By james art Lubbock County elections saw record turnout in the first week of early voting, with no indication that things will slow as Election Day approaches Nov. 5, county officials said Monday.
In the seventh day of early voting Sunday, 62,375 Lubbock County voters cast ballots in person — about 31 percent of the county’s more than 198,000 registered voters, according to County Elections Administrator Roxsyn Stinson.
Early voting turnout remains the highest level Lubbock County has seen in recent memory, at least since 2004. In 2016, the last presidential election year not affected by COVID-19, about 43 000 voted early in the first week. Stinson points to the county’s population growth as the reason for the jump in this cycle.
Stinson said the increased voter turnout has led to long lines at some of the early voting locations.
“These people are coming forward,” Stinson told Lubbock County Commissioners Court during its hearing Monday. “Every morning if I’ve been in one of the United stores when they open, there’s a line there when they open that door.”
District Judge Curtis Parrish told the Avalanche-Journal that the lines are drawn.
“We move people. There were long lines, but those lines move very quickly,” Parrish said. “We’re really happy and proud of the people who are turning out to vote. We expect many more voters this week as we close early voting on Friday.”
Although Stinson expects to be able to open all 50 polling places on Election Day, she encouraged voters to show up before the last day of early voting to avoid inclement weather on Friday or a long wait on Nov. 5.
“It’s supposed to rain on Friday. I would get out early and vote instead of waiting until it rains,” Stinson said.
As of Monday, the National Weather Service in Lubbock is predicting a 20 percent chance of rain in the Hub City on Friday.
Where to vote early in Lubbock County
Early voting sections are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Friday:
- Lubbock County Elections Office — 1308 Crickets Ave., Lubbock
- United — 2630 Parkway Drive, Lubbock
- United — 401 Slide Road, Lubbock
- United — 6313 Fourth St., Lubbock
- United — 1701 50th St., Lubbock
- United — 2703 82nd St., Lubbock
- United — 8010 Frankford Ave., Lubbock
- United — 12815 Indiana Ave., Lubbock
- United — 11310 Slide Rd., Lubbock
- Amigos — 112 N. University Ave., Lubbock
- Market street — 4425 19th St., Lubbock
- Market street — 3405 50th St., Lubbock
- Market street — 4203 98th St., Lubbock
- The Civic Tower — 1314 Ave. K, Lubbock
- Texas Tech University Student Recreation Center — Hartford Avenue and Main Street, Lubbock
- Abernathy City Hall — 811 Ave. D, Abernathy
- Casey Administration Building — 501 Seventh St., Wolfforth
- Idaloo Community Centre — 202 W. Seventh St., Idalou
- New Deal Community Clubhouse — 309 S. Monroe Ave., New Deal
- Roosevelt ISD Gymnasium — 1301 County Road 3300, Lubbock
- Shallowater Community Centre — 900 Ave. H, Shallowater
- Slaton Community Clubhouse — 750 W. Garza St., Slaton
What to bring to the election
Voters will need ID to vote. Acceptable forms of photo ID include a Texas driver’s license, Texas election ID, Texas ID card, Texas handgun permit, US citizenship photo ID, US military photo ID, or passport USA.
If the voter does not have an ID and cannot reasonably obtain one, there are other options. They are listed at votelubbock.org or by calling 806-775-1339.
The latest Lubbock County election information is available at lubbockonline.com.