PUBLIC NOTICE: ELLIS COUNTY, TEXAS HEALTH PROTOCOLS FOR VOTERS FOR THE NOVEMBER 3, 2020 GENERAL AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS
Voter and poll worker safety at the polls is our top priority in Ellis County. We want to keep everyone safe during this COVID-19 pandemic.
These past few months have been unusual with moving dates of elections, adding days to early voting, and preparing health-safety measures at the poll place while still having the unknowns and changes each day.
Our office is committed to providing safe and accessible voting with the same security and integrity we have always provided during an election. Processes are completed according to the Election Code and that has not changed; we are just working with stronger health protocols than we have before for the voter and for the poll worker’s safety.
We ask Ellis County voters to join us and participate with our recommended voter health protocols to continue to make our county safer during this voting season.
Unless the courts rule differently or if CDC changes any guidelines, the 2020 elections will be conducted with the recommended health protocols advised to our department from the Secretary of State’s office. For more questions, please call the office at 972-825-5195 or email at elections@co.ellis.tx.us
The following are the minimum recommended health protocols that will be in place for the General and Special Elections. Individuals are encouraged to adopt additional protocols consistent with their specific needs and circumstances to help protect the health and safety of all Poll Workers and Voters.
RECOMMENDED HEALTH PROTOCOLS FOR VOTERS
1. Wear a face covering (over nose and mouth). However, if a poll worker needs to verify identity of the voter, they will ask for the mask to be removed and then replaced for the duration of the voting process.
2. Wash or disinfect hands upon entering and exiting the voting area along with practicing cough etiquette, cleanliness, and sanitation.
3. Maintain at least six feet of physical distance between any others where possible.
4. Bring your own pen to sign your name or fill out any documents at check-in.
5. Use the provided disposable cotton swab to make your ballot selections on the marking device without physically touching the device.
6. Individuals aged 65 and older should stay at home and consider submitting an Application for a Ballot by Mail (deadline of October 23).
7. Self-screen before going to the polling place. Voters who exhibit any CDC listed symptoms associated with COVID-19 may want to consider utilizing curbside voting at the polling place, to the extent they meet the eligibility requirements.
RECOMMENDED HEALTH PROTOCOLS
FOR POLL WORKERS
1. Face shields, gloves, and masks will be provided to the poll workers.
2. Consistent disinfecting of items that come in contact with voters such as check-in tables, writing utensils, voting system equipment, chairs, handrails, and doors leading in and out of the polling place.
3. Workers will be trained on appropriate cleaning and disinfection protocols, hand hygiene, and cough etiquette.
4. Poll Workers will self-screen for any CDC listed symptoms before entering the polling place.
5. To the extent feasible, maintain at least six feet between others at the polling location.
6. Arrange polling place and marking the floor with masking tape to allow voters to maintain at least six feet separation from other voters.
Notice is hereby given of state law for acceptable credentials for voting in person. A voter will be required to show one of the seven approved forms of photo identification or voters who do not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of the seven forms of approved photo ID will be able to execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and provide a supporting form of identification.
VOTING IN-PERSON DURING EARLY VOTING
It is recommended for voters to vote during the three weeks of the early voting period and to arrive at non-peak times (mid-morning and mid-afternoon) to help avoid long lines for easier social distancing. All eligible registered voters in Ellis County, Texas, may vote at any of the below listed Early Voting Vote Centers. Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted at:
Main Location: Lugar principal:
First United Methodist Church (Fidelis Hall)
505 W. Marvin Ave., Waxahachie, TX 5165
Branch Locations: Ubicación de sucursal:
Ellis County Sub-Courthouse (Foyer)
207 S. Sonoma Trail, Ennis TX 75119
Midlothian Conference Center (Ballroom/Foyer)
1 Community Circle Dr., Midlothian, TX 76065
Palmer ISD Annex Building (Portable Building)
303 Bulldog Way, Palmer, TX 75152
Grace Covenant Church (Dining Hall)
212 N. Main Street, Red Oak, TX 75154
Harvest of Praise (House of Manna Room)
2603 S. Hampton Rd., Glenn Heights, TX 75154
October 13, 2020 (Tuesday through Friday) October 16, 2020
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
October 17, 2020 (Saturday)
8:00 A.M. - 4:00 p.m.
October 19, 2020 (Monday through Friday) October 23, 2020
8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
October 24, 2020 (Saturday)
7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
October 25, 2020 (Sunday)
1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
October 26, 2020 (Monday through Friday) October 30, 2020
7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
13 de Octubre, 2020 (Martes hasta Viernes) al 16 de Octubre, 2020
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
17 de Octubre, 2020 (Sábado)
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
19 de Octubre, 2020 (Lunes hasta Viernes) al 23 de Octubre, 2020
8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
24 de Octubre, 2020 (Sábado)
7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
25 de Octubre, 2020 (Domingo)
1:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
26 de Octubre, 2020 (Lunes hasta Viernes) al 30 de Octubre, 2020
7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
VOTING IN-PERSON DURING EARLY VOTING OR ON ELECTION DAY BY CURBSIDE
If you are physically unable to enter the polling place without personal assistance or the likelihood of injuring the voter’s health, or you exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19 you may vote curbside. When you arrive at the polling location, locate and park at the “Curbside Voting” sign. Follow the instructions on the sign and a poll worker will be there to assist you.
