The recent extensive flooding across various areas of the county has raised concerns about the safety of Liberty County voters and poll workers. In response, the Liberty County Clerk’s Office has taken action by implementing measures to ensure voting access during this historic flooding event.
As a result of the flooding, the Liberty County Clerk’s Office has extended the voting hours from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m, adding an extra hour, on Election Day, which falls on Saturday, May 4. Additionally, the office has made the difficult decision to temporarily close three polling locations.
The closed polling locations are Plum Grove City Hall, Tarkington Prairie Baptist Church and the Santa Fe Administration Building (Colony Ridge). All three locations or the roads leading to these locations have been impacted most severely by the storm, according to County Clerk Lee Haidusek Chambers.
The County Clerk clarified that her office does not have the authority to cancel elections. As per the Texas Election Code sections 2.081 and 2.082, only the entity that ordered the election holds the power to do so, subject to statutory authority.
“The city or school affected by the flooding will need to confer with their legal counsel and determine whether or not they can cancel and act accordingly. We have to go on with the elections the best we can, and just keep praying for those being affected by this terrible flooding,” she said.
The following locations will be operational from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 4. Voters may go to any one of these locations to cast their ballots. You do not have to vote within your home precinct as the ballots are custom-printed for each voter once they sign in to vote.
- Hardin City Hall, 142 C.R. 2010, Hardin, Texas (Curbside voting available)
- Devers Elementary School, 201 Chism St., Devers, Texas
- Cleveland ISD Annex Building, 316 E. Dallas St., Cleveland, Texas (Curbside voting available)
- Dolen Baptist Church Gym, 10078 F.M. 787, Cleveland, Texas
- Tarkington ISD Meeting Room, 72 C.R. 2268, Cleveland, Texas
- Hull-Daisetta High School, 117 N. Main St., Daisetta, Texas
- Jack Hartel Admin. Building, 318 San Jacinto St., Liberty, Texas (Curbside voting available)
- Cleveland Civic Center, 210 Peach Ave., Cleveland, Texas (Curbside voting available)
- Dayton Community Center, 801 S. Cleveland St., Dayton, Texas (Curbside voting available)
- Ames City Hall, 304 Martin St., Ames, Texas
The May 4 ballots include races for City of Ames, Cleveland ISD, City of Cleveland, City of Dayton, City of Liberty, Liberty ISD, City of Plum Grove, City of Daisetta, Devers ISD, Hull Fresh Water Supply District and Tarkington ISD’s bond election.
Several entities were able to cancel their elections this May due to having unopposed races. Those canceling their elections are the Liberty County Hospital District No. 1, Dayton ISD, Hardin ISD, Hull-Daisetta ISD, City of Kenefick, City of Hardin, and Liberty County Water Control and Improvement District No. 5.
If you have any questions or require further information, please contact the Liberty County Clerk’s Office at 936-336-4670 or 936-253-8050.
So illegal invaders can vote now?
Never have been able to, never will be. I know there are a lot of folks heavily invested in making sure you think that. But the law remains clear they can’t. Hope that helps.
Still trying to figure out why Tarkington Prarie Baptist was closed. All other back up locations required driving down 321 as well. Seems like somebody wanted a few less TISD bond votes.