Stephens County continues to see steady numbers as citizens are exercising their right to vote.
As of Friday, October 23, the voting total in Stephens County was 2,040 voters. Including the Ballots By Mail, the county’s total voter was approximately 40.48% of the 5,672 registered voters in Stephens County in the two weeks of early voting, according to the Texas Secretary of State website.
“So far, Stephens County has seen 2,040 voters,” Christie Latham, Stephens County Election Administrator said. “When you compare that to the last gubernatorial election, we have about 200 more voters, but that’s with one less day. When you compare the statistic to the 2016 presidential election, we are about the same, with one less day, plus we have all of the comings week to go. I expect it to be quite a bit higher for early voting compared to the past two federal elections.”
Below is a breakdown for the first few weeks of early voting in Stephens County, as of Friday, October 23.
Tuesday, October 13: 396
voters
Wednesday, October 14: 304 voters
Thursday, October 15: 288 voters
Friday, October 16: 285 voters
Monday, October 19:166 voters
Tuesday, October 20:184 voters
Wednesday, October 21: 153 voters
Thursday, October 22: 87 voters
Friday, October 23: 177 voters
The final week of early voting will be from Monday, October 26 through Friday, October 30 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day.
With this year’s election being a joint election with the City of Breckenridge and Stephens County, Stephens County officials are providing two 12 hour days of voting. Those days will be:
Wednesday, October 28 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m
Thursday, October 29 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
There are significant changes to the Ballot By Mail procedures for this upcoming election. A voter will be allowed to return their ballot in person to the Early Voting Clerk, the Tax Assessor’s office.
The voter must personally return the ballot, as ballots may not be delivered by another person. The voter must show a government-issued photo identification and must sign an affidavit upon returning the ballot by mail.
Citizens are also taking advantage of Stephens
County’s new voting equipment, new software includes a DS200 precinct scanner and an expressvote ballot marking device.
The county received the opportunity to take advantage of the “Help Make America Vote” grant and various election security grants that are provided by the state and the federal government.
The grants were only available until the end of this year. The grants accounted for 80% of the total amount for the update, and Stephens County paid 20% or approximately $14,000 to update election security. The cost also included training officials for proper use of the new system.
The updated machines will work in conjunction with the Americans with Disabilities Act and will assist those with disabilities vote in the upcoming election.
Citizens can vote in person until the general election on Tuesday, November 3.
