Name: Your Voting Guide For North Texas' 2020 Primary Runoff Election
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Your Voting Guide For North Texas' 2020 Primary Runoff Election

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Voting is complicated during a typical election season, but the coronavirus pandemic has made the situation even more confusing. From what’s on the ballot to where to vote, here’s a helpful guide on what you need to know to vote on July 14 in North Texas’ runoff elections.&nbsp; The primaries were originally scheduled for May, but Gov. Greg Abbott and&nbsp;&nbsp;of the early voting period due to the coronavirus. Following the March primaries, the runoff elections include some hotly-contested races like the Democratic runoff for U.S. Senator between candidates Royce West, a Texas state senator from Dallas, and MJ Hegar, a former Air Force helicopter pilot. The winner will face incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn.&nbsp; Not sure whether you’re registered to vote? .&nbsp; What Is Being Done To Make The Polls Safe? State leaders have largely left it up to local officials to set up safety precautions, but the Texas secretary of state's office has some&nbsp;&nbsp;for voters and county governments. According to , the eight-page document suggests voters bring their own hand sanitizer and wear face masks, bring their own marking devices — like pencils with erasers — and consider voting curbside if they have symptoms of COVID-19. (Voters unable to enter polling places are allowed to ask a poll worker to bring a ballot to their cars parked curbside. The state recommends voters call ahead before requesting this option.) Local voting officials have stocked up on sanitizer and protective gear while also considering plastic shields for check-in stations at polling places. The state has also recommended that they place markings on the floor to help people maintain social distancing in lines and place voting booths at least 6 feet apart. WHERE TO VOTE &amp; WHEN »&nbsp; Voters in Dallas County can vote at&nbsp;any polling place on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You do not have to vote at a specific precinct. Use the .&nbsp; »&nbsp; Tarrant County voters can also vote at&nbsp;any polling place&nbsp;in the county on Election Day. Use the&nbsp;. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.&nbsp; »&nbsp; Vote from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Voters have been able to vote at any polling place in the county for several years. »&nbsp; Denton County registered voters must vote at their precinct polling location on Election Day.&nbsp;&nbsp;to find your polling location. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.&nbsp; » MORE NORTH TEXAS COUNTIES Get voting information at the following county websites: WHAT TO BRING TO THE POLLS One of seven forms of ID will get you into a voting booth.&nbsp; » What if your ID is expired? That's OK, to a degree.&nbsp; » What if you don't have one of the seven acceptable forms of voter ID? The state , like a utility bill or birth certificate, that you can use to vote if you don't "possess an acceptable form of photo identification, and cannot reasonably obtain one." In addition to presenting that secondary form of ID, you'll also need to fill out a "Reasonable Impediment Declaration" form. » What if you're a voter with special needs? Remember that a person of your choosing or an election worker . The only exception is that person can not be your employer or someone who represents your employer, or an officer or representative of your union. If you're physically unable to enter the polling location, you can even vote curbside. Send somone into the polling location to request an election worker meet you at the curb. If you're planning on arriving alone, call ahead to your county's elections office. How Did The Coronavirus Affect Mail-In Voting? reported that the pandemic has stirred a legal fight over mail-in voting in Texas. Democrats sued the state hoping to expand voting by mail as a safer alternative to in-person voting during the pandemic, but the Texas Supreme Court&nbsp;&nbsp;that a lack of immunity to the coronavirus alone does not qualify a voter to apply for a mail-in ballot. “We agree with the State that a voter’s lack of immunity to COVID-19, without more, is not a ‘disability’ as defined by the Election Code,” the court wrote in May. Texas voters can qualify for mail-in ballots if they are 65 years or older, have a disability or an illness or are confined in jail, according to the Texas secretary of state's office. Those who will not be in the county where they registered on Election Day and throughout the early voting period also have the option to request a ballot by mail. WHAT'S ON THE BALLOT »STATEWIDE &nbsp;|&nbsp; | »COLLIN COUNTY | | | | | | »DENTON COUNTY | | | »TARRANT COUNTY | | | Learn More About Candidates: U.S. Senate candidate Royce West has previously worked on police reform and criminal justice issues.&nbsp; MJ Hegar has been the front-runner throughout Texas' Democratic primary race for the U.S. Senate. She first launched her campaign by fighting for military combat roles for women.&nbsp; In the Democratic runoff for Texas' 24th Congressional District, retired Air Force Colonel Kim Olson will face off with Candace Valenzuela, a member of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch district school board.&nbsp; The Railroad Commission of Texas might be one of the most powerful government agencies you’ve never heard of. That’s because, despite the name, the commission regulates the Texas oil and gas industry. In this year’s primary runoff election, two Democrats are vying for a chance to run for a seat on the commission: Chrysta Castañeda and Roberto Alonzo. Both candidates point to their resumes as a reason for your vote. . Got a tip? Email Elizabeth Myong at . You can follow Elizabeth on Twitter . KERA News is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider today. Thank you. Tags:&nbsp;Years ago, when his kids were young, Texas Sen. Royce West remembers getting stopped by a cop.On July 14, Texas will hold its 2020 runoff elections to decide the final spots for Democrats and Republicans on the November general election ballot.&nbsp;Ahead of the July 14 runoff election, Democrats MJ Hegar and Texas State Sen. Royce West debated in Austin Saturday evening.

Voting is complicated during a typical election season, but the coronavirus pandemic has made the situation even more confusing. From what’s on the ballot to where to vote, here’s a helpful guide on what you need to know to vote on July 14 in North Texas’ runoff elections.&nbsp; The primaries were originally scheduled for May, but Gov. Greg Abbott and&nbsp;&nbsp;of the early voting period due to the coronavirus. Following the March primaries, the runoff elections include some hotly-contested races like the Democratic runoff for U.S. Senator between candidates Royce West, a Texas state...

Your Voting Guide For North Texas' 2020 Primary Runoff Election

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