AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday extended the early voting period for the upcoming November 3 elections, in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Early voting will now begin on Tuesday, October 13, six days earlier than the original date of October 19.
"As we respond to COVID-19, the State of Texas is focused on strategies that preserve Texans’ ability to vote in a way that also mitigates the spread of the virus," Abbott said in a statement. "By extending the early voting period and expanding the period in which mail-in ballots can be hand-delivered, Texans will have greater flexibility to cast their ballots, while at the same time protecting themselves and others from COVID-19."
Early voting will continue through Friday, October 30.
Abbott's proclamation also expands the period in which marked mail-in ballots may be delivered in person to the early voting clerk’s office, allowing such delivery prior to as well as on Election Day.