Upcoming election information, changes

By Lacy Gross

With the uncertainty that COVID-19 has posed on the upcoming general election, recent changes to deadlines and procedural and polling place changes may add to the confusion. Cass County Clerk, Amy Varnell, wants voters to be informed of the changes in advance of upcoming deadlines.

“In years past, early voting takes place for two weeks prior to election day. However, Gov. Greg Abbott this year added an extra week of early voting”, Varnell said.

Early voting begins Oct. 13 through Oct. 30. Oct. 13 through Oct. 19, the hours to vote are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Oct. 20 and Oct. 27, the hours will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Early voting locations are in Linden at the Cass County Voting Building located at 227 E. Rush Street, across the street from the Linden Post Office. The location for early voting in Atlanta is now at the North East Texas Property Management building, the old Horne Enterprise building at the corner of Hwy 43 and 77. The physical address is 101 E. Pinecrest Dr.

Voter registration and polling place information can be obtained by calling the Cass County Tax Office as that office is the voter registrar. Call 903-756-5071. That information along with applications for ballots by mail and sample ballots can be found at www.co.cass.tx.us. The Journal-Sun will publish samples as well.

Registered voters who are 65 and older, disabled or those who will be out of the county during early voting and Election Day can request a ballot by mail. Per the Texas Election Code, those requesting a ballot by mail due being out of the county must provide an out-of-county address for the ballot to be mailed. Oct. 23 is the last day applications for a Ballot by Mail can be received. An application can be mailed, faxed or emailed. However, if you fax or email the application, the clerk’s office must receive the original, hard copy of the application within four business days. Hand delivery of applications are accepted, but not after Oct. 13.

“For the upcoming election only, the governor has issued a proclamation allowing a voter who votes by mail to hand-deliver their ballot. One may only deliver their ballot, not multiple ballots”, Varnell said.

To submit hand-delivered ballots, they must be placed in the envelope that was received with the ballot—identification must be presented, and roster signed. The deadline to deliver the marked mail-in ballot is 7 p.m. on Nov. 3. Ballots returned by mail must be post marked by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3, Election Day.

“We encourage you when you receive your ballot, mark your ballot and return it as soon as possible so that we will receive it by 7 p.m. on election night”, Varnell said, “If you receive an application for ballot by mail and did not request an application, those applications did not come from the Clerk. Those are sent out by political parties and organizations. The Clerk’s office nor the voter registrar’s office sends text messages regarding voting by mail or registering to vote.”

Two cities in Cass County have ballot initiatives in November. Queen City will put before the voters an initiative to allow alcohol sales, and the City of Linden will vote for city council members.

In 2017 the Texas Legislature eliminated straight party voting, effective 2020”, Varnell said, “Voters must consider each item on the ballot.”

The last day to register to vote is Oct. 5.