As the Nov. 6 general election draws closer, the second week of early voting has continued with record-breaking numbers in Harris County. In the first eight days of polling, Harris County saw 429,186 in person early voters at its 37 locations compared to 376,761 in the same time frame during the 2008 election.
With nearly 60,000 mailed ballots returned, nearly a quarter of the total 1.96 million registered voters in the county have cast their votes, according to the county clerk's office. The reason for the high turn out may have to do with changes in redistricting for the election year, which has changed voting locations for many residents, said Stan Stanart, county clerk.
"People can vote [early] at any location, it doesn't matter where they live," Stanart said. "As long as they live in Harris County we welcome them to any of the 37 locations. I want to emphasize how important it is, particularly in the general election, to vote early. There will be long lines."
The busiest day for early voting so far was Oct. 29, totaling 66,359 votes plus nearly 4,000 mailed ballots. The locations which accommodated the most voters were Champion Forest Baptist Church with 3,642 in person voters and the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center with more than 3,200 voters.
"By voting early, [voters] can avoid any conflict of worrying about where [to] go to vote," Stanart said in a press release. "It's easier to participate in the process by simply voting early."
Tuesday, Oct. 30 is the final day to request a ballot by mail. Early voting locations throughout the county will be open from 7 a.m.–7 p.m. every day until Friday, Nov. 2.
There are three polling locations serving Cy–Fair, but residents can cast their ballots at any location in the county during early voting:
Lone Star College–University Park, 20515 Hwy. 249, Houston: 13,519 early votes as of Oct. 29
Cypress Top Park, 26026 Hempstead Highway, Cypress: 22,987 early votes as of Oct. 29
Jersey Village City Hall, 16327 Lakeview Drive, Jersey Village: 13,815 early votes as of Oct. 29
