Why this South Texas county had to close half of its early voting sites

Hi, folks! I’m Votebeat Texas reporter Natalia Contreras, here to bring you the latest election news.

Gosh. The Texas legislative session was over months ago and we’re still talking about it. We’re also already seeing some of the unintended consequences of the election laws that were passed. I hope you get a chance to read my reporting from San Patricio County and a new law will leave voters in four rural towns without an early voting location.

Elsewhere in the state, at least one election official told me that because of the new law, House Bill 1217, she won’t be opening any additional early voting locations any time soon. Election officials keep telling me they want to expand voting access but they simply can’t afford it.

If you’re an election official who is struggling to meet the new mandates, please send me an email.

In other news, I attended poll worker training this week in Mathis (s/o to Pam Hill, San Patricio County elections administrator for allowing me to go observe). If you’re a voter reading this newsletter, I highly encourage you to sign up to work the polls. I learned so much!

Poll workers are spending hours to ensure they understand our ever changing laws, while also making their best effort to improve voter experience as they cast their ballots. And they’re always looking for more people to help. Here’s a list of county election officials if you want to get more information about how to get involved. There’s still time! We have a primary, a primary runoff and other elections ahead of November.

I am still taking tips and suggestions for 2024 election coverage. Write a note at ncontreras@votebeat.org

Don’t forget to forward this newsletter to a friend! They can sign up for free here.

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