As election day approaches, people may wonder exactly what to do when it comes to the upcoming presidential and local elections. People must decide if they want to vote, and then go through the process of getting registered and getting their vote in.
Before anything else, a person must decide whether or not they want to participate in the election. While a multitude of reasons exist to forgo voting such as missing voter registration date, each vote really does count and every person’s voice matters.
A person wanting to register to vote must meet the age requirement of eighteen years and prove that they have lived in the United States for at least thirty days prior to election day. Voters cannot register online this year, and the city warns people of fake online registration sites. People can only register by mail or taking their registration ballot directly to the Randall County Election Administration office at 1604 5th Ave., Canyon.
Mail-in ballots make voting much more inclusive this year, making it easier to reach rural voters, elderly voters, and voters afflicted with COVID-19. Voters who meet the criteria issued by the state can use mail-in ballots. Voters should submit their vote-by-mail applications via email to the election administrator or via fax (fax number 806-468-5634). Voters should contact the Randall County election administration if they qualify to vote by mail and send in ballots at least seven days before election day to ensure that the votes count toward the election. Votes matter all the more this election, as many citizens expect to have issues sending in ballots via mail.
In addition to using mail-in ballots, this election is also the first in over 100 years to abandon straight party voting. This means that instead of voting for all of the candidates in one party, voters will have to select a person for every open seat. With this development, it may take longer to fill in a ballot, and the government encourages voters to try a practice ballot before election day. Many voters support this change, as they now have the choice to elect a person based on their individual beliefs rather than their political affiliations.
This year’s election will include choices for:
-U.S. President
-U.S. Senator
-Railroad Commissioner
-Texas Supreme Court
-Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
-State Board of Education
-United States Representative
-Potter County Attorney
-Potter County Constable Precinct No. 4
-City Propositions in regards to Civic Center upgrades and city commission terms.
U.S. President
Joseph R. Biden Jr.
-Former Vice President under Barak Obama
-77 yrs. Old
-Holds healthcare as one of his top priorities
-Values bipartisanship and maintaining the U.S.’s status as a national power
Donald J. Trump
-Current President
-74 yrs. Old
-Has focused on undoing the policies of the Obama administration and improving US economy
-Trade deals with China and members of NAFTA arguably encapsulates his time as president to date
In order to vote, voters should educate themselves on the beliefs and policies of all candidates for all offices and decide who best suits the voter’s individual beliefs and values. Come election day November 3rd, citizens will have many important decisions to make that will, when combined with other votes, have a impact on the future of the country.
For more information, visit:
https://randallcounty.com/166/Election-Administration
https://www.wellandgood.com/why-is-voting-important/
https://ballotpedia.org/Presidential_candidates,_2020
Voters can vote at the following locations:
Early voting for Potter County (October 13-30):
-Santa Fe Building-900 S. Polk St., First Floor Ticket Office, Amarillo, TX 79101
-Casey Carpet One-Main Entrance, 3500 I-40 West Frontage Road, Amarillo, TX 79102
-United Amigos-West Entrance, 3300 East I-40, Amarillo, TX 79103
-Hillside Christian Church NW-Main Entrance, 600 Tascosa Road, Amarillo, TX 79124
-Cornerstone Outreach-1111 N. Buchanan St., Fellowship Room, Amarillo, TX 79107
Election Day for Potter County (November 3):
-United Citizens Forum-901 N. Hayden, Main Entrance, Amarillo, TX 79107
-Casey Carpet One-Main Entrance, 3500 I-40 West Frontage Road, Amarillo, TX 79102
-Wesley Community Center-1615 S. Roberts, NW Entrance, Senior Living Room, Amarillo, TX 79102
-Valle de Oro Fire Station-23801 FM 1061, New Station on the Right, Valle de Oro, TX 79010
-Second Baptist Church-419 N. Buchanan, Family Life Center, Amarillo, TX 79107
-Amarillo Auto Supply & Off Road-3601 Amarillo Blvd. East, Main Entrance, Amarillo, TX 79107
-Trinity Baptist Church-1601 I-40 West, East Entrance, Rock Auditorium, Amarillo, TX 79109, East Entry by the Roc
-Chaparral Hills Church-4000 W. Cherry, SW Entrance, Sanctuary, Amarillo, TX 79108
-Discovery Center-1200 Streit Dr., SW Entrance, Dry Lab, Amarillo, TX 79106
-The Church at Bushland-1800 FM 2381, SE Entrance, Foyer to Worship Room, Bushland, TX 79103
-Kids, Inc. 2201 SE 27th-Main Entrance, Mary E. Bivins Room, Amarillo, TX 79103
-Hillside Christian Church NW-Main Entrance, 600 Tascosa Road, Amarillo, TX 79124802
-Highland Park ISD-Admin. Building, 15300 E. Amarillo Blvd., Main Entrance, Board Room, Amarillo, TX 79108
-Lighthouse Baptist Church-5631 Pavillard, Main Entrance, Amarillo, TX, 79108
-Pride Home Center-3503 NE 24th, Main Entrance, Center Back of Store, Amarillo, TX 79108
Early Voting for Randall County:
-Randall County Election Administration Office-1604 5th Ave., Canyon, TX 79105
-Randall County Annex-43320 S. Western, Amarillo, TX, 79110
-Randall County Justice Center-2309 Russell Long Blvd., Canyon, TX 79015
-Southwest Branch Library-6801 W 45th Ave., Amarillo, TX 79109
-Comanche Trail Church of Christ-2700 E. 34th, Amarillo, TX 79103
Election Day for Randall County:
-The Cowboy Church-8837 S. Washington, Amarillo, TX 79118
-Arden Road Baptist-6701 Arden Road, Amarillo, TX 79109
-Comanche Trail Church-2700 E. 34th, Amarillo, TX 79103
-Central Baptist Church-1601 SW 58th, Amarillo, TX 79110
-Randall County Justice Center-2309 Russell Long Blvd., Canyon, TX 79105
-Oasis Southwest Baptist Church-8201 Canyon Drive, Amarillo, TX 79110
-Southwest Church of Christ-4515 Cornell, Amarillo, TX 79109
-Randall County Annex-4320 S. Western, Amarillo, TX 79110
-Redeemer Christian Church-3701 S. Soncy, Amarillo, TX 79121
-The Summit-2008 12th Ave., Canyon, TX 79105
-Southwest Branch Library-6801 W. 45th Ave., Amarillo, TX 79109
-Coulter Road Baptist Church-4108 S. Coulter, Amarillo, TX 79109
-Journey Church-9711 FM 2186, Amarillo, TX 79119