Voting Absentee by Mail
A voter is eligible to vote early by mail if they are a registered voter who is:
• 65 years of age or older on election day;
• Expects to be out of the county during the days and hours that voting is conducted during early voting in person and on election day (Must provide an out of county address including the beginning and the ending date of receiving mail at this address. This application is only good for one election and runoff.);
• Has a disability, defined as a sickness or physical condition that prevents the voter from voting in person without a likelihood of needing personal assistance or injury to the voter’s health;
• Confined in jail, but eligible to vote 1) serving a misdemeanor sentence and will not be released prior to election day, 2) pending trial or an appeal of a conviction after denial of bail or without bail, or where release on bail before election day is unlikely. (This application is only good for one election and runoff).
To vote by mail, you must first apply for a ballot. Call the office if you need an application mailed to you and the application is also located on our website. Application for ballot by mail must be received no later than close of business on Friday, October 23, 2020.
Absentee Application for ballot by mail shall be mailed to:
Early Voting Clerk
204 E. Jefferson Street
Waxahachie, TX 75165
– or –
Faxed to 972-923-5194
– or –
Email a scanned copy of signed application to
(If faxed or emailed, the Election Office must receive by mail the original application within 4 days)
Returning Your Mail Ballot
By mail, by common or contract carrier or hand deliver. For this election the hand-delivery period has been extended. You may deliver your own personal ballot to the Elections Department during business hours any time after you receive and mark the ballot. Deadline is 7pm on election night. You will be asked to sign a roster to record acceptance of your ballot and you will be asked to present an acceptable form of photo ID. If you do not possess and cannot reasonably obtain an acceptable form of photo ID, you can execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and provide a supporting form of identification.
Individuals aged 65 or older are at a higher risk of COVID-19. These individuals should stay at home as much as possible. Such individuals may consider submitting an Application for a Ballot by Mail to the elections office so that they can receive a blank ballot and then return their voted ballot by mail or hand delivery. Another option is to utilize the curbside voting at the polling location.
However, if a voter contracts COVID-19 (or other sickness or physical condition that prevents the voter from appearing at the polling place on election day without a likelihood of needing personal assistance or of injuring the voter’s health) after the deadline to submit an application for a ballot by mail, the voter should contact the elections office for more details about submitting an Application for Emergency Early Voting Ballot Due to Sickness or Physical Disability.
There have been court cases concerning COVID-19 and mail ballots. The latest information is listed at this Press Release on June 12, 2020 from Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas – https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/ag-paxton-warns-count...
VOTING IN-PERSON ON ELECTION DAY
Vote Centers will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on November 3, 2020. All eligible registered voters in Ellis County, Texas, may vote at any of the Election Day Vote Centers. It is recommended voters arriving at non-peak times (mid-morning and mid-afternoon) to help avoid long lines for easier social distancing.
VOTE CENTER LOCATIONS
(As of 9/23/2020, subject to change)
First Baptist Church-Avalon (Annex)
206 Giles Street, Avalon, TX 76623
First United Methodist-Bardwell (Church Annex)
104 Pecan St., Bardwell, TX 75119
Bristol United Methodist (Fellowship Hall)
104 Church St., Bristol, TX 75119
Alma Community Center (Foyer)
104 Interurban Rd., Ennis, TX 75119
Ellis County Sub-Courthouse (Conference Room)
207 S Sonoma Trail, Ennis, TX 75119
Ennis Public Library (Learning Center)
501 W. Ennis Ave., Ennis, TX 75119
Faith Assembly Of God Church (Fellowship Hall)
1810 W. Baldridge St., Ennis, TX 75119
New Founders Miss. Baptist (Fellowship Hall)
1903 Lafayette St., Ennis, TX 75119
Ferris Public Library (Aubrey Trussell Room)
301 E. 10th St., Ferris, TX 75125
Forreston Baptist Church (Fellowship Hall)
211 Seventh St., Forreston, TX 76041
Harvest of Praise (House of Manna Room)
2603 S Hampton Rd., Glenn Heights, TX 75154
Mt. Gilead Baptist Church (Fellowship Hall)
106 Harris St., Italy, TX 76651
First Baptist Church Maypearl (Fellowship Hall)
5744 FM 66, Maypearl, TX 76064
Midlothian Church of Christ (Fellowship Hall)
1627 N. Hwy. 67, Midlothian, TX 76065
Midlothian Conference Center (Foyer)
1 Community Circle Dr., Midlothian, TX 76065
Mountain Peak Community Church (Sanctuary)
751 W. FM 875, Midlothian, TX 76065
Sardis United Methodist Church (Fellowship Hall)
640 Sardis Rd., Midlothian, TX 76065
Stonegate Church (Rams Room)
4025 E. US 287, Midlothian, TX 76065
The Shepherd’s House (Sanctuary)
3221 Mockingbird Ln., Midlothian, TX 76065
Milford Senior Citizen Center (Main Room)
109 S. Main St., Milford, TX 76670
Grace Church of Ovilla (Flex Room Building B)
519 Westmoreland Rd., Ovilla, TX 75154
Ovilla City Hall (Council Chambers)
105 S. Cockrell Hill Rd., Ovilla, TX 75154
Palmer ISD Annex Building (Portable Building)
303 Bulldog Way, Palmer, TX 75152
Eastridge Baptist Church (