O-2020-3797 Amending Ordinance 2020-3787 to update the order of election

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Woodward, Lee From: Elections Internet <Elections@sos.texas.gov> Sent: Monday, August 10, 2020 8:29 AM To: Elections Internet Subject: MASS EMAIL (CSO-3331) - Early Voting Requirements for November 3, 2020. Sensitivity: Personal Dear Election Officials: On July 27, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation suspending Section 85.001(a) of the Texas Election Code to expand the early voting period for the November 3, 2020 elections. We've received a number of questions related to this issue. We would like to clarify several things about the early voting requirements. 1. Early Voting Period: The early voting period will begin on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 and end on Friday, October 30, 2020. 2. Hour Requirements when the County or City is the Early Voting Clerk: Per Section 85.005(a) of the Election Code, early voting by personal appearance shall be conducted on the weekdays of the early voting period and during the hours that the early voting clerk's main business office is regularly open for business. The early voting clerk can order additional hours beyond the minimum requirements. a. Hour Requirements when the County or City is NOT the early voting Clerk: Early voting by personal appearance must be conducted at the main early voting polling place for at least 8 hours each weekday of the early voting period that is not a legal state holiday. If the territory has fewer than 1,000 registered voters,voting shall be conducted at least three hours each day. (Sec. 85.005(b)). 3. Extended Hour Requirements for County Early Voting Clerks a. Extended Hours for Counties (not cities)with a population of 100,000 or greater: Early voting in the general election for state and county officers must be conducted at the main early voting location for at least 12 hours on each weekday of the last week of the early voting period. (Sec. 85.005(c)). The requirement to conduct Saturday and Sunday voting at the main early voting location triggers Saturday/Sunday voting at any mandatory temporary branches in the county election established under Section 85.064(d). b. Extended Hours for Counties (not cities)with a population under 100,000: If the county early voting clerk receives a written request (PDF) by at least 15 registered voters of the county for extended hours, early voting in a general election for state and county officers must be conducted at the main early voting location for at least 12 hours on each weekday of the last week of the early voting period. (Sec. 85.005(c)).The written request must be submitted in time to enable compliance with Section 85.067. (Secs. 85.005(c), 85.067(c)). For November,this deadline is October 20, 2020. c. Extended Hours for Cities(even when the county is serving as the early voting clerk): Per Section 85.005(d), early voting by personal appearance shall be conducted for at least 12 hours on two weekdays. If the county is conducting an election on the city's behalf either as part of a contract for election services or a joint election agreement,the county must comply with this extended hour requirement. 4. Weekend Hours when the County is the Early Voting Clerk: The county election officer may order early voting on any Saturday or Sunday during the early voting period and may determine the hours for such Saturday or Sunday early voting. Notice of Saturday or Sunday early voting (PDF) must be posted continuously for at least 72 hours immediately preceding the first hour that voting will be conducted. (Sec. 85.007(c)).The