Update: It's worth noting that ballots accepted from 7 to 9 p.m. will be provisional ballots. A press release from Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir has more:
Pursuant to Texas election laws, ballots cast by individuals who arrive at a polling place after 7 p.m. but before the polls close, will be voted as provisional ballots. Ballots cast provisionally are reviewed by a ballot board and will be accepted as long as the voter is otherwise qualified. Votes casts by eligible voters during extended hours will be counted and included in the final tally, however, results from these ballots will not be included in this evening’s unofficial vote totals. “We appreciate the dedication and stamina of our election workers who will be working long into the night.” said DeBeauvoir. “Elections wouldn’t be possible without the efforts of these steadfast and faithful citizens who conduct elections under extraordinary circumstances.” DeBeauvoir added.
Some observers are already discussing what effect those ballots could make – especially in one Travis County race. Jim Henson, director of UT-Austin's Texas Politics project, tweets "That ringing sound you hear? Calls from[Andy] Brown, [Sarah] Eckhardt to election lawyers."
Update (2:40 p.m.): A judge has granted a request to keep Travis County polling places open an extra two hours tonight - until 9 p.m. - after icy weather caused voting officials to delay opening polls until 11am this morning.
Orignal story (1:46 p.m.): It's primary election day, but many of the polls in Central Texas did not open as early as usual because of wintry weather.
Travis County polling stations opened four hours late. Officials are currently waiting for a decision on whether the polls will stay open later than planned. Right now, polls are still scheduled to close at 7 p.m.
Texas Secretary of State Nandita Berry says it’s up to each county to adjust polling hours in situations like this. “It’s really important that all voters be able to cast their ballots in any election," Berry says. "But we want voters and election workers both to be able to arrive at the polling places safely and get home safely.”
Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir says the effects of the delayed opening today should be minimal since Travis County voters can cast a ballot anywhere in the county. “You’re not confined to only voting at your neighborhood precinct and that’s extraordinarily lucky for us here,” DeBeauvoir says.
Some polls in Williamson County also opened late today. Williamson County residents do need to vote at their assigned precinct. Polls in Bastrop, Burnet and Hays Counties are operating as usual.
See a map of Austin voting locations:
View Travis County Election Day Locations in a larger map
What’s on the ballot?
Primaries for numerous positions are on the ballot, including U.S. Senate, U.S. Representatives, County Commissioners, state Supreme Court Justices and more.
For a complete list of races in Travis County, take a look at the Republican and Democratic ballots.
What do I need to vote?
State law requires you to present a valid form of photo identification when casting a vote in person.
Acceptable forms of identification include:
- Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
- Texas concealed handgun license issued by DPS
- United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph
- United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph
- United States passport
You are able to vote by mail without photo identification as long as you meet any of the following criteria:
- You are 65 years of age or older;
- You are out of the county for the entire election period;
- You are sick or disabled;
- You are confined in jail, but eligible to vote
