Early voting held Oct. 13-30 for upcoming November election

Election Day is less than a month away, with early voting beginning soon and Cherokee County residents preparing to cast ballots from Oct. 13-30 at one of three polling sites in the county.

“We’re following the same COVID-19 safety precautions as we did last time, and will have sample ballots available next week,” said Cherokee County Election Administrator Shannon Cornelius.

Earlier this year, in July, the early voting period was extended by Governor Greg Abbott, who cited continued challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. Originally, early voting for the Nov. 3 election was to have started Oct. 19.

This extended period also was applied to a July 14 primary run-off – rescheduled from late March due to the pandemic – with large numbers of Cherokee County residents taking advantage of early voting.

After compiling results from the run-off, Cornelius said in mid-July that she was pleased with turnout, noting “people took advantage of early voting” and predicted similar response should there be extended early voting for the November elections.

On Friday, Oct. 2, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation enhancing ballot security protocols by having a single location designated as the drop-off site for in-person delivery of marked mail ballots for the Nov. 3 election.

“The State of Texas has a duty to voters to maintain the integrity of our election,” Abbot said. “As we work to preserve Texans’ ability to vote during the COVID-19 pandemic, we must take extra care to strengthen ballot security protocols throughout the state. These enhanced security protocols will ensure greater transparency and will help stop attempts at illegal voting.”

The Cherokee County Election Department, 138 W. 5th St. in Rusk, has been designated as the drop-off site for those with delivering by hand their marked mail ballots, Cornelius said.

Meanwhile, the election department is one of three early voting polling sites in the county; others are located at The River Church at 595 Marcus St. in Alto and at the Norman Activity Center, 526 E. Commerce St. in Jacksonville.

This November, along with the presidential race, a race for the U.S. Senator's seat in Texas and the State Representative District 11 seat, Cherokee County will have several races, including those for sheriff, tax assessor-collector, 2nd District Judge and district attorney.

Additional items on the November ballot include races for municipal and school districts, along with a $22.6 million bond election at Troup ISD. More detailed information will be published in next week’s Cherokeean-Herald.

Meanwhile, eligible Cherokee County voters can cast their ballots during the following hours:  
• Tuesday, Oct. 13: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Wednesday through Friday, Oct. 14-16: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17-18: Polls closed

Monday through Friday, Oct. 19-23: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Saturday, Oct. 24: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 25: 1 to 5 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 26: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 27: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Wednesday through Friday, Oct. 28-30: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Identification is required when voting in person, with a list of acceptable forms of photo ID found at www.votetexas.gov/register-to-

For more information, visit www.co.cherokee.tx.us/ips/cms/

Updated information also may be found on the department's Facebook page, “Cherokee County Elections Dept.”