Abbott Extends Early Voting for November

Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday extended the early voting period for the Nov. 3 election by nearly a week to give Texans more time to vote during the pandemic. Under the governor’s decision, in-person early voting will begin on Oct. 13 and continue through Oct. 30. 

The proclamation also expands the period in which completed mail-in ballots may be delivered in person. Currently, mail ballots may be hand delivered only on Election Day. Abbott’s order allows in-person delivery every day of the early voting period.  

“As we respond to COVID-19, the State of Texas is focused on strategies that preserve Texans’ ability to vote in a way that also mitigates the spread of the virus,” said Abbott. “By extending the early voting period and expanding the period in which mail-in ballots can be hand-delivered, Texans will have greater flexibility to cast their ballots, while at the same time protecting themselves and others from COVID-19.”

Abbott also provided a longer window for early voting prior to the July 14 primary runoff election. 

In the meantime, Democrats still hold out hope of a reversal of the rules regarding vote-by-mail eligibility. So far, they have been unsuccessful in convincing the courts that everyone should have access to it during the pandemic.