Here’s what Brazoria County voters need to know about voting on Nov. 5.
What readers need to know
Polls on Nov. 5 will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., according to Brazoria County’s website. Those in line by 7 p.m. will be able to vote, while those arriving after 7 p.m. will be turned away.
There are nearly 40 polling locations available to voters in Brazoria County, according to the county’s website. Those casting ballots on Election Day can do so at any polling location, as Brazoria County is in the state’s countywide polling place program, according to the Texas secretary of state’s website.
This map may not be comprehensive.
What to bring
Voters should bring one of seven approved forms of identification when going to the polls, according to the Vote Texas website. Those forms of ID are:
- Texas drivers license
- Texas election ID certificate
- Texas personal ID card
- Texas handgun license
- U.S. citizenship certificate with photo
- U.S. military ID card
- U.S. passport
- Certified domestic birth certificate or court admissible birth document
- Current utility bill
- Bank statement
- Government check
- Paycheck
- Government document with your name and address including your Voter Registration Certificate
Along with a presidential and U.S. Senate race, all 36 U.S. House of Representative seats in Texas are on the ballot, according to Brazoria County’s sample ballots.
On the state level, the Texas railroad commissioner, several Texas Supreme Court seats, as well as dozens of court races, several Texas House and Texas Senate races, are on the ballot, according to Brazoria County.
At the county and local level, Brazoria County voters can vote on Brazoria County sheriff, tax assessor-collector, county commissioners, justice of the peace positions, constables and drainage district positions.
For school districts, voters can cast a ballot on whether or not to approve a $380 million bond for Alvin ISD, which Community Impact has reported will go toward new facilities for the district.
At the polls
At polling locations, election officials will have cones 100 feet away from the polling place. Campaigning within that 100 feet is not allowed, including posting or using political signs or literature relating to a candidate, political party, or measure, according to the Vote Texas website.
Cellphones, as well as cameras, tablets, laptops, sound recorders or other devices that can communicate wirelessly are not allowed, according to the Vote Texas website. Such devices can not be used within 100 feet of voting stations. Recording sound or images is also not allowed in that range.
Outside of police officers, firearms are generally not allowed in polling locations, according to the Vote Texas website. Those who wear apparel relating to a candidate, measure or political party may be asked to cover up or remove such apparel before coming into the building.
What else?
Early voting totals for Brazoria County came in slightly lower than 2020’s totals, with more than 138,000 voters casting ballots from Oct. 21 to Nov. 1, according to county data. In 2020, the county saw more than 140,000 cast ballots early.
Both years were substantial increases compared to 2016, which saw less than 102,000 people vote early, according to county data.
For maps on precincts, sample ballots and deadline information, visit Brazoria County’s election website.
For up-to-date results on local races, visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide after polls close.
