Voting will continue through Friday, November 1, at Hill County’s three early voting locations, and those planning to cast ballots on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5, will report to their precinct’s polling place.
Early voting continues at the Hill County Covington Street Annex in Hillsboro, the Precinct 1 Annex in Whitney (Huron) and the Hubbard Civic Center. The Hillsboro site will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Friday, and the Huron and Hubbard locations are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Election Day polling places are featured on page 8 of this edition. Voters unsure of their voting precinct can find that information on their voter registration certificate. Note that voting precincts and commissioner/constable precincts are not the same.
Through Saturday, October 26, 27% of Hill County voters had cast early ballots. Hill County has 3,337 more registered voters this year compared to the last presidential election, for a total of 26,962.
Bosque County voters can cast early ballots at the Election Administration Building, 104 West Morgan Street in Meridian, or the Clifton Civic Center, in the Judge’s Chamber Room at 403 West 3rd Street in Clifton. Bosque County early voting hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Friday, November 1.
Voters will make selections in several federal and state races, including president and U.S. senator and representative, state railroad commissioner, Texas Supreme Court justices and Court of Criminal Appeals judges.
There is only one contested race at the county level, with incumbent Scotty Hawkins, a Republican, and Democrat Pollyanna Thibodeau running for Hill County Precinct 3 commissioner.
At the state level, incumbent Republican Angelia Orr and Democrat Albert Hunter are both seeking the District 13 state representative seat.
For Hill County voters, incumbent Republican Jake Ellzey is running to continue serving as the District 6 U.S. representative, and Democrat John Love III is challenging him for the seat.
Bosque County voters will have a choice of Republican John Carter, the incumbent, or Democrat Stuart Whitlow in the race for District 31 U.S. representative.
Electioneering Laws
Voters are reminded that the state has electioneering laws that prohibit campaigning within 100 feet of a polling place. This means that voters cannot wear clothing or other items that publicize candidates, political parties or measures, even if they are not currently on the ballot.
Firearms, including handguns, are also prohibited at polling places, according to Texas law.
Cell phones, cameras, computers and other devices that can record sound or images cannot be used within 100 feet of voting stations where ballots are marked. Election officers may require voters to deactivate their phones once inside the polling location.
According to the Texas Secretary of State, election clerks have the authority to use their discretion to ensure the safety and efficiency of the early voting and election day polling place and the surrounding 100-foot area.
Voter ID
Voters are reminded that under Texas law, those who possess one of the seven acceptable forms of photo identification must present that ID at the polls when voting in person. They include:
• 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
• United States Passport (book or card)
With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Certificate, which does not expire, for voters aged 18-69, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired no more than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place.
For voters aged 70 or older, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired for any length of time if the identification is otherwise valid.
Voters who do not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of the seven approved forms of photo ID may fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration at the polls and present an alternative form of ID, such as a utility bill, bank statement, government check or a voter registration certificate.
Those with questions about voting can visit the Texas Secretary of State’s votetexas.gov website or contact the Hill County Elections Administration Office at 254-582-4072 or the Bosque County Elections Office at 254-435-6650.
Hill County also offers the “TextMyGov” service that provides quick access to frequently asked questions about voting. Simply text “Hi” to 254-266-6442 to get started.
The Lakelander 