Voters walk outside during the first day of early voting Oct. 19 at the Tarrant County Sub-Courthouse in Arlington. Election Day is Nov. 3.
Students and Arlington residents lined up in the Tarrant County Sub-Courthouse in Arlington on Monday for the first day of early voting for the Nov. 3 midterm election.
Residents can participate in early voting until Oct. 30 and can vote for the Texas governor, U.S. State races, the state Supreme Court and county positions, according to previous Shorthorn reporting.
With the Maverick Activities Center not available as a voting site, the Tarrant County Sub-Courthouse in Arlington is the closest voting site to UTA and is one of six spots for Arlington voters to use during the early voting period, according to previous Shorthorn reporting.
Arlington resident Phyllis Green, 54, said she believes voting is a civic duty and a right that should be exercised.
“I’ve been in education for 27 years,” Green said. “There’s certain issues that are important to me.”
To prepare for voting, she said, she printed out the Tarrant County ballot. She researched each candidate’s beliefs and thought about what would be best for herself, her students, her children and her grandchildren.
Green said it was important to see candidates’ opinions on issues like affordable healthcare and economic concerns, such as the rising cost of gas.
“I’ve never been one of those that felt like my vote didn’t count,” she said. “I’ve always exercised my right to vote.”
Campaign signs are displayed outside during the first day of early voting Oct. 19 at the Tarrant County Sub-Courthouse in Arlington. The early voting period runs through Oct. 30.
Arlington resident Becca Workman, 36, said she and her husband, Arlington resident Scott Eidson, 38, took the day off for their wedding anniversary.
Together, they researched using Ballotpedia and candidates’ campaign websites. They also discussed what’s best for them as a couple and as individuals. Workman brought a paper of her decisions with her, because phones are not allowed in the voting booths.
“It’s not scary,” Workman said. “There’s nothing scary here. All you need is your ID, and you push a bunch of buttons.”
Arlington resident Cynthia Barragan, 47, said voting is a way to help leave a legacy.
“It is very well known that people, especially kids, they feel like their vote doesn’t count, but it really does, especially right now when so many things are on the line,” Barragan said.
She said she saw people in her neighborhood offering free rides to the polls. There are resources for those with no transportation, Barragan said.
She said young people need to realize that they are important to the future.
“You guys are it,” Barragan said. “We are dependent on you.”
For many residents, voting became a family event to mark with family photos and “I Voted” stickers. Others stopped by after work to ensure they could cast their ballot before the day ended.
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