Texans will go to polls in July amid coronavirus. Here’s how to stay safe
Voting begins Monday for the July 14 Texas primary runoff election, which also includes a city of Fort Worth election on the crime district sales tax.
Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughs is calling on voters to cast their ballots early.
“Despite COVID-19, the drumbeat of our democracy has marched on,” she said in a statement Wednesday morning. “I strongly encourage all eligible Texans to set aside time now so they can be prepared to cast a ballot during the early voting period or on Election Day.
“It is essential to our democracy that Texans are able to safely and confidently cast their vote.”
Early voting for the election runs from June 29-July 10, but polls will be closed July 3 and July 4 because of the Independence Day holiday.
On the ballot
Tarrant election officials urge voters to review what’s on the ballot before heading to the polls so they can get in and out quickly, limiting potential exposure to COVID-19.
Here’s what will be on the July 14 runoff and local election ballot in Tarrant County.
▪ Democrats will choose between Mary “MJ” Hegar and Royce West for U.S. Senate; Kim Olson and Candace Valenzuela for U.S. Rep. District 24; Roberto R. “Beto” Alonzo and Chrysta Castañeda for railroad commissioner; and John Wright and Pedro “Pete” Munoz for County Constable Precinct 5.
▪ Republicans will choose between Elizabeth Beach and Brian Walker for the 2nd Court of Appeals District Place 7 and Jonathan Grummer and John Brieger for Precinct Chair 3990.
▪ Fort Worth residents will vote whether to continue a half-cent sales tax for police for 10 years.
Be safe
The Secretary of State’s Office has released an eight-page checklist of “minimum recommended health protocols” for voters and election officials, noting that voters may want to bring their own hand sanitizer, mask and stylus.
The state agency also has been working with election officials to set up proper safety protocols.
Anyone eligible for an absentee ballot who wants to vote by mail must request the ballot by July 2.
Hughs also stressed that voters need to bring a photo ID to the polls.
The seven state-approved photo IDs: Texas driver’s license, Texas election identification certificate, Texas personal identification card, Texas license to carry a handgun, U.S. military ID card with photo, U.S. citizenship certificate with photo, and U.S. passport.
Voters who don’t have one of those forms of ID, and can’t reasonable obtain one of them, may fill out a Reasonable Impediment form and show a different form of ID, which will still let them cast a ballot.
To look at a sample ballot, visit tarrantcounty.com/elections.
For information about voting, call the Tarrant County Elections Center at 817-831-8683 or go online to VoteTexas.gov.
This story was originally published June 24, 2020 at 8:30 AM.
