Runoff election information released

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Gonzales County Clerk Lona Ackman and Voter Registrar Crystal Cedillo recently offered advice in a statement for voters planning to cast their ballots for the July 14 primary runoff election.

“Health of voters and integrity of the election process are our main focus at this time,” The statement reads. “As a voter you can help with this by following CDC guidelines while in a polling location. It is important to maintain social distancing when waiting in line and casting your vote. Each polling place will have markers on the floor to let voters know where to stand when waiting in line. Face coverings are not required to enter into any polling location; however, they would be appreciated.

“Please keep in mind if you choose to wear a face covering you may have to temporarily remove it so that the election workers can properly confirm your identification during the check-in process. Wash your hands or sanitize before entering a polling location. There will be hand sanitizer at each location for voter use.”

The statement notes there will be additional safety precautions at polling locations.

“Each location will be handing out paper straws to act as stylus for each voter to use when casting their ballot; this will be done to limit the physical contact with the screens and thus preventing the spread of germs on the voting machines. All election workers will be periodically disinfecting the voting area as well,” The statement reads.

“If you exhibit any of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, fever, or if you have been in contact with a person who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19 there are options available to you for voting that you may want to consider utilizing, such as, voting by mail (if you are a qualified applicant),” the statement from the County Clerk reads.

To qualify to vote by mail, the following qualifications must be met: 65 years of age or older, absence from the county, disability, or confinement in jail.

Qualified persons may contact the County Clerk’s office to request a ballot by mail application. The deadline to receive an application is July 2 at 4:45 p.m.

Another option for voters is curbside voting, which is available to all voters for any election.

“In order to curbside vote during early voting in Gonzales the voter can pull up into the second drive thru lane behind the tax office and call the County Clerk’s Office at 830-672-2801,” according to the statement. “A clerk will then come to assist you. At all other early voting locations, you simply pull up into a designated voter parking spot and a clerk will come out and assist you. On Election Day you will be able to pull up to the designated parking spot and a clerk will come out and assist you.”

Early voting for the runoff election begins June 29 at 8 a.m. through July 10 at 4:45 p.m. Early voting hours are the same as the County Clerk’s office hours (Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.). Voting will not be conducted on Friday, July 3, due to the Federal holiday, and July 4, Independence Day.

There will be three early voting locations: Randle Rather Building 427 St. George St., City of Nixon Building, 100 W. 3rd Street, Nixon, and City of Waelder Building, 300 Hwy. 90 W., Waelder.

On Election Day, there will be six polling locations:

• Precinct 1, 14 and 15 Randle-Rather Building, 427 St. George St., Gonzales

• Precinct 2 and 11 Gonzales Master Gardner’s, 623 N Fair St., Gonzales

• Precinct 3, 5, 7 and 8 Gonzales City Building, 820 St. Joseph, Gonzales

• Precinct 4, 6, 10, and 13 City of Nixon Building,100 W. 3rd St., Nixon

• Precinct 9 Waelder Community Center, 311 Hwy 90W, Waelder

• Precinct 12 JB Wells, 2301 CR 197, Gonzales

On Election Day voting will be conducted from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All voters must show photo identification in order to vote.

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