With only two days of early voting left ahead of the Nov. 6 midterm election, daily poll turnouts in Lubbock County have been high, sending a non-partisan message: vote.
Dorothy Kennedy, Lubbock County elections administrator, said it is important for voters to head to the polls early as wait times will be less, and college students registered in a different county will have the option to use a limited ballot.
Outside of a voting station at the recreation center on Texas Tech’s campus. Photo Credit: Lucinda Holt
“It’s a way for you to have your voice heard,” Kennedy said, “and every election is important because people that are elected now are the ones who will affect college students’ pocketbooks the most as they go forward.”
Limited ballots can be filled out between the hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. only at the Lubbock County Elections Department, 1308 Crickets Ave.
A valid Texas ID is required for the limited ballot, which will allow people to vote on races that are the same between the two Texas counties, she said.
As of Oct. 31, a total of 55,060 people in Lubbock County turned out to place their vote, according to Lubbock County election numbers.
To make voting more accessible for those who are unable to drive, both the Lubbock County Democratic Party headquarters and the Lubbock County Republican Party are offering rides for both early voting and election day.
Sue Weninger, who has volunteered with the Lubbock County Democratic Party headquarters since 2002, said she keeps a list of volunteers with her at all times in an effort to assist to connect voters with volunteers in their area.
Inside the voting station at the Texas Tech recreation center. Photo Credit: Lucinda Holt
“We need every single vote that we can get,” she said, “and if it’s a matter of getting someone to the polls to vote we’ll do that.”
Lubbock County Republican Party Chairman Steve Evans said they too have volunteers waiting to assist with rides on a case-by-case basis.
“We have to cast every single vote that we can turnout,” he said, “because we’re impacting a statewide election, that’s why it’s so important that everyone heads to the polls.”
In what Evans calls a “high-energy” race, incumbent U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is being challenged by Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-El Paso) in an election which is not impacted by local numbers, but by the popular vote.
And while local numbers are helpful in predicting local elections, every vote in the race for senate is critical as O’Rourke’s campaign has generated a lot of energy in what Evans said were hardened Democrat areas such as Dallas, Houston and El Paso.
“I’ve looked at the state research data,” he said, “and what it shows is there was a lot of energy generated by the Democrats – the so-called ‘blue wave’ – but what it did is it really fired up the Republican base.”
Weninger spoke of the same energy as she said this election is particularly exciting for her as there are more Democratic candidates on the ballot.
“So often the democratic candidates have just failed to fill candidates in a lot of these races,” Weninger said. “Last year there was nobody in the Congressional District 19. I hope this is more normal in that we have democratic candidates in all these races.”
Voting signs outside the voting station at the recreation center on Texas Tech’s campus. Photo Credit: Lucinda Holt
Incumbent Jodey Arrington is being challenged by Democratic candidate Miguel Levario for the Congressional District 19 seat.
With Democratic candidates taking to block walking for this election, Weninger said people have been able to relate to the candidates better than ever before. With more young people choosing to participate, she said she has developed a new hope for the future.
For Evans, the emotion behind the Senate race is also a reason why people need to check their ballots thoroughly before submitting their vote as other counties have seen errors in their equipment in regard to straight-ticket voting.
While places like Tarrant County has been seeing an issue with their Hart eSlate machines, Evans said Lubbock County has touchscreen machines, eliminating the risk of of having votes deselected on a straight ticket.
To be safe, Evans said all voters should review the ballot to ensure every vote is accurate. If any questions should arise, election judges at polls are there to assist while maintaining the privacy of the voter.
“We’ve got to get out and vote,” he said, “and make sure that your vote is counted the way you want. That’s the two most important things throughout this election.”
For more information on who is in the General Election, visit https://www.votetexas.gov/voting/what.html.
For information on rides or polling places contact:
Lubbock County Elections Office: 775-1339
Lubbock County Democratic Party Headquarters: 749-8683
Lubbock County Republican Party: 797-3197
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