Back in May when the state was seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases, Governor Abbott signed an executive order allowing the primary run-off ​elections to be pushed back until July. Monday marked the first day of the early voting period.​

“This is our first election to go through with COVID-19. We’ve put the precautions in place and we hope the voters feel comfortable.​ We do ask the voters wear masks so they can feel safe as well,”​said Kathy Van Wolfe, McLennan County Elections Administrator.
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The polls are strictly following CDC guidelines, including putting voting machines six feet apart, taping waiting spots on the floor, cleaning machines after each use​ and placing hand sanitizer beside the entrance and exit doors.​
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“We hope to have no physical interaction between the voter and the poll worker. You’ll sign in using a sterilized pen. You​ will be given your access code, and you’ll take a pencil and use the eraser for the pencil to cast your votes on the electronic ​machines,”​ said Trudy Hancock, Brazos County Elections Administrator.

Despite the pandemic, mail-in ballots are only accepted under certain conditions. You must be 65 or older, disabled, or out of the county on election day or during early voting period.​ But remember you must fill out an application first.​
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“Those applications have a deadline of July 2nd, which is Thursday. If you don’t have an application, you can pick one up on our website,” said Van Wolfe.​
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“Just adhere to the social distancing and the hand sanitizer and know that we are doing everything possible to keep you safe,”​ said Hancock.
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Both McLennan County and Brazos County have all five of their county’s election locations still up and running. Those locations can be found on the specific​ county’s election website.​

Be mindful that the extra cleaning and social distancing could also so cause longer wait times, so​ early voting is a great way to avoid the crowds.​