NEW BOSTON, Texas -- Bowie County voters might soon be able to vote at any polling place in the county in the November general election.
Commissioners Court approved a measure asking the Texas Secretary of State to allow the county to install countywide vote centers. The move, if approved, would permit registered voters to cast ballots at polling places throughout the county instead of at assigned voting locations.
"Basically, a vote center is a polling place where any registered voter in Bowie County may vote," county Elections Administrator Pat McCoy said." Simply stated, with voting centers, there's no wrong place to vote."
During his presentation to commissioners Monday, McCoy said voting centers would make election day more convenient for voters, as well as potentially increase voter turnout. He also said it would prevent eligible voters from being turned away for being at the wrong polling place.
If approved at the state level, Bowie County would create 22 vote centers at strategic locations in county on election. The Commissioners Court would finalize the locations.
McCoy also said the county now has the necessary equipment and technology to provide a smooth countywide voting process, even if the state does not approve the voting centers.