have the provisional ballot counted, you will be required to visit the voter registrar's office within six calendar days of the date of the election to either present one of the forms of photo ID or submit a temporary affidavit, or, if applicable, qualify for the disability exemption, in the presence of the county voter registrar while attesting to the fact that you do not have any of the required photo IDs, as stated by Texas law.
Where and when to vote
The following polling locations will be available for early voting in Potter County from Oct. 24 to Nov.4:
Santa Fe Building (Main)
Casey Carpet One
Tri-State Fairgrounds Commercial Exhibit Hall
Cornerstone Outreach
Northwest Branch Amarillo Public Library
Voting hours for all locations will be as follows:
Oct. 24-28: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Oct. 29: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Oct. 30: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
From Oct. 31 through Nov. 4, all locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of the Santa Fe Building, which will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The following polling locations will be available for early voting in Randall County from Oct. 24 to Nov. 4:
Randall County Election Administration Office (Canyon)
Randall County Annex, Amarillo
Voting for these two locations will be:
Oct. 24-28: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Oct. 29: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Oct. 30: noon to 6 p.m.
Oct. 31-Nov.4: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Other locations include:
Randall County Justice Center (Canyon)
Region 16 Education Service Center
Comanche Trail Church of Christ
Voting hours for these locations will be as follows:
Oct. 24-28: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Oct. 29: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Oct. 30: noon to 6 p.m.
Oct. 31- Nov. 3: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Nov. 4: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Mail-in ballots
Those wishing to vote by mail must have turned in their applications no later than close of business Oct. 28 to an election office or have it received not postmarked by that same date and must be 65 years of age or older; be disabled; be expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day; or be out of the country on Election Day and during the period of early voting in person; or be confined in jail but otherwise eligible.
For more information, go to pottercountyvotes.com or https://www.randallcounty.gov/166/Election-Administration.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Early voting starts Monday in Texas
