With the November elections on the horizon, Brazos County is preparing for a significant voter turnout — with a particular focus on the area’s sizeable population of college students.

Early voting begins Nov. 5, with a wide range of races on the ballot. The county is prioritizing that every eligible voter has the opportunity to participate. College students are advised to review and possibly update their voter registrations. 

According to Trudy Hancock, the Brazos County elections administrator for the upcoming cycle, a magnitude of votes will be cast this November — stressing the importance of student participation in local and national elections.

“We’re preparing for over 100,000 votes to be cast in November,” Hancock said. “We’re currently at 127,000 [registered] voters. We have a full slate this year, starting at president all the way down to local city races.”

This wide scope of choices means that voters, especially the college students who make up a substantial part of the Brazos County electorate, will have an opportunity to make their voices heard. For students who currently live in Brazos County but are still registered to vote in their hometowns, Hancock offers guidance on whether or not to update their voter registration.

“If you’re just here for a year, it may not be much of an inconvenience to leave your registration where you’re from,” Hancock said. “If you’re going to be here for a couple of years … then I would go ahead and move my registration. It would just make things a lot easier.”

Students wanting to change their registration location can visit the Brazos County voting page to download and complete the necessary forms. According to Hancock, the form can be filled out online, but it must be printed, signed and mailed to the elections office. 

“[Students] could mail [their] ballot[s], or you could vote [with] what they call a limited ballot … But that will move your registration,” Hancock said. This option is quite limited, as it allows students to vote at only one of the early voting locations in Brazos County located in downtown Bryan.

Early voting will be from Oct. 21 to Nov. 1 at several locations, including the Brazos County Election Administrator Office and the Memorial Student Center. Early voting hours are as follows:

• Monday, Oct. 21–Friday, Oct. 25: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 26: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 27: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 28–Friday, Nov. 1: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.

Election Day voting takes place on Nov. 5 at sites across the county, including Millican United Methodist Church, College Station Utilities Meeting & Training Facility and the MSC. A comprehensive list of voting centers is available on the county’s election website.

Despite these opportunities, voter turnout among college students has been lower compared to older generations. Hancock attributes this to their strenuous schedules.

“I don’t know if it’s just that they’re so busy and wrapped up in … life and college … that they don’t take the time [to vote],” Hancock said. 

Regardless, Hancock stressed the importance of participating in the electoral process. 

“If you don’t go vote, you can’t really complain about how things are … whether your side wins or loses,” Hancock said. “If you don’t vote, then your voice is not heard.”

Hancock advised students to research candidates and their platforms, as legislators and other officials on the ballot this year will impact policies from education to local regulations, all of which affect students’ daily lives.

“Google them,” Hancock said. “See what they stand for. If they’re an incumbent, you can look back and see how they voted on things.” 

Both the Brazos County Republican Party and the Brazos County Democratic Party have websites that provide online resources for voters to review. Hancock also brought up the potential benefit of joining forums.

“That’s a really good place to go and maybe interact with the candidates,” Hancock said. “It’s more personal than just reading something on the internet.”

To cast a ballot in Brazos County, voters must present a photo ID. For out-of-state students without a Texas driver’s license, other government-issued IDs are acceptable. However, they will need to complete an additional form indicating they are using a non-Texas ID. 

“You would check in, place your vote … fill out your ballot at the machine and then place it in the box,” Hancock said.

The deadline for registering to vote or changing registration location is Oct. 7. Applications for a mail-in ballot must be received by 5 p.m. on Oct. 25. 

As Election Day approaches, the involvement of young voters will be crucial in determining the outcomes of local and national races. Hancock emphasizes the administration’s effort to make voting accessible.

“We’re a vote center model county … so you can vote at any location,” Hancock said. “We try to make it super convenient.” 

With many early voting options and a wide array of polling centers, Hancock said the administration wants Brazos County citizens to influence the future of their community and their country.

“We want to be sure that all voices are heard,” Hancock said.