Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

Early voting for primaries opens in Texas
By Bill Lancaster
The University Star (Texas State U.-San Marcos)
02/19/2008

(U-WIRE) SAN MARCOS, Texas — Early voting began in Hays County and throughout Texas Tuesday in the most hotly contested presidential primary in years.

Arizona Sen. John McCain seems to have the Republican nomination wrapped up, but Illinois Sen. Barack Obama carries only a slight lead over New York Sen. Hillary Clinton.

"We need a good leader," said Whitney Lemond, English junior. "Hopefully, the people who are voting are somewhat educated on who the candidates are."

Early voting goes through Feb. 29 at several locations around the county. People can vote at the LBJ Student Center Wednesday and Thursday.

Joyce Cowan, Hays County elections administrator, said voters registered in Hays County can cast their ballot at any early polling location.

"If (a voter) is headed to Austin for some reason, and we're open in Kyle, they can stop in Kyle and vote," Cowan said. "Any early voting site that is open in Hays County, any registered voter in Hays County can vote in them."

If one does not have their voter registration card, Cowan said election officials prefer a driver's license, but many forms of ID are acceptable, including student identification to vote.

"If you come here, and you don't have a picture ID, then I'm going to ask for at least two IDs, something to prove the physical address of where you are registered," Cowan said. "You've got to understand, we're trying to protect your vote."

Voters must choose to vote in the Republican or Democratic primary, but cannot cast a ballot in both, according to the Texas secretary of state's Web site. To be eligible to vote, a person must be a U.S. citizen residing in Texas who is 18 years old, not a felon and has not been declared mentally incompetent.

Cowan said if voters are registered in another county and now reside in Hays, they could still vote a limited ballot by going to the county election administrations office at 401-C Broadway St. in San Marcos. They will be required to register in Hays County at that time and be able to vote on statewide and federal candidates and issues.

Cowan said voting early could be an advantage because people can cast their ballots at their own convenience, and the lines tend to be shorter.

"You may get up in the morning and head out. You've got to go before your first class or get to your job, or you've got to vote in between. There could be lines," Cowan said. "There's no way of avoiding lines, but if you're ready to vote on the 19th and 20th, or this first week of early voting, I'm going to advise you to go ahead and vote."

She said the advantage is the vote is cast and the student does not have to worry about it anymore. Cowan said there have been cases of someone voting early, and then dying a day or two later.

Shane Renfro, English junior, said he had not decided to vote early, but would cast his ballot in his first presidential election, and students should participate.

"I believe in a collective consciousness, but it takes individuals to create a reaction on a mass scale," Renfro said. "I think if people would get informed about the issues, they could make a difference.

The county elections administration office will be open every day during the early voting period, including limited hours Saturday and Sunday.

Early voting will take place at the LBJ Student Center between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Other sites open at various times include the Kyle and Buda City Halls, Wimberley Community Center and Dripping Springs Independent School District office.

Detailed information is available on the Hays County elections Web site at elections.co.hays.tx.us.

Lemond, who is undecided between Texas Rep. Ron Paul and Obama, said she does not understand why everyone does not vote since all are affected.

"My dad always says, 'if you don't vote, you can't bitch about whoever's elected,'" LeMond said.

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