HOUSTON – NRG Arena has been designated as the election headquarters for the Harris County Clerk’s Office for the upcoming 2020 presidential election, NRG Park officials announced Monday.
Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins said the arena is a perfect polling location given concerns about voting during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Wide open spaces and corridors, where we can put out voting machines in ways that are socially distant from one another, and allow people to vote safely,” Hollins told KPRC 2.
In addition to in-person voting, NRG Park will also serve as a drive-thru voting location, something Hollins likens to pulling up at your favorite fast-food restaurant.
“It is indeed like voting at Sonic, you pull into a booth, the voting machine is right there for you, we log you in and you’re allowed to cast your votes. You’ll only interact with one election worker, and you won’t interact with any other voters,” Hollins said.
The arena will also serve as an early voting and Election Day location.
Early, in-person voting will be held Oct. 13-30 in Hall D at NRG Arena.
Drive-thru early voting will be held Oct. 13-30 in NRG Park’s Blue Lot 16. Entry for all voting will be Gate 8 off of Kirby Drive.
In-person Election Day voting will be held Nov. 3 at NRG Arena Proper.
Election Day drive-thru voting will be in NRG Park’s Blue Lot 16, however, parking and entry gates are subject to change, according to the news release.
“We are proud to provide this facility for Harris County voters to participate in one of the most important rights and responsibilities that we as citizens have,” Executive Director of the Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation Ryan Walsh said. “We’re honored to do our part in giving our community every opportunity to vote during this unprecedented election year.”
NRG Park will adhere to all CDC and Public Health guidelines regarding social distancing and face coverings. NRG Park has pledged to maintain the highest standards of public safety and health for the community as proud participants of Houston Clean and ASM Global’s Venue Shield.
For more information, please visit nrgpark.com