SUGAR LAND, Texas – Fort Bend County Judge K.P. George held a news conference where he announced “major general election updates.”
George was joined by other county officials at the Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land where they provided updates and changes to a variety of topics including, voting mega-sites, mail ballot drop-off locations and extended hours.
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The 2020 election is going to be unprecedented, and according to county officials, they are expecting the number of registered voters to get close to 400,000.
Because of the expected turnout coupled with the coronavirus pandemic, George announced that the Smart Financial Centre will be used as a mega-voting site for county residents for early voting and election day voting.
George said he and other officials want to make sure voters get a fair opportunity and having Smart Financial Centre as a polling location will allow thousands of voters to cast their ballot.
During the news conference, George also announced that county residents will be able to cast their vote at any voting location in Fort Bend County, including Smart Financial Centre.
According to Fort Bend County Commissioner Ken DeMerchant, there will 60 voting machines set up and they expect it to be one of the most-used sites for voting.
However, voters should not be worried about going out to cast their vote. Fort Bend County District Attorney Brian Middleton said his office will make sure to maintain the integrity of the election and that the county is a safe place to vote.
“We will do everything possible to make our election fair and accessible,” George echoed. “... Study your candidates and learn about your candidates, and go exercise your right because so many people even died to give us this freedom to select your representative.”
George said the county is also working to get extended voting hours so people have more time to get their vote in. He expects an announcement to be made on that next week.
With regard to mail-in ballots, Fort Bend County Elections Administrator John Oldham said the county has begun mailing ballots and people are working to catch up on any backlog.
Once people are ready to send in their ballot, they can do so by mail or at one of the many drop-off locations throughout the county for those who do not want to vote in person but prefer not to send their ballot in the mail, George said.
George encouraged voters to keep an eye on the Fort Bend County website for the most up-to-date information.
Watch the full news update below:
🔴WATCH LIVE: Fort Bend County judge announces ‘major’ updates on the general election
Posted by KPRC2 / Click2Houston on Thursday, October 1, 2020