Early Voting - What Woodlands Residents Need to Know

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Election Day for fall of 2021 is slated for November 2, and the expanded borders of The Woodlands - with the addition of Creekside Village - from Montgomery County into Harris County has increased the number of questions concerning the rules of early voting. Here is a simple summary of what you need to know.

Two Counties, Two Setups
The Woodlands Township contracts with both Montgomery and Harris Counties to manage elections in their respective areas of the Township. The polling locations are subject to change, so, before you step out to vote, ensure you know where to go by checking the Montgomery County Elections website (www.MontgomeryVotes.org) if you are registered to vote in Montgomery County or the Harris County Elections website (www.HarrisVotes.org) if you are a Village of Creekside Park resident registered to vote in Harris County.

Early Voting Polling Locations
Any qualified registered voter may vote at any one of their county's Early Voting Polling locations during the early voting period. For Harris County, the full list of 70+ early voting locations is available online at www.HarrisVotes.org or by calling the Harris County Election Information Line at 713-755-6965. For Montgomery County, the full list of eight early voting locations is available online at www.MontgomeryVotes.org or by calling the Montgomery County Elections Office at 936-539-7843.

Remember: you can vote at any of your county’s early voting locations during the early voting period, but on Election Day, voters may only vote at their assigned precinct.

Early Voting Dates and Times

Montgomery County
Monday, October 18 through Saturday, October 23 - 8 am to 5 pm
Monday, October 25 through Wednesday, October 27 - 8 am to 5 pm
Thursday, October 28 through Friday, October 29 - 7 am to 7 pm

Harris County
Monday, October 18 through Saturday, October 23 - 7 am to 7 pm
Sunday, October 24 - Noon to 7 pm
Monday, October 25 through Wednesday, October 27 - 7 am to 7 pm
Thursday, October 28 - 7 am to 10 pm
Friday, October 29 - 7 am to 7 pm

Election Day Voting
Tuesday, November 2, 2021 - 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Rules and Regulations

Voter ID
Texas Election Law (Senate Bill 5, passed by the 85th Legislature, Regular Session) requires an acceptable photo identification to present when voting in person. The following is a list of acceptable photo IDs at the polling place:

• Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
• Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
• Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
• Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
• United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
• United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
• United States Passport (book or card)

With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Certificate, which does not expire, for voters aged 18-69, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired no more than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place. For voters aged 70 or older, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired for any length of time if the identification is otherwise valid.

There are exemptions and exceptions in an effort to take away arguments of voter “stifling” or denial. For any questions on voter ID, contact the Texas Secretary of State at 1-800-252-VOTE (8683) or elections@sos.tx.gov.

Firearms
You cannot bring a firearm to a polling location with the exception of those carried by licensed peace officers whether they are on or off duty.

Electioneering Boundaries
“Electioneering” is defined as including - but not being limited to - expressing preference for or against any candidate, measure, or political party, as well as the collection of signatures for a petition. It is illegal to be an electioneer within 100 feet of the entrance of a polling location; conversely, it is likewise illegal for an election official to stifle or otherwise affect any electioneering done outside that 100-foot boundary. A violation of this provision in the Election Code is a Class C misdemeanor. Additionally, electioneers outside the 100-foot boundary cannot use sound amplification systems within 1,000 feet of the polling location.

In short, if you expect to be allowed into vote, you cannot wear any type of clothing that promotes (or “demotes”) any political party, candidate, or ballot item; additionally, you cannot actively discuss or verbalize support - or lack thereof - of a candidate, party, or ballot preference. Feel free to report any candidate or supporter breaking electioneering laws to the proper polling authorities.

Cell Phones and Recording Devices
Persons are not allowed to use wireless communications devices within 100 feet of the voting stations. Additionally, persons are not allowed to use mechanical or electronic devices to record sound or images within 100 feet of the voting stations. Election officials are duly authorized to refuse you entry to - or continued presence in - a polling location if you refuse their commands to turn off your devices, which include:

• Cell phones
• Cameras
• Tablet computers
• Laptop computers
• Sound recorders
• Any other device that may communicate wirelessly, or be used to record sound or images.

Advances in technology have enabled some electronic devices to assist voters with certain disabilities. While this situation is not expressly addressed in the Election Code, an election official may use their authority to allow a voter to utilize such a device or its installed apps at their discretion.

Exit Polling
Surprisingly, exit polling is allowed outside the polling location entrance but within the 100-foot boundary, as long as the election officials on site don’t view it as “disruptive.”

Meeting the Candidates and Printed Materials
Not only are candidates, supporters, and detractors allowed to approach you outside the 100-foot mark, we encourage you to actually stop and discuss with them. Voting is important, but knowing who and what you’re voting for is vital. They are allowed to give (but not force upon) you printed materials including candidate guides, ballot specifics, and party-based political stances. Additionally, you can take these materials with you into the polling location interior. Once inside, however, it is up the discretion of the election officials if you abuse the privilege and turn it into electioneering, so don’t try to wave a flyer around while loudly proclaiming, “Wow, who knew this schmuck was running?”

What’s On the Ballot?
Depending on your residential address, district, or precinct, the November 2 ballot includes up to:

• Eight state propositions, including decisions on rodeo-based charities, infrastructure, the limiting of religious services by the state, caregiver authority, and taxation limits on widowed or widowered spouses
• School district bonds and trustee elections
• Several city council, mayoral, and Township board member elections
• Water district, utility district, and MUD bonds
• The decision whether or not to incorporate The Woodlands Township into The City of The Woodlands (Proposition A) and the protocols to convert resources from township to city should it pass (Proposition B)
• Numerous other tax, bond, and municipal issues

Hours
During early voting and on Election Day, as long as you are in line by the time the polls officially close, you are still entitled to cast your vote. So, if you're already standing and are told to leave because the poll has closed, stay where you are and insist on speaking to an election official; conversely, if the polls close two minutes before you get in line, accept the directives of the election officials.

Stay tuned to Woodlands Online for updates and stories leading up to, on, and beyond Election Day.