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Voting turnout strong
Published October 20, 2004
ANGLETON — The presidential race might not be tight in Texas, but that hasn’t stopped voters from flocking to the polls in the first two days of early voting for the Nov. 2 election.
In two days of early voting, 7,032 people have cast ballots in the county, easily beating the previous two-day high of 4,700 set in 2000.
On Monday, 3,288 people cast ballots, by far the highest opening day total in the county since early voting by appearance began in 1992. In 2000, 2,950 people voted on the first day.
Brazoria County election officials are expecting a turnout similar to 1992, when more than 70 percent of registered voters went to the polls. Like this year, an incumbent President Bush was facing a strong challenge from a Democrat. George H.W. Bush lost the election to Bill Clinton that year but took Texas. His son is in a tight race nationwide with Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, though he is leading handily in Texas polls.
Brazoria County Clerk Joyce Hudman was almost giddy Tuesday talking about the turnout. She said north-end voters are coming out in the greatest numbers, creating the need for more voter sign-in sheets than usual.
“In Manvel, they vote one sheet, maybe,” she said. “They voted six sheets (Monday).”
Hudman said early voting usually doesn’t peak until the second week.
“I think it will pick up next week,” she said.
Hudman said she’s also getting a lot of phone calls from people asking about limited ballots. Citizens who moved to Brazoria County after the voter registration deadline may vote here in some races if their registration was up to date in their old county.
“They can vote in any common races between Brazoria County and their previous county,” said Janice Evans, who heads the elections division of the clerk’s office.
Early voting continues through Oct. 29. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Friday. On Saturday, they will be open from 7 a.m to 7 p.m. They will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. all next week, as well.
For information, call the elections division, (979) 864-1371.
BY THE NUMBERS
Turnout by early voting location through two days:
Alvin 1,250
Angleton 1,075
Brazoria 708
Clute 1,441
Manvel 249
Pearland 1,473
Mail ballots 836
LOCATIONS
Early voting for the Nov. 2 election through Oct. 29 at the following locations:
Alvin
Alvin Library
105 S. Gordon
Brazoria
Precinct 4 county barn
1001 Market St.
Angleton
Brazoria County Courthouse West Annex
451 N. Velasco St., Room 144
Clute
CenterPoint Energy, 202 Highway 332 West
Manvel
Justice of the Peace, pct. 2, pl. 1 courtroom
20351 Highway 6
Pearland
Justice of the Peace, pct. 3, pl. 2 courtroom
3801 E. Pear
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