HB 961
From the 80(R) Session
Allen, Alma
Extend Polling Hours to 9pm
Introduced: Referred to Elections
TAGS: voting rights, elections
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Updated by jeweke on Feb 8, 2007 10:02:24

Summary

This bill would extend election polling hours until 9:00 p.m.

Background

Recent problems with voting on election day are the basis for Dr. Allen's bill. Texas election code requires that the polls be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on election day. This bill would extend those hours until 9:00 p.m. on election day to give voters more opportunity to reach their polling precincts after work to vote. An increase in daily activities of families coordinating work and school schedules sometimes makes it hard for them to vote at their precinct on election day. Long lines and fewer machines at some polling locations are making it very difficult for working Texans to vote before they go into work, or to vote before 7:00 p.m. after work.

Additional Links

E-voting Failures in the 2006 Mid-Term Election Problems(pdf file)
A Passionate, Patient Electorate; Voters Wait in Long Lines at the Polls
Washington Post article 2/2/2004
previous Version No. 2 next
Updated by SoniaS on Feb 7, 2007 21:05:24
This is an older version of this article.

Summary


Background

Recent problems with voting on election day are the basis for Dr. Allen's bill. Texas election code requires that the polls be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on election day. This bill would extend those hours until 9:00 p.m. on election day to give voters more opportunity to reach their polling precincts after work to vote. An increase in daily activities of families coordinating work and school schedules sometimes makes it hard for them to vote at their precinct on election day. Long lines and fewer machines at some polling locations are making it very difficult for working Texans to vote before they go into work, or to vote before 7:00 p.m. after work.

Additional Links

E-voting Failures in the 2006 Mid-Term Election Problems(pdf file)

A Passionate, Patient Electorate; Voters Wait in Long Lines at the Polls
Washington Post article 2/2/2004
previous Version No. 1 next
Updated by SoniaS on Feb 7, 2007 20:58:13
This is an older version of this article.

Summary


Background

Recent problems with voting on election day are the basis for Dr. Allen's bill. Texas election code requires that the polls be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on election day. This bill would extend those hours until 9:00 p.m. on election day to give voters more opportunity to reach their polling precincts after work to vote. An increase in daily activities of families coordinating work and school schedules sometimes makes it hard for them to vote at their precinct on election day. Long lines and fewer machines at some polling locations are making it very difficult for working Texans to vote before they go into work, or to vote before 7:00 p.m. after work.

Additional Links

E-voting Failures in the 2006 Mid-Term Election Problems(pdf file)

A Passionate, Patient Electorate; Voters Wait in Long Lines at the Polls
Washington Post article 2/2/2004
Arguments for HB 961
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Arguments against HB 961
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by MEGABITE on Feb 8, 2007 7:37:57
7 pm is late enough, in my opinion.
by MEGABITE on Feb 8, 2007 10:14:21
Perhaps they should add more polling places if the current ones are too crowded.
by MEGABITE on Feb 8, 2007 13:51:38
Plus, if this bill passes, we probably won't get to find out election results until the following day.
Early voting
by Delfeye on Feb 12, 2007 7:39:03
Since we have easy early voting now, why should people be waiting until the actual voting day if they have a scheduling issue.
Early Voting
by HalfEmpty on Feb 12, 2007 11:12:37
Mainly because there is a lot of ignorance out there about early voting. People think you need to be handicapped to qualify. Reps are good at early voting, but Dems stay away. 7 o'clock is too early for polls to close if you work until 5 and have an hour commute.

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