Rayford Road will have a new early voting location for the upcoming May 9 election following approval by the Montgomery County Commissioners Court on March 24.

Paul Cote, president of the Rayford Road Civic Association, said that after communicating the needs of the area to county election officials, an early voting location was discussed and approved.

"[County Judge Craig Doyal] assured us it would happen this election, and personally, I think many people will be excited for the opportunity to vote," Cote said. "I don't recall any other times of having an early voting location in the past 20 years east of [I-45]."

The location that was approved by the court is Generations Church at 405 Rayford Road. Early voting will take place from April 27 to May 5. The Montgomery County Road Bond election is May 9 and residents must be registered to vote by April 9.

Cote said it was important for residents of the Rayford Road Corridor area to use the new early voting location for the upcoming road bond election to help establish a permanent voting location in the future.

"This will result in a significant change in activity towards voting and will promote better access," he said. "Based on the amount of traffic in the area, it's important for people to have access to polling locations. This will allow for that."

The next RRCA meeting is on April 9 and is open to any resident who would like more information on up the upcoming road bond election, according to RRCA officials.