Early voting underway in Lubbock, across Texas: What you need to know to vote

Early voting for the Nov. 5 federal, state and local elections began Monday in Texas.

In Lubbock County, elections officials are gearing up for what could be one of the busiest elections in recent history, with potentially record-breaking turnout during early voting and on Election Day as voters choose their next U.S. president, senator and more.

In-person early voting in Texas runs Oct. 21 through Nov. 1.

What's on the ballot?

Voters will choose between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris to become the nation's commander in chief. Texans will also get to decide whether U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz keeps his seat or if U.S. Rep. Colin Allred will take his place.

There are a number of important state and local races on the ticket in Lubbock County, too. A full sample ballot is available at votelubbock.org.

More: Ted Cruz, Colin Allred campaign in Lubbock ahead of early voting

Lubbock County Commissioner Precinct 3

Longtime Precinct 3 Commissioner Gilbert Flores, a Democrat, will face Republican challenger Cary Shaw.

Shaw clinched the Republican nomination for the position in the March primary, earning 59% of the vote over Mary Hernandez.

Flores has sat on the commissioners court for various stretches since he was first elected in 1992. He's run in every election for the seat since then, losing only in 2004 to a Democratic primary opponent and in 2012 to the Republican nominee.

Shaw is a repeat candidate as well. The Idalou resident challenged Flores for northeast Lubbock County seat in 2020, when Flores was re-elected to his sixth term with 56% of the vote.

Lubbock Prop A: City of Lubbock road bond

In a ballot measure known as Proposition A, City of Lubbock voters will decide whether the city can issue $103.4 million in bonds to tackle seven road construction projects throughout the city:

• Broadway from Avenue Q to Avenue E

• University Avenue from 50th Street to South Loop 289

• Upland Avenue from 98th Street to 114th Street

• 34th Street from Upland Avenue to Alcove Avenue

• 146th Street from University Avenue to Avenue P

• 146th Street from Slide Road to Quaker Avenue

• Avenue P from 130th Street to 146th Street

Each of these projects, with the exception of Broadway, is adjacent to a school.

The package, if passed, will cost the average homeowner about $30 per year.

More: Lubbock City Council calls $103M street bond election for Nov. 5

Voters resoundingly passed a $200 million road bond for 22 miles worth of street projects in 2022, with more than two-thirds of voters OKing the package at the time and no formal opposition.

But the 2024 proposal has been met with more resistance. Critics of the proposition have characterized the proposal as rushed and inequitable, arguing projects would be disproportionately located in the south and southwestern parts of the city with not enough thought put into resource allocation. Others oppose a tax hike.

Proponents like the Keep Lubbock Moving PAC say the city is catching up after years of neglecting street maintenance needs. They argue the projects will reduce road congestion and increase traffic safety as the city continues to grow.

Frenship ISD VATRE, bonds

Frenship Independent School District voters will consider three propositions: a tax ratification election and two bond packages worth millions each.

The Frenship school board previously called a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, proposing a property tax rate of $1.1567 per $100 in property valuation, which is lower than last year's tax rate but will amount to a tax increase of about 11% for most property owners. It will generate about $5.3 million more in revenue for the district to support a $127.69 million budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year that includes a 5% average salary increase for teachers and staff, district officials said.

More: Frenship ISD voters to consider property tax increase, $200M in bonds

The school board is seeking approval for a $189.5 million bond package to build two new elementary schools and provide security enhancements and renovations for existing campuses. A separate $10 million package would be used to purchase new classroom technology.

The technology bond would be repaid over five years, the district said, due to the short lifespan of electronic devices.

Roosevelt ISD bonds

Roosevelt ISD also called a bond election for Nov. 5, seeking $58.5 million for a new elementary school campus, the renovation of the existing secondary campus, a new auditorium, cafeteria renovations, new athletic locker rooms and a weight room, and a new maintenance and grounds facility.

If approved by voters, the bond would amount to a property increase of about $200 annually for a home valued at $100,000, according to the district.

