Early Voting in Texas Officially Kicks Off 2024 Election

By Evelyn Martinez

Reporting Texas

Students line up to vote early at the Texas Union on Oct. 23, 2024. Photo By Evelyn Martinez

Election season has arrived in Austin, with a record-setting number of residents casting their ballot.

 On Oct. 22, over 46,000 people voted in Travis County, surpassing the reported first-day early voting turnout of the last three presidential elections. 

The LBJ Library and University Union offer two polling locations on the east and west side of campus for easy access by UT students. Brian Peña, President of UT’s University Democrats, said his organization registered 9,000 students since the beginning of 2024, many of whom will be voting for the first time.

“People should be excited that they get to go out there and vote,” said UT student Ana Taveira. This will be her first time voting in a presidential election. “It’s a good habit to form when you’re young, so you keep going out there to vote every four years.”

Youth voter turnout in Texas has steadily grown with each major election year. According to the Alliance for Youth Action, the youth vote almost doubled its 2016 numbers during the 2020 election. With voter registration reaching new highs in Texas with every election season, voters aged 18-29 are already looking to break the record again.

All registered voters in Austin are able to visit any designated early voting locations in the city. Residents can find a comprehensive list, along with estimated wait times, on VoteTravis.org. All voters must bring a valid form of ID. Poll workers also recommend voters bring a list of candidates to refer to since no electronic devices may enter the booth.

Early voting ends on Nov. 1, with select locations, including the Union, remaining open until 10 p.m. on the final day. Polls will reopen from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.