County Confirms Increase In Early Voting, No One Turned Away
Tuesday night, Texas voters will decide the fate of nine constitutional amendments. On the line: veteran tax exemptions, the creation of a state water fund, and whether San Elizario will become its own city.
This will also be the first election in Texas with the new voter ID law in effect. Proponents say it prevents fraud, opponents call it discriminatory.
Under the new law, a voter must present either a driver’s license, personal ID card, concealed handgun license, U.S. passport, military ID, or citizenship certificate with a photo.
An ID expired more than 60 days will not be accepted.
In El Paso County, the two weeks of early voting have been uneventful. Javier Chacon, the county elections administrator, tells ABC-7 no voters were turned away because they didn’t comply with the new law.
Chacon said approximately 5,200 voters turned out and only three voters had to fill out provisional ballots. Considering that’s a nearly 60 percent increase in early voting compared to two years ago, Chacon said he is very pleased with the results.
“I want to thank the voters of El Paso for making the transition smooth and complying with it,” said Chacon, “There were some concerns, but once we explained the process and the procedures we have to go through, they were very accommodating.”
El Paso State Senator, Jose Rodriguez, is against the new law. He was unavailable for comment Monday, but someone in his office told ABC-7 these constitutional elections tend to draw only the most dedicated voters, who generally have correct identification forms.
