Lines to vote in Hays County may be long, officials anticipating high turnout

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – Hays County officials said they anticipate high election turnout, which might lead to lines at early voting locations. 

Election officials said in the first few days of early voting, there have been wait times of more than 20 minutes at several of the polling locations. In anticipation, Hays County election officials opened a new polling place at the Jovie Belterra in Dripping Spring, Texas. 

“There seems to be an exceptionally high level of early voting, that's been true in Hays County,” said William DeSoto, a Professor of Political Science at Texas State University. “If people were more sanguine or calm about our democratic process, then maybe there wouldn’t be so much interest.”

After the first two full days of early voting, nearly 10% of registered voters in Texas have already cast their ballots. DeSoto said some level of anxiety may be driving voters to the booth. 

“I think it's an election with a lot of deep undercurrents, which increases interest, but then also increases the level of concern that many Americans feel,” DeSoto said. 

If you are concerned you might have to wait in a long line at your preferred polling place, you can check out wait times online.