Early voting begins Oct. 21, with Election Day on Nov. 5. Residents throughout Bastrop County will have the chance to vote for races ranging from County Commissioner Precinct 1 to County Constable Precinct 2, a possible addition of Emergency Services Department No. 3, and 13 charter amendments, including a potential change to misdemeanor marijuana charges.

Key dates

• Oct. 21: Early in-person voting begins
• Oct. 25: Last day to apply to vote by mail
• Nov. 1: Early in-person voting ends
• Nov. 5: Election Day
• Nov. 5 at 7 p.m.: Deadline for voters to return voted mail-in ballots
• Nov. 12: Deadline for mail-in ballot voters to cure defects

At the polls

Bastrop County participates in the Countywide Polling Place Program, which allows voters to use any polling location within their county rather than having to stay within their precinct.

Early voting locations include:

• Smithville Recreation Center, 106 Royston St., Smithville
• Bastrop County Cedar Creek Annex, 5785 FM 535, Cedar Creek
• Elgin Recreation Center, 361 N. Hwy. 95, Elgin

Early voting locations will be open during the following dates and times:

• Oct. 21-25: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Oct. 26, Oct. 28-Nov. 1: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Oct. 27: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Election Day locations include:

• Wyldwood Baptist Church, 398 Union Chapel Road, Cedar Creek
• Aqua Water Supply, 415 Old Austin Hwy., Bastrop
• River Valley Christian Fellowship, 1224 W. Hwy. 71, Bastrop
• Bastrop County Courthouse Annex, 804 Pecan St., Bastrop
• Paige Community Center, 107 S. Main St., Paige
• Bastrop County Community Center, 15 American Legion Drive, Bastrop
• Smithville Rec Center, 106 Royston St., Smithville
• Rosanky Community Center, 135 Main St., Rosanky
• Bastrop County Cedar Creek Annex, 5785 FM 535, Cedar Creek
• Red Rock Community Center, 114 Red Rock Road, Red Rock
• Elgin Recreation Center, 361 N. Hwy. 95, Elgin
• Bastrop County Road and Bridge Precinct 4, 1133 Dildy Drive, Elgin
• Faith Lutheran Church, 230 Waco St., McDade
• Family Worship Center, 2425 FM 1704, Elgin
• Bastrop County ESD No. 2, Station 4, 1432 N. Hwy. 95, Bastrop

What you should know

Those interested in which races affect Bastrop County voters can check the September edition of Community Impact, or visit the Community Impact Voter Guide. A sample ballot can also be found on the Bastrop County Elections website.

According to data from the Bastrop County Elections office and the Texas Association of Counties, about 55% of Bastrop County residents were registered to vote as of Oct. 10—up by 10% from mid-September.

Residents can check their voter registration status on the Texas secretary of state’s website; however, the last day to register or update voter registration was Oct. 7.

More details

When voting, residents must present a photo ID, which can include one of the following:

• Texas driver’s license
• Texas Election Identification Certificate
• Texas personal identification card
• 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

Texans without an approved form of ID can sign a reasonable impediment declaration at the polling location and use any of the following forms of identification:

• Birth certificate
• Current utility bill
• Bank statement
• Government check
• Paycheck
• Government document that shows the voter’s name and an address—including the voter’s registration certificate

What else?

According to the Texas secretary of state's website, those voting can bring written notes or sample ballots; however, the use of mobile phones and other wireless devices are banned within 100 feet of all voting stations.

Guns are also prohibited, as well as the promotion of any candidate or ballot item within 100 feet of the entrance to the polling location.

Stay tuned

Community Impact will continue to cover Bastrop County elections and provide election night coverage, results and more.