Tens of thousands of El Pasoans will go to the polls on Tuesday to make their choices for everything from president to constables.
“We’re expecting about 70,000 voters to cast their ballot (Tuesday); however the department is prepared for more in the fortunate event that the turnout would be higher,” County Elections Administrator Lisa Wise said.
With polls showing a historically close presidential election, and voter anxiety roiling the nation, El Paso County elections and law enforcement officials are taking steps to ensure that going to the polls is safe and secure.
“Our department has been working with Homeland Security, FBI and Office of Emergency Management in preparation for this election,” Wise said. “Additionally, local law enforcement will be patrolling areas where polling sites are located, just as they did during early voting, and ensuring that El Paso County voters can feel safe when casting their ballot.”
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office “will maintain regular patrols throughout the county to ensure a secure environment for all voters. Should any incidents arise, our deputies are prepared to respond promptly,” spokesperson Vanessa Tena said.
“We encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote while remaining vigilant and aware of their surroundings. The community’s safety is our priority,” she said.
The FBI’s El Paso office has set up an Election Command Post, a normal practice during election seasons, Special Agent Jeanette Harper said in a statement.
“The FBI has a duty to plan for a host of potential scenarios related to election fraud, voter suppression, foreign malign influence, malicious cyber activity against election infrastructure, and threats to election workers. We are committed to protecting the American public’s right to a fair and safe election,” the statement said.
More than 182,000 El Paso County residents cast ballots during the 12-day early voting period that ended Friday. That was down from the 222,000 in 2020, when early voting was extended to 18 days because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
When Election Day polls closed in 2020, a record 269,007 voters had cast ballots in El Paso County. That represented 55% of all registered voters, which was the county’s highest turnout since 1992.
El Paso County has 116 Election Day vote centers, which are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. People who are in line at 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
Voters can cast ballots at whichever vote center is most convenient; you no longer have to vote at an assigned neighborhood site.
Long voting lines are possible, especially early in the morning and then in the evening after people get off work. Here are steps voters can take to make the voting process go more smoothly.
Make a voting plan before going to the polls. Know where you want to vote, and familiarize yourself with what’s on the ballot.Create a personalized sample ballot on the county elections website, print it out, mark your choices and take it to the polls to help you fill out your ballot more quickly. Make sure you have one of the seven approved voter identification forms when you go to the polls.Find and take advantage of less-busy sites. Wait times can be found at epcountyvotes.com.Curbside voting is available if you have a disability that makes it difficult to enter a polling site without assistance or risk of injury. Park in the spot designated for curbside voting, and call or text for assistance at the number on the sign.People with mobility challenges can get priority to avoid waiting in line for a long time. Notify an election worker if you’d like priority.Leave clothing with political slogans or candidate names at home. If you have that kind of clothing within 100 feet of a polling place, you’ll be asked to remove it.
The post What you need to know about Election Day voting in El Paso appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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