Your 2020 Voting Guide for Austin FC Fans
Election Day is November 3, 2020. A record number of Texans are registered to vote and are passionate about certain candidates and issues but may not know exactly what their position is on the candidates and issues down the ballot. This quick guide gives you what you need to know about voting, as well as resources related to everything on the ballot.
EARLY VOTING
Early voting is a convenient way to avoid the lines on Election Day, which may be particularly appealing given the current public health situation. Early voting began on October 13 and continues through October 30. Early voting can be done at any location in your home county:
In Travis County, early voting hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m on Sunday.
MAIL IN VOTING
Texas offers mail in, or absentee voting for those unable to attend a polling place in person. If you are 65 or older, out of the county during the entire election period, sick, or disabled, you are eligible to request a ballot by mail. This request must be received by your county of residence by October 23rd, and they need to be back at your county’s election division by election day.
ELECTION DAY VOTING
If you wait until November 3 to vote, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. that day. Anyone in line when the polls close will be given the opportunity to vote.
VOTING RESOURCES
Voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots for a wide range of candidates from the President to members of Congress to local judges and school board members. The options may be overwhelming, so here are few resources to help you decide your vote:
You can see everything on your ballot through the League of Women Voters’ ballot generator at Vote411.org. You are allowed to bring in paper to assist you in filling out your ballot, however you are not allowed to reference a phone or digital device at the polling site.
BALLOT PROPOSITIONS
If you live in Austin, you’ll have the chance to vote on two different ballot propositions related to transportation.
Proposition A - This ballot proposition is the largest proposed transit investment in the history of Austin. If passed, the proposition would fund Project Connect, the $7.2 billion transit plan proposed by Capital Metro and the City of Austin. This proposition also includes a rail stop at McKalla Stadium. Austin FC is one of the largest supporters of Proposition A.
Proposition B - This ballot proposition is focused on active mobility. This includes sidewalks, bicycle trails and road improvements. Proposition B would allow Austin to build a world-class walking, bicycling, urban trail, and safe streets network within the next six years.
Los Verdes and Austin Anthem are both officially in support on both propositions. It’s time for a bold investment in the future mobility of Austin. You can read more about the ballot propositions and why we support them at AustinSoccerVotes.org.
CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS
For those of you who live in Austin, five city council seats are also open. Those seats are in Districts 2, 4, 6, 7 and 10. More information on the candidates and video links to KUT’s candidate forums are available here.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO VOTE
You will be asked to show photo ID to vote in Texas. Acceptable forms include: Texas driver's license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS); Texas election ID certificate; Texas personal ID card; Texas handgun license; US military ID with photo; US citizenship certificate with photograph (doesn't need to be current); or a US passport. Forms must be current or expired less than four years. 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.
Voters without ID: If you don't have ID and cannot obtain one due to a reasonable impediment, you'll need to sign a sworn statement that there is a reason why you don't have any of the accepted IDs, and present one of the following: certified birth certificate; valid voter registration certificate; or a current utility bill, government check, bank statement or paycheck, or government document with your name and an address. If you meet these requirements and are eligible to vote, you may vote in the election.
If you don't have ID and do not have a reasonable impediment to obtaining one or did not bring ID to the polling place, you may cast a provisional ballot. In order to have the provisional ballot counted, you will be required to visit the voter registrar's office within six (6) calendar days of the date of the election to either present one of the forms of photo ID or submit a temporary affidavit, or, if applicable, qualify for the disability exemption, in the presence of the county voter registrar while attesting to the fact that you do not have any of the required photo IDs.
LOOKING FOR MORE?
Our friends at OurGoodPolitics.org have a comprehensive guide that helps give you almost everything you need to know about the 2020 election cycle.