Harris County voters may notice changes during the next general election.
Commissioners Court unanimously approved a request by the county clerk for state approval to launch the Countywide Polling Place Program for the November election and subsequent elections. Approval of the program would mean voters could cast their ballots at any county polling location on Election Day. In the past, voters could vote at countywide polling places only during early voting.
A trial run of the program kicked off in March when Texas Secretary of State David Whitley approved Harris County as one of six Texas counties with a population of more than 100,000 to participate in the Countywide Polling Place Program for the May 4, 2019, election. Whitley will now decide whether to approve Harris County to continue the program for all subsequent elections.
With more than 2 million registered voters, Harris County is the largest county in the country to implement the program.
“The voters of Harris County have made it clear that a Countywide Polling Place Program would have a positive impact on elections, and I am confident that the transition to a Countywide Polling Place Program will be successful,” said Harris County Clerk Diane Trautman.
Lubbock County was the first Texas county to participate in the program during the November 2006 general election. That number has now grown to 52 counties designated as “successful” under the countywide polling place program.
For more information, visit www.HarrisVotes.com.