As I type this, Travis County almost certainly has blown past the early vote totals from the previous gubernatorial election, in 2006. The county reports that by the end of yesterday, 98,532 had voted early, either in person or via mail. That’s just shy of the 98,863 that voted early four years ago, and we still have two days of early voting to go.
Most early voting locations (including mobile voting) will be open 7am-7pm today and Friday. Election Day is Nov. 2.
The Randalls at Research and Braker has been the most active polling place, with 10,378. The least activity has been in East Austin: Only 689 have voted at the Carver Library over the 10-day period.
Why vote early? The main reason is convenience: While voters will be required to cast their ballots at their neighborhood precinct on Tuesday, early voters can go to any early voting location, as long as it is in the county in which they are registered. That makes it much easier to work into your schedule, and you’ll be less likely to have to wait in line.
Go vote!
This article appears in October 22 • 2010.