In the upcoming elections, voters in Bastrop County may be able to vote at any polling station in the county. 

The county recently submitted an application to join the state’s county-wide polling station program, which will allow residents to vote at any of the 17 polling stations proposed by the county for the upcoming primary election and still be able to receive Ballots to the electorate where they live. . 

The county election administrator, Kristin Miles, explained to the county commissioner at a meeting on Monday how participation in the voting plan will expand voters’ choice of voting locations. 

One requirement to join the state program is to use the direct recording electronic voting system purchased by the county in October. Miles said the machines are scheduled to be delivered next week. 

In addition, counties under the plan must use a computerized voter registration system. Bastrop County has been tracking votes online since 2008.

Myers said that computer tracking is important because it can enhance communication between polls and prevent residents from voting twice. 

The election department proposed five changes to the county’s current polling locations: 

The department also proposed to abolish five polling stations: 

With these changes, the number of polling stations in the county will be reduced from 22 to 17. 

These recommendations were made by the county election department in cooperation with the designated polling center advisory committee, which is composed of district officials and organizations representing minority voters and voters with disabilities. 

"If we are going to (vote) across the county, these changes are to accommodate the potential influx of voters," Myers said. 

The application to become part of the state’s voting program was sent to the Secretary of State on Monday, and Miles said it may take up to a month to decide whether the county’s application is approved or rejected. 

"The reason we chose to apply is for the convenience of voters," Myers told Bastrop advertisers. "...This will eliminate the need for voters to vote in a specific location, making it easier for voters to vote."