SAN MARCOS, Texas — Student activists at Texas State University are prepping for this November’s local elections, but their eyes are already on 2020. They’re working on getting a polling place on campus.
- Up to county commission to provide polling spots
- Students complained there aren't enough spots on campus
- County Commissioners will vote on locations next August
A bill failed in the Texas legislature that would have ensured on-campus polling locations. It came after an outcry from students about a lack of nearby places to vote. Now, it’ll remain up to county commissioners to vote on where students can cast their ballots.
That has some Texas State University students a little concerned.
With National Voter Registration Day upon us, Catherine Wicker with the Texas State Voting Standing Committee is preparing to engage her student body.
"We live here just as much as the community members," said Wicker.
The Hays County Commissioners Court has approved an on-campus polling place for the 2019 November election, but the vote to approve an on-campus location for the 2020 presidential election isn't until August.
According to at least one county commissioner we spoke with, the way he'll vote in August will depend on polling place turnout in the upcoming election. An off-year election doesn’t typically turn out a ton of voters.
"I am going to push until that vote happens. As I've told the commissioners court on the record multiple times, they're going to keep seeing my face, they're going to know me," Wicker said.
Hays County Elections Administrator Jennifer Anderson says Wicker and the rest of the 38,000 Texas State students don't have anything to worry about.
"We've had a polling place at Texas State in excess of ten years," said Anderson.
She has no doubt they'll get their polling place in 2020, but is one location enough for a student body that big?
"I caution, because I hear that a lot, that there's 38,000 students but not every one of the students are registered, not every one of those students will vote," said Anderson.
Wicker's hopeful turnout will be so strong in November, the commissioners will secure one polling place and tack on another to accommodate students' unique circumstances that she says often keeps them from casting a ballot.
"Not only do they work, most of our students, they're also in class full-time, and many of our students don't have access to a car," said Wicker.
During the 2018 midterm election, Texas State University students complained about a lack of polling places on campus throughout early voting and on Election Day. After facing potential litigation, Hays County re-opened the campus polling location. Starting in November, you can vote at any vote center in the county, rather than just being able to vote in your precinct.