AUSTIN, Texas — June 29 marked the first test of voting during the coronavirus pandemic in Texas. Early voting for the July 14 runoff elections kicked off Monday and runs for two weeks. Elections officials and poll workers are taking precautions, as many voters say getting out there early was key to them deciding to vote in person. Coronavirus cases and hospitalizations continue to rise in the state.

What You Need To Know


  • Early voting for runoff elections started Monday, June 29

  • Some Texans feel safe enough to participate in in-person voting 

  • Numerous safeguards and social distancing measures in place at polls

  • Early voting in Texas continues through July 10

At 90 years old, Wilhemina Delco has voted in a lot of elections. The Texas primary runoff happening during a pandemic was not going to stop the former Texas House of Representatives member from heading to vote in person, even though she qualifies for voting by mail. Delco said she prefers to vote in person as long as it is early and she trusts the poll workers in her longtime East Austin community. 

LINK: Texas 2020 Elections

“You get a good sense of where you're going to vote, what you're doing when you vote, and what to do with the ballot when you’re finished. So it's clean, it’s organized, and it's clear,” Delco said. 

As the first African American elected to public office in Austin, and a 20-year member of the Texas Legislature, she understands how important it is to exercise the right to vote. 

“I feel very proud of me, because I can't make excuses for what happen if I don't do my part and make sure that the people I think will do a good job get elected. If you don't vote, you can’t complain, ” she said.

LINK: Know Your Electeds

Texans voting in person were met with many precautions, like poll workers behind face masks and shields, even though such face coverings are not mandated by state leaders. In some counties, there are fewer voting machines and markers to keep people six feet apart. Some voters were offered disposable latex finger guards so they did not have to touch the voting machines directly.

“It seems a little scary, because there's the pandemic going on. But it was ... honestly, it seemed very safe. Everybody was really far apart. They were six feet or more people were wearing masks,” voter Ian Strain-Seymour said.  

“I chose to vote on the first day of early voting because of concern for the crowds. Thankfully, it was pretty light in there, there was no wait,” Harvey Bowers, another voter, said.

LINK: Texas State Government

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott postponed the primary runoff election, saying at the time that holding it in May “would threaten the health and safety of many Texans.” In May, the COVID-19 positivity rate in Texas peaked at nearly 7 percent, whereas presently it is nearly 15 percent. Abbott extended early voting to two weeks.

But with the runoffs being a typically low-turnout election, there is no telling how this could all play out in November when thousands more voters are expected to show up. Regardless, Delco is confident elections officials will work hard to protect the democratic process and keep Texans safe. 

“The reason we live in a democracy is because we have a right to determine who makes the public decisions and who spends our tax money. They are accountable to us, or we don't reelect them.  If you don't vote, you have no voice in what goes on with your money and your issues,” she said.

Early voting goes on until July 10.