Travis County Early Voting Goes Off Without Hitch With New System

AUSTIN, TX — So far, so good as voters went to the polls on Monday for early voting throughout Travis County, elections officials reported Thursday. The smooth operations at various polling places is especially gratifying as constituents are using a new voting system featuring a paper trail for the first time, elections officials added.

The new voting system features the standard touch-screen option but also provides a tangible record of their ballot. Voters are casting ballots on some state constitutional amendments along with two propositions from the city of Austin and one proposition from Travis County.

Early voting kicked off Monday and will continue until Friday, November 1.

Early reviews are in, and voters seem happy with the new voting system, elections Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir said: “It's the first time voters have seen a voting system with a paper trail. Voters seem very happy, the ones we've talked to at the polls," she said in an email. "They love the paper trail. They're very happy with it, so we're delighted that it seems to be so well received in the community.”

Voter turnout is expected to exceed the state average by about seven percentage points, DeBeauvoir added: “The state is expecting statewide about a 13 percent turnout. We will probably do better than that here in Travis County, but we don't think it's going to approach 20 percent turnout. We would love it if it did. Nevertheless, we want to invite everybody to come out for early voting."

Voters are able to cast ballots anywhere that it's convenient for them, with early voting running through Nov. 1 when polls will close at 7 p.m. The general election is scheduled on Nov. 5.

For information on the new voting system, voting locations, including wait times, visit

https://go.votetravis.com