Other races to watch

U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington, who represents Lubbock and Abilene in the 19th U.S. Congressional District, will face Libertarian Bernard Johnson and Independent Nathan Lewis for re-election.

For the Texas State Board of Education District 15, incumbent Chairman Aaron Kinsey, R-Midland, will face former Lubbock teacher Morgan Kirkpatrick as a Democratic challenger and Amarillo Libertarian Jack B. Westbrook.

In Texas House of Representatives District 84, incumbent Republican State Rep. Carl Tepper of Lubbock will face a challenge from Democratic Lubbock barista Noah Lopez for the seat.

In the Lubbock County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1, also known as Buffalo Springs Lake, two incumbent district directors will face challengers. In Precinct 2, Joel Prock will face a challenge from Ashley Ramirez, and in Precinct 3, Kade Garner is opposed by Steven Hughes, Jeff Bartholomew and Rachel Givens.

Finally, residents of the Highland Oaks subdivision in Lubbock County will decide in a rare annexation election if the City of Lubbock will absorb the neighborhood as it runs out of groundwater.

Where to vote early in Lubbock County

Early voting locations are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day during early voting, Oct. 21 through Nov. 1, except for Sunday, Oct. 27, when they are open from noon to 6 p.m.:

• Lubbock County Elections Office — 1308 Crickets Ave., Lubbock

• United — 2630 Parkway Drive, Lubbock

• United — 401 Slide Road, Lubbock

• United — 6313 Fourth St., Lubbock

• United — 1701 50th St., Lubbock

• United — 2703 82nd St., Lubbock

• United — 8010 Frankford Ave., Lubbock

• United — 12815 Indiana Ave., Lubbock

• United — 11310 Slide Rd., Lubbock

• Amigos — 112 N. University Ave., Lubbock

• Market Street — 4425 19th St., Lubbock

• Market Street — 3405 50th St., Lubbock

• Market Street — 4203 98th St., Lubbock

• Citizens Tower — 1314 Ave. K, Lubbock

• Texas Tech University Student Recreation Center — Hartford Avenue and Main Street, Lubbock

• Abernathy City Hall — 811 Ave. D, Abernathy

• Casey Administration Building — 501 Seventh St., Wolfforth

• Idalou Community Center — 202 W. Seventh St., Idalou

• New Deal Community Clubhouse — 309 S. Monroe Ave., New Deal

• Roosevelt ISD Gymnasium — 1301 County Road 3300, Lubbock

• Shallowater Community Center — 900 Ave. H, Shallowater

• Slaton Community Clubhouse — 750 W. Garza St., Slaton

What to bring to the polls

Voters will need a form of identification to cast a ballot. Acceptable forms of photo ID include a Texas driver license, Texas election ID certificate, Texas personal ID card, Texas handgun license, U.S. citizenship certificate with photo, U.S. military ID with photo or a U.S. passport.

If a voter does not have an ID and cannot reasonably obtain one, other options are available. Those are listed at votelubbock.org or by calling 806-775-1339.

High turnout expected in Lubbock County

Lubbock County Elections Administrator Roxzine Stinson previously told the Avalanche-Journal she is forecasting potentially record-breaking turnout this November, largely driven by the county's growth during a presidential election year.

Stinson said more than 196,000 voters are registered in Lubbock County, and she expects 72-73% to turn out to the polls before or Election Day.

"So I'm looking at 140,000 to 145,000, maybe more, to show up," Stinson said.

More: Lubbock County expects record turnout, increased efficiency for early voting, Election Day

With the increased turnout, Stinson said, voters can expect to wait in line to cast their ballot.

"I figure it doesn't matter if it's early voting or on Election Day, you're going to be waiting in line. And I don't think it'll matter which polling location you go to," Stinson said. "I do ask folks to be gracious and kind with one another and have some patience. Just understand that there are going to be lines because of the turnout we're expecting for this election."

Lubbock County is implementing new check-in equipment at polling locations this year in an effort to increase efficiency and keep lines shorter. Voters shouldn't notice any major changes to the voting process.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: What to know for early voting in Lubbock County