Early voting begins Oct. 24

By Lindsey Vaculin

General Manager 

Early voting for the Nov. 8 election will begin Oct. 24 across Milam County.

Milam County residents have four options for early voting: Milam County Clerk’s office, 107 W. Main in Cameron; Buckholts Community Center, 110 W. Main Street in Buckholts; Rockdale Regional Juvenile Justice Center, 696 North FM 487 in Rockdale; and Thorndale VFW, 304 East Moerbe in Thorndale.

The Milam County Clerk’s Office will be open Oct. 24-28 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 29 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Oct. 31 through Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Buckholts Community Center will be open Oct. 24-28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Oct. 31 through Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Rockdale Regional Juvenile Justice Center will be open Oct. 24-28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Oct. 31 through Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Thorndale VFW will be open Oct. 24-28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Oct. 31 through Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

According to the Office of the Texas Secretary of State voters who do not possess and cannot reasonably obtain a form of approved photo ID now have additional options when voting in person. 

Currently, Texas voters who do not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of the seven forms of approved photo ID have additional options when casting their ballots. As provided by court order, if a voter does not possess and is not reasonably able to obtain one of the seven forms of approved photo ID, the voter may vote by (1) signing a declaration at the polls explaining why the voter is reasonably unable to obtain one of the seven forms of approved photo ID, and (2) providing one of various forms of supporting documentation.

Supporting documentation can be a certified birth certificate (must be an original), a valid voter registration certificate, a copy or original of one of the following: current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck, or other government document that shows the voter’s name and an address, although government documents which include a photo must be original and cannot be copies. If a voter meets these requirements and is otherwise eligible to vote, the voter will be able to cast a regular ballot in the election.

The seven forms of approved photo ID are: Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Personal ID card issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas concealed handgun license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Election ID Certificate issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety; U.S. Military ID card with your photo; U.S. Certificate of Citizenship or U.S. Certificate of Naturalization with your photo; U.S. Passport book or card. 

With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, the approved photo ID must be current or have expired no more than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place.

Voters with a disability may continue to apply with the county registrar for a permanent exemption to showing approved photo ID (which now may be expired no more than four years) at the polls. Also, voters who (1) have a consistent religious objections to being photographed or (2) do not present one of the seven forms of approved photo ID because of certain natural disasters as declared by the President of the United States or the Texas Governor, may continue apply for a temporary exemption to showing approved photo ID at the polls.

Voters with questions about how to cast a ballot in these elections can call 1-800-252-VOTE.