It's almost that time again.
On Nov. 4, registered vot - ers will once again have the opportunity to participate in our democracy by exercising their right to vote. There will be 17 statewide constitutional amendments on the upcoming ballot. These changes to the Texas Constitution will impact our laws and our daily lives, so we all need to research and be prepared before going to the polls. The League of Women Voters' Voters Guides are now available, providing non-parti san information regarding the pros and cons for each pro- posed amendment to help ev eryone make an informed decision. There are lots of other sources as well. Just be sure to choose reliable sources.
To provide accurate in formation for this article, we spoke with Rebecka LaCourse, Colorado County elections administrator, who graciously answered questions about the security of elections and recent changes made to the voting process in Texas. These procedures and changes apply statewide.
Are our elections secure?
Yes, our elections are very secure. The elections office, election judges, and clerks all take our elections very seri -
ously. Before Election Day, ballot boxes are verified emp -ty, then double-locked with two separate keys. The second key is held by either the coun- ty sheriff or the county judge (whichever is not on the ballot)
for safekeeping. Locked ballot boxes are delivered back to the elections office on election night by election judges ap -
pointed by both major political parties. No one is ever alone with a ballot box on Election Day. Once counted, ballots are held under double lock for 22 months per state regulations.
Should voters anticipate changes in the voting process?
The only change during the November election is in curb - side voting. Curbside voters will now be required to sign a
Curbside Voter Statement prior to receiving their ballot.
Important upcoming
change: Texas SB 2753 was enacted during the 2025 Tex -
as legislative session. Under this bill, by August 2027, there
will be no difference between
early voting and Election Day voting. Instead, there will be
an Election Period that starts 12 days before Election Day, with designated polling locations open each day until polls close on Election Day. This new schedule will actually in- crease the availability of week - end voting from one weekend to two per Election Period and
will also extend Sunday voting hours. Since there will no lon - ger be a gap between early vot -
ing and Election Day voting, early votes will not be counted until polls close on Election Day. For those of us used to getting the first election results quickly, we will have to wait a
bit longer.
Reminders for voters: Re member to bring one of the seven acceptable forms of identification with you to the polls. No political attire, signs, or other items with political content are permitted at poll- ing sites even if they pertain to past elections. Cell phones should be turned off or silenced, and there should be no talking or texting while voting. And of course, no fire arms are allowed.
Be sure to confirm your polling location before Election Day, especially if you ha- ven't voted on Election Day in recent years.
Your precinct is listed on your voter registration card, or you can contact your coun- ty elections office or visit VOTE411.org, the League's
online Voters Guide, to verify your voter registration status
and polling place.
Early voting for the up -
coming November election begins Monday, Oct. 20, and ends Friday, Oct. 31. Applications for mail ballots must be received by the election office by Oct. 24.
Your county elections of-
fice is here to serve the public, and its staff is available to as sist with the election process and address any questions or concerns you may have.
If you would like to get in- volved and assist with the elec tion process, please contact your county election office.
Rebecka LaCourse, Colorado County’s Elections Adminis- trator, can be reached at 979732-6860. Happy voting, everyone!
