Lubbock County turnout soars as early voting continues through Friday

Lubbock County polls saw record turnout during the first week of early voting, with no indication things will slow down as the Nov. 5 Election Day inches closer, county officials said Monday.

Through day seven of early voting Sunday, 62,375 Lubbock County voters cast their ballot in person — about 31% of the county's more than 198,000 registered voters, according to county Elections Administrator Roxzine Stinson.

Early voting turnout remains at the highest level Lubbock County has seen in recent memory, since at least 2004. In 2016, the most recent presidential election year not affected by COVID-19, about 43,000 early voters turned out in the first week. Stinson points to the growth in the county's population as the reason for the spike this cycle.

Stinson said the increased turnout has led to long lines at some of the early voting locations.

"These folks are turning out," Stinson told the Lubbock County Commissioners Court during its Monday meeting. "Every morning, if I've been at one of the United (stores) when they open, there's a line standing there when they open that door."

County Judge Curtis Parrish told the Avalanche-Journal the lines are flowing.

"We're moving people along. There's been long lines, but those lines are moving very quickly," Parrish said. "We're really glad and proud of the people that are showing up to vote. We anticipate there will be a lot more voters this week as we finish up early voting on Friday."

Though Stinson anticipates being able to open all 50 polling locations on Election Day, she encouraged voters to show up before the last day of early voting to avoid inclement weather on Friday or a long wait on Nov. 5.

"It's supposed to rain Friday. I would get out early and vote instead of wait until it rains," Stinson said.

As of Monday, The National Weather Service in Lubbock is predicting a 20% chance of rain in the Hub City on Friday.

Where to vote early in Lubbock County

Early voting locations are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Friday:

• 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.

The latest Lubbock County election info is available at lubbockonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock County turnout soars as early voting continues through Friday