Early Voting Scheduled For WilCo $447M Bond Issue

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — Early voting ahead of the November election is scheduled next week as county officials propose a $477 million bond issue to raise money for roads and parks projects.

Early voting for the Nov. 5 general election starts on Monday, Oct. 21. Polling places will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, through Wednesday, Oct. 30. There is no voting on Sunday. Early voting then continues Thursday, Oct. 31, and Friday, Nov. 1, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Williamson County has two propositions on the ballot in its quest to issue public debt to raise cash:

• Proposition A will authorize the county to issue and sell bonds not to exceed $412 million for the purpose of constructing, improving, extending, expanding, upgrading and/or developing roads and other transportation-related improvements.
• Proposition B will authorize the county to issue and sell bonds not to exceed $35 million for the purpose of constructing, improving, renovating, acquiring land, buildings and facilities for park and recreational purposes including, but not limited to, parkland, open space/preserve land, trail acquisition, pedestrian and bike trail improvements.

Information on proposed bond projects and more can be found at www.wilco.org/bondelection.

During early voting, registered voters are allowed to vote at any polling location in Williamson County, officials said. The early voting schedule is posted below and on the Elections website at www.wilco.org/elections.

The elections website also can locate the closest early voting or election day polling location for residents. To do this, select the best polling location before you head out the door by checking the wait times at various polling locations on the elections website at www.wilco.org/votinglinetimes. Registered voters also can look up their voter information and sample ballot online. Sample ballots can be printed and marked to take to the polling location with you.

Voters are required to present an approved form of identification in order to vote in all Texas elections. The Texas Secretary of State's Office has information on ID requirements at http://www.VoteTexas.gov and their agency website http://www.sos.state.texas.us.

Ahead of the early voting period, county officials also remind residents that Williamson County voters will use a new voting system this election. With the new voting system, voters will receive a blank ballot card at check-in to insert into the ExpressVote ballot marking device and make their selections. After reviewing their selections on the screen, voters will print the ballot. Once voters have reviewed the selections printed on the ballot, they will insert the ballot into the DS200 digital scanner for tabulation.

"This hybrid system allows for the convenience and accuracy of electronic voting, as well as the security of an auditable paper ballot that can be used for manual recounts," officials explained in a press advisory. For additional information on Williamson County’s new voting system, click www.wilco.org/wilcovotes.

Early Voting Schedule and Locations

— Monday, Oct. 21 through Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

— No Sunday Voting

— Thursday, Oct. 31 and Friday, Nov. 1 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Georgetown: Williamson County Inner Loop Annex, 301 SE Inner Loop, 78626.
• Georgetown: Cowan Creek Amenity Center, 1433 Cool Spring Way, 78633.
• Georgetown: Georgetown ISD Technology Building, 603 Lakeway Drive, 78628.
• Georgetown: Parks & Recreation Administration Building, 1101 North College Street, 78626.
• Austin: Anderson Mill Limited District, 11500 El Salido Parkway, 78750.
• Cedar Park: Cedar Park Public Library, 550 Discovery Boulevard, 78613.
• Cedar Park: Cedar Park Randalls, 1400 Cypress Creek Road, 78613.
• Leander: Pat Bryson Municipal Hall, 201 N Brushy Street, 78641.
• Liberty Hill: Liberty Hill Municipal Court, 2801 RR 1869, 78642.
• Round Rock: Baca Senior Center, 301 W Bagdad Street, Building 2, 78664.
• Round Rock: Round Rock Randalls, 2051 Gattis School Road, 78664.
• Round Rock*: Brushy Creek Community Center, 16318 Great Oaks Drive, 78681.
• Round Rock: Williamson County Jester Annex, 1801 E Old Settlers Boulevard, 78664.
• Taylor: Taylor City Hall, 400 Porter Street, 76574.

* On Saturday, Oct. 26, Voting at Brushy Creek Community Center will close at 2 p.m.