Run-Off Running Out of Steam

Another blow to the myth of politically engaged Austin: With early voting ending today in the May 27 primary run-offs, turnout in Travis County stands at a whopping 2.32%.

Unsurprisingly, participation in the contentious Republican primaries is higher than Dem turnout (although still embarrassing), with the slam-bam fight between Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst still only garnering a total of 8,349 (1.32% of eligible registered voters.)

It's even more dismal on the blue side of the aisle. Whether it's disinterest in the US Senate conflagration between newbie David Alameel and Lyndon LaRouche supporter Kesha Rogers, or the hold-your-nose choice in the Agriculture Commissioner race between Kinky Friedman and Jim Hogan, only 6,358 locals (1%) bothered to show up.

See our full endorsements in this week's issue, and if you feel like exercising your democratic right, here's how you can do it today.

Early Voting: You may vote at any early voting location in the county in which you are registered. On election day, you may vote at any precinct polling place in Travis County.

Voter ID: Texas law now requires registered voters to show a current photo ID issued by either the Texas Dept. of Public Safety or U.S. government. For more info on obtaining a photo ID, contact DPS: 512/424-2600 or www.txdps.state.tx.us. No photo ID is required when voting by mail.

More election info:
•Travis County: www.votetravis.com, www.traviscountyelections.org, or 512/238-VOTE (8683).
• Williamson Co.: www.wilco.org/elections or 512/943-1630.
• Hays Co.: www.co.hays.tx.us/elections.aspx or 512/393-7310.

Early Voting Locations

Open 7am-7pm, unless noted.

CENTRAL

Fiesta Mart, 3909 N. I-35

Howson Library, 2500 Exposition (10am-5:30pm)

Travis Co. Offices, 5501 Airport

EAST

Parque Zaragoza Rec. Ctr., 2608 Gonzales (11am-6pm)

NORTHEAST

County Tax Office, 15822 Foothill Farms Loop, Pflugerville

Gus Garcia Recreation Center, 1201 E. Rund­berg, (9am-6pm)

NORTHWEST

Randalls, 10900-D Research

Randalls, 5145-A RR 620 N., Steiner Ranch

NORTH

Ben Hur Shrine Center, 7811 Rockwood

SOUTH

H-E-B, 2400 S. Congress

Randalls, 2025 W. Ben White

SOUTHEAST

Fiesta Mart, 5510 S. I-35

SOUTHWEST

Randalls, 6600 S. MoPac

Randalls, 9911 Brodie

Wheatsville Co-op, 4001 S. Lamar (8am-7pm)

WEST

Randalls, 3300 Bee Caves Rd., West Lake Hills

Randalls, 2301 RR 620 S., Lakeway

Mobile Voting

Travis Co. Courthouse, 1000 Guadalupe, 8am-5pm

LBJ Building, 111 E. 17th, 9am-5pm

UT Flawn Center, 8am-5pm