By Tabitha Redder/managing editor

Early voting will be available on four TCC campuses next week as voters choose new state and local representatives.

This election will yield the first new governor in 14 years because the incumbent, Rick Perry, is not running for re-election. Voters can choose between the Republican candidate, State Attorney General Greg Abbott, or the Democratic candidate, State Sen. Wendy Davis.

Tarrant County Elections Office administrator Frank Phillips praised the accessibility of early voting compared to voting on Nov. 4.

“The good thing about those early voting sites is that a voter can choose any of those sites to vote in during that voting period. If you wait, you have to go to your Election Day site within your precinct, so it’s a little more restrictive,” he said. “That’s the main advantage. You have a longer period so you can find a location and time frame that fits your schedule.”

Students like NW’s Michael Beryerle said he will vote but will wait to do it on Election Day, Nov. 4.

“It’s just easier for me to go to the place I always do. I know where my spot is. I go there, show my ID and vote,” he said. “I do it at a fire station, actually.”

SE student Adjoa Boateng will also wait until November to vote.

“I haven’t really voted before, so I want to vote the day of, so I get a better understanding of how this works,” she said.
Phillips encourages students to become involved in the political process and vote.

“This is an important election,” he said. “It’s been a long time since we’ve had a new governor in Texas, so there’s a great opportunity to have your say in that.”

Early voting sites across TCC campuses are open Oct. 28-30. NE Campus will have voting in the Student Center Galley (NSTU 1506), NW will hold it in WSTU 1305, South in the Student Center (SSTU 1112) and SE in the North Ballroom. TR Campus does not offer early voting at this time. All voting sites are open to the public 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

For more information, call Tarrant County Elections at 817-831-8683.