The Nov. 5 election marks the first election since Harris County received a “successful” status from the Texas secretary of state’s office for its countywide polling place program Aug. 5. The countywide polling place program allows eligible voters to cast their ballots at any of the more than 700 polling locations countywide both during early voting and on election day. Previously, Harris County voters could cast their vote at any polling location countywide during early voting; however, they were restricted to their assigned voting precinct’s polling location on election day. The program was first implemented in Harris County for the May 4 joint election. According to County Clerk Diane Trautman, Harris County is the largest county in the country to have executed a successful election in which voters can cast a ballot at any polling location. For more information, visit www.harrisvotes.com.