SAN MARCOS, Texas - With so many Texans casting ballots, there have been complaints about not enough places to vote.

  • Texas State students initially only had 3 days to vote early on campus
  • Students complained that the lines were so long they were missing classes
  • Some students claimed it was voter suppressoin; Hays County commissioners denied that claim

Texas State University students spoke up about that very issue - loud enough that Hays County leaders listened. An early voting polling place on campus opened back up on Thursday, and some civic-minded students are celebrating. 

"It's especially convenient for me because I don't have a car," said one Texas State senior.  

But just a couple days ago, phones were ringing off the hook at the Hays County Elections Office with students complaining about a lack of locations to vote. This kind of enthusiasm from young voters is a first for Elections Director Jennifer Anderson. 

Initially, students only had three days to vote early on campus. Texas State senior Sara Singer said lines were out of control. 

"People were waiting hours on end, having to miss their classes just to vote," said Singer.  

She felt county officials were suppressing the young vote.

"There has to be a reason why they only want it to be such a limited number of days, so I think it's kind of questionable," said Singer.  

So students demanded the poll site reopen to accommodate the increased student turnout. After being threatened by a lawsuit, Hays County commissioners voted to extend early voting on campus from three days to five. Commissioners have dismissed accusations about trying to suppress any votes.

"Both of the party chairs approve our voting schedule, they do that in August. So, they would bring any concerns to us if they thought we weren't covering certain areas. And historically, I think three days probably have been adequate on campus. Obviously this year it was not," said Republican Hays County Commissioner Lon Shell.  

As for the voting lines on campus now...

"I only waited about five or six minutes to vote, got in. Pretty happy about that," said another Texas State voter.