Early voting begins Monday for the county’s school and city elections. Voters can cast their ballot at four vote centers across the county. Early voting runs daily through April 28, except for Tuesday, April 21, which is a state holiday.
Here’s what you need to know to vote and some races to watch for.
Who can vote and where do I go?
Anyone registered in McLennan County can early vote at one of five early voting locations. China Spring ISD voters registered in Bosque County can early vote at the McLennan County Records Building.
- McLennan County Elections Administration Office, 214 N 4th Street, Suite 300, Waco 76701
- Waco Multipurpose Community Center, 1020 Elm Ave., Waco, 76704
- West Waco Library/Genealogy Center, 5301 Bosque Boulevard, Waco 76710
- Hewitt City Hall/Library, 200 Patriot Court, Hewitt, 76643
Find a full list of Election Day polling sites here.
While it’s too late to register to vote for this election, you can check you registration status here. If you’re registered in McLennan County, but forgot to change your address, McLennan County Elections Administrator Jared Goldsmith says not to worry.
“If you’re still registered in McLennan County, you’ll vote your old address,” he said.
April 20 is the last day for your registered county to receive an application for ballot by mail.
What should I bring with me (and what can’t I bring)?
Voters should have one of seven acceptable forms of photo ID. Most voters take their driver’s licenses, U.S. issued passports or Texas handgun licenses. A full list can be found here.
If you don't have, and cannot reasonably obtain one of these forms of ID before the elections, here are other options.
No electronic devices, including phones, are allowed inside the polling place. Its recommended you have a list of candidates you support written down on a piece of paper to reference while voting. You can find sample ballots here.
What’s on the Ballot?
This month, Waco and several surrounding cities will have City Council elections.
- In Waco, Mayor Holmes faces a challenge from two locals. You can find our reporting on that race, and listen to interviews with two of those candidates here.
- Waco residents are also facing a heated race for District 1 between Council Member Andrea Barefield and opponent, Rachel E. Pate.
- Waco’s Council District 3 will see one candidate, Jed Cole, after incumbent Josh Borderud announced he would not seek reelection.
Our partners at the Waco Bridge have compiled candidate Q&As, including:
- A Q&A with the candidates for the at-large city council seat in Lacy Lakeview, where a proposed data center deal is driving up tensions.
- A Q&A with candidates for the at-large Bellmead City Council seat.
- A Q&A with candidates in the China Spring ISD election, where 10 candidates are running for three seats in the wake of a special tax election that passed in November.
You can also get more information about some of the candidates by watching a recording of last week’s China Spring ISD forum and the Hispanic Leaders Network forum on KWTX.
Got a tip? Email Molly-Jo Tilton at Molly-jo_tilton@baylor.edu.
KWBU is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider making a tax-deductible gift today. Thank you.
