It's Election Day!

“The vote is precious. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it.”

— Rep. John Lewis

"Someone struggled for your right to vote. Use it."

— Susan B. Anthony

Today is Election Day. If you didn’t already cast your ballot during the early voting period, this is your final chance to make your mark. To help you #makeaplan and get to the polls, we call your attention to the following online initiatives. The websites linked below are designed to increase turn-out at the polls and to ensure a positive voting experience for all of the electorate.

For your best source of voting information in Harris County (and to download a sample ballot), visit HarrisVotes.org, a service of the Harris County Clerk’s Election Division, whose commitment to S.A.F.E. voting will ensure a Secure, Accessible, Fair, and Efficient voting experience for all.

I Voted!

This “Future Voter” visited the polls in New Orleans in the 2016 presidential election. Vote early!

As we posted on Monday, early voting has begun in Harris County. It continues through October 30, allowing all registered voters plenty of time to make their voices heard!

As we conclude one full week of record activity at the polls, social media abounds with photos of proud friends, family, and famous folks who have already cast their ballots in the 2020 elections. No Instagram pic of a satisfied voter is complete without an “I Voted” sticker and a few words to rally all followers. Tack on an #ivoted hashtag, and the 21st century voting ritual is complete!

The Texas “I Voted” sticker is simple and no-frills — not big, bold, or bombastic as one might expect from the typically titanic Lone Star State. (Alaska, by contrast, which is geographically larger than Texas — and proud of it!— just revealed its 13 new “I Voted” stickers for 2020, which celebrate women and highlight native languages. Even Alaskans who vote from home can download digital stickers to proclaim their voting pride.) Instead, for a state as unique as Texas, our voting stickers are rather plain. However, the clean, classic design of our ballot badges still conveys the outsize honor we feel in being part of the democratic process. No one struts, swaggers, and swells with pride like a Texan!

Voters in other parts of the nation celebrate their visits to the polls in much more colorful and creative ways. Many of the stickers reflect the flavor, culture, and people of the regions they represent, highlighting features that make each state, city, county, or borough unique. Samples of our favorites are shown here, and links to even more stand-out stickers can been seen in the list below. Which is your favorite?

From Left to Right: New York City, Nashville, Louisiana

• The ‘I Voted’ Stickers You’re Wearing — From All 50 States (2018) — CNN

• Most Creative and Original ‘I Voted’ Stickers — U.S. Election Assistance Commission

• Download your Digital ‘I Voted’ Sticker — When We All Vote

• Why the ‘I Voted’ Sticker Matters (2012) — The Atlantic

• Houston Restaurants Offer Specials, Freebies to Folks Who Vote — Houstonia

• An ‘I Voted’ Sticker Can Get You Free Stuff, But It Shouldn’t (2016) — The New York Times

Early Voting in Harris County Begins!

Today, October 13, 2020, is the first day of early voting in Harris County. To find the early voting location near you, visit HarrisVotes.org where you will see a listing of all locations across the county, along with their posted hours of operation. Conveniently, you will also find the estimated wait time for any particular polling site simply by selecting your desired location on the map. Approximate wait times are updated regularly, in some cases, as frequently as every 15 minutes.

If your chosen early voting location has an especially long line, it will be identified with a red map marker. Nearby voting locations will be suggested for your convenience so you can avoid waiting in long lines. Locations with shorter wait times will be identified with green map markers. Look for these indicators to save time as you plan your visit to the polls.

Don’t forget to find your sample ballot online prior to visiting the polls. Wear your face mask, and bring an approved voter ID, as both are required by all who intend to cast a ballot.

Early voting ends on October 30. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the democratic process in this year’s elections.

If you prefer to vote from your car, be aware that Harris County will also offer drive-thru voting at ten locations around the Greater Houston Area:

• HCC West Loop South, 5601 West Loop South

• NRG Arena, 1 NRG Parkway

• Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church, 2025 West 11th St.

• Toyota Center, 1510 Polk St. 

• Kingdom Builders Center, 6011 West Orem Drive

• Houston Community College Alief Center, 13803 Bissonnet St.

• Houston Food Bank, 535 Portwall St.

• John Phelps Courthouse, 101 South Richey St., Pasadena

• Fallbrook Church, 12512 Walters Road

• Humble Civic Center, 8233 Will Clayton Parkway, Humble

For all other voting information in Harris County, visit the County Clerk online or call 713-755-6965. This Voting FAQ page may also provide the answers you seek. See you at the polls!

Are You Registered?

If you intend to vote in November’s general election and have not yet registered to vote, don’t miss out on your opportunity! Today, October 5, is the final day to register, but we at the Harris County Law Library have got you covered with a list of resources that can help you get that done.

Harris County Tax Assessor - If you are a Harris County resident, visit the website of the Harris County Tax Assessor. There, you will find information about eligibility requirements, ways to confirm your registration status, and ways to obtain a voter registration application.

VoteTexas.gov - Texas residents can confirm their voter registration status and learn how to register to vote, if they haven’t already done so on the VoteTexas.gov website from the Texas Secretary of State.

Vote411.org - The League of Women Voters Education Fund has created Vote411.org, a website that provides personalized voting information and voting information by state. It even has checklists for first-time voters.

Don't miss out on the chance to exercise your right to vote in the November 3rd election. Take part in democracy because #votingmatters. Register today!

Vote By Mail in Texas - News Roundup

Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

Quite a bit has happened since the last time we reported on the vote-by-mail issue that has been pending here in Texas. The issue is still winding its way through the court system, both at the state and federal levels. In case you’ve missed it, here are some of the latest developments that have occurred.

Harris County Will Send Mail-In Ballot Applications to All Harris County Residents

On August 25, the Harris County Clerk’s office announced that it will send an application for a mail-in ballot for the upcoming general election to every registered voter in the county. Keep in mind, though, that here in Texas, to cast a ballot by mail, a voter must satisfy one of the following conditions: be away from their county of residence on Election Day and the period designated for early voting; be sick or disabled; be 65 years of age or older on Election Day, or be incarcerated but otherwise eligible to vote. (These requirements are at the heart of the litigation surrounding this issue.) Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins defended his initiative, arguing that for those eligible to vote by mail, the absentee ballot method was the safest. He also asserted that his proposal had the potential of increasing the safety of those who must vote in person by decreasing the number of people physically going to the polls, thereby reducing the possibility of long lines and overcrowded polling locations.

Texas AG Says Not So Fast on Those Applications, Harris County

On August 31, the State of Texas, through Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, filed a petition in the Harris County District Court, seeking to enjoin the Harris County Clerk from sending mail-in ballot applications to every registered voter in Harris County. The petition alleged the County Clerk lacked the authority to execute his plan and that the proposal to send out unsolicited applications to all will result in confusion as to who is ultimately eligible to vote by mail. Harris County Republicans joined the litigation by filing a petition for a writ of mandamus requesting a halt to the clerk’s plans.

Harris County Clerk Hits Pause on Mail-In Ballot Application Initiative

As a result of the pending litigation, Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins, on September 1, indicated that he was going to hold off on his plan to send vote-by-mail applications to all registered Harris County voters. He was, however, still intending to send applications to everyone 65 and older and expressed that his office will be ready when he gets the green light from the court to send applications to all registered voters.

Texas Supreme Court Temporarily Puts the Brakes on Harris County Clerk’s Plan

In response to the lawsuit filed by the Harris County Republican Party, the Texas Supreme Court has ordered the Harris County Clerk to refrain from sending mail-in ballot applications to registered voters under the age of 65 who have not requested them. It appears, though, that the ultimate decision in this matter will depend upon the result of the lawsuit filed by the State of Texas in the 61st Judicial District Court in Harris County.

Meanwhile, Fifth Circuit Hears Arguments Over Texas Law Limiting Mail-In Ballots to Those 65 and Older

On August 31, in response to a lawsuit that was filed in April by the Texas Democratic Party, a panel of judges in the Fifth Circuit heard arguments in the case alleging that the Texas Election Code is discriminatory because it limits mail-in voting to those 65 years of age and older. The Texas Solicitor General argued that the law does not infringe upon anyone’s voting rights and was crafted with the prevention of voter fraud in mind. The Texas Democratic Party disagreed, arguing that limiting voting by mail to select group of people places an undue burden on others who want to exercise their right to vote.