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Travis County opens 20 early voting locations for July 14 runoff election as vote-by-mail deadline nears
Early voting for the July 14 primary runoff election, which includes the high-profile contest to determine which Democrat will face off against Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in November, begins Monday.
The slate also includes congressional races and a number of local offices that were not settled during the regular primary, as well as the special election to fill former state Sen. Kirk Watson's seat. (KUT has a full list of candidates.)
The runoff was supposed to take place last month but was postponed due to the coronavirus.
Rescheduled primary runoff elections do not typically see high voter turnout, but the July 14 contest may be the exception, if the mail-in ballot totals are any indication.In-person voting
Travis County has set up 20 polling locations for early voting and 100 for election day. Both Travis County and Williamson County are maintaining live maps so voters can see what kind of lines are at each location before they go.
Officials are urging people to wear face masks and keep their distance from each other.
Early voting for the July 14 election has started! Polls are open Monday-Friday 7AM-7PM and Saturday 12-6 PM📍Find a… https://t.co/eFqewxERMH— Travis County Clerk (@Travis County Clerk) 1593432068.0
Mail-in voting
The Travis County clerk has received more than 28,000 applications for mail-in ballots so far, which approaches the record set in the 2016 presidential election, and the deadline to apply is still a few days away.
Applications must be received by July 2.
Texas only allows mail-in ballots in specific, limited cases: for those over 65, with a disability, out of town during an election, or in jail.
A flurry of recent lawsuits have attempted to expand voting by mail in light of the pandemic, but judges so far have ruled that fear of contracting the virus is not a valid reason to apply.
But while the rulings stipulate voters cannot claim fear of contracting the coronavirus as a disability—defined by the state election code as a "sickness of physical condition" that could injure the voter's health should she vote in person—when applying for a mail-in ballot, it also makes clear that election officials can't question what that disability is.
Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir wrote in a May 21 Facebook post that her office "has no legal authority to administratively require voters to verify their disability at the time the application is submitted."
In response to a question asking if fear of COVID qualifies as a disability, DeBeauvoir explained: "A voter can take into consideration aspects of their health and their health history that are physical conditions in deciding whether, under the circumstances, to apply to vote by mail because of disability."
DeBeauvoir said her office has added temporary staff and additional scanning equipment to process the applications and mail out ballots in time.
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Popular
Tito's Handmade Vodka
Show your love for Tito's and for the community this year with a wide selection of not that ugly, uglyish, ugly, uglier, and ugliest holiday sweaters.
There's lots choose from, and plenty of accessories like scarves and socks, plus gear for your dog, too.
All of the items can be purchased online or at the Love, Tito’s Retail Store in Austin, TX. 100% of all net proceeds from online or in-store purchases go to one of the nonprofits we’ve teamed up with.
Click here to see the entire collection in the Tito's store.
🗓 All weekend
Check out this highly anticipated art exhibition with illuminated art along Waller Creek. Tickets are free and the event includes food vendors, dazzling lights, live music, and hands-on activities
All weekend 6 p.m - 10 p.m | 📍Waterloo Park
This iconic holiday tradition lights up for the first time this holiday season starting this weekend! Reserve your spot for an enchanting light and sound performance, delicious hot cocoa, sweet treats, and some overall fun with your friends or family. The show runs till January 6th.
6 p.m and 9 p.m | 📍Mozart's Coffee Roasters - 3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
🗓 Saturday
This fitness event is free and open to the public. Get your morning started right with a "Fitness in the park" class for kickboxing! The class will be led by certified instructors and is a great way to get a cardio workout in while also honing your self-defense skills.
10 a.m - 11 a.m | 📍 Metz Park
Support local LBGTQ+ and female artists at this outdoor market with over 150 vendors. Get your holiday shopping out of the way at this event, with vendors for food trucks, handmade goods, raffles, hands on workshops and activities, and more.
Did someone say cheese?! If you're like me and always willing to get your hands on a bowl of mac and cheese, then this event is for you. Check out the Mac and Cheese festival happening this weekend to decide which vendor has. the best mac and cheese for yourself, and enjoy the bar with creative cocktails while you're at it. Tickets start at $45.
11 a.m - 3 p.m | 📍Lantana Place - 7415 Southwest Parkway
