Early voting starts Monday, Oct. 21

Election in the all important presidential election is getting nearer and in-person early voting will start in less than two weeks.

The deadline to register to vote has passed and registered voters in Lavaca County who plan to cast their ballot early will have 12 consecutive days starting Monday, Oct. 21 to vote.

The Lavaca County elections administrator’s office has released a schedule of the days early voting will take place and include:

• Monday, Oct. 21 through Friday, Oct. 25 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

• Saturday, Oct. 26 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Sunday, Oct. 27 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 28 through Friday, Nov. 1 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

According to Lavaca County election administrator, Tenia Hudson all early voting will be held at the County Annex located at 412 N. Texana St. in Hallettsville.

Hudson reminds voters when they come to vote they should bring a photo identification of one of the following:

• Texas Driver 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; or

• United States Passport (book or card).

If a registered voter does not have photo ID, they can bring one of the following supporting forms of ID that can be presented if the voter does not possess an acceptable form of photo identification, and cannot reasonably obtain one:

• Copy or original of a government document that shows the voter’s name and an address, including the voter’s voter registration certificate;

• Copy of or original current utility bill;

• Copy of or original bank statement;

• Copy of or original government check;

• Copy of or original paycheck; or

• Copy of or original of (a) a certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certificate or (b) a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter’s identity (which may include a foreign birth document).

Registered voters who plan to vote on Election Day must vote at their precinct polling location. All eleven polling locations in Lavaca County will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Ballot by Mail Deadline

Registered voters in Lavaca County who plan on voting by mail must have a 2024 ballot by mail application on file with the Lavaca County Elections Department.

The deadline for turning in applications for Ballot by Mail is Friday, Oct. 25.

According to Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson, only specific reasons entitle a registered voter to vote early by mail (no longer called absentee voting). You may request a ballot by mail if you:

• Will be away from your county on Election Day and during the hours that early voting is conducted;

• Are sick or disabled; (as defined in Texas Election Code 82.002(a));

• Expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day;

• Are 65 years of age or older on Election Day; or

• Are confined in jail or Involuntary Civil Commitment.

For information on obtaining an application for Ballot by Mail, contact the Lavaca County election administrator’s office by going to the Lavaca County website, click on county offices, scroll down to elections and follow the link to application for ballot by mail. You can request an application in person or call the office at (361) 798-3594.

Lavaca County will only mail out a ballot by mail application if it is requested by the voter.