TARRANT COUNTY, Texas — College student Jim Perez Salazar decided to cast his ballot on the first day of early voting. He joined hundreds of others at an early voting site on the campus of the University of Texas Arlington.
“I live close by,” Jim Perez Salazar, “I don't want to wait until Election Day because it would be very crowded.”
But Salazar’s college campus early voting site came into question during a September Commissioners Court meeting. Commission Chair Tim O'Hare raised questions about the campus being so close to another early voting site.
“I believe having two locations 3/10ths of a mile away from each other in your precinct is a waste of money and manpower," O’Hare said
But longtime Commissioner Charles Brooks challenged O'Hare along with Commissioner Alisa Simmons. The commissioners engaged in a dialogue discussing the college campus early voting sites, and after a majority vote to keep them open, the campus sites remained an option.
Simmons spent the first day of early voting visiting several campuses along with non-campus sites. She stressed the importance of early voting access to students and staff throughout the county, especially on campuses where students may have challenges with transportation.
“We also have lines out at T.C.C. Southeast campus throughout this morning," said Commissioner Simmons, "So, both campuses all campuses are necessary.”
Retired nurse Carolyn Jones lives near the UT Arlington. She spent the day running errands but decided to fit early voting on her to-do list instead of waiting until November 5.
“Actually, this is really a good location," said Carolyn Jones, "It didn't even take me maybe 5 minutes to get in and cast my vote.”
People at the Elzie Odom Athletic Center stood in long lines to cast their ballots on the first day of early voting. David Hooper has never missed an election. He expected a line at the athletic center but was in and out much faster than he anticipated.
"They're very efficient and you get in and get out here in 12 minutes," said David Hooper, "I've seen the line way back up here, and it took 15 minutes.
"Vote early if you can work it into your schedule so you make sure you get it done. Don't wait till the last day," Ann Duke said.
As of 3 p.m. in Tarrant County, about 43,765 people cast their ballot, officials said. That's compared to the approx. 42,000 on the entire first day of early voting in the 2020 presidential election.
Commissioners are glad to see early voting starting so strong in Tarrant County. In a statement from Judge Tim O’Hare, he encouraged voters to make a plan and utilize the wait time information available on the county's Elections homepage.
Voters can check wait times online here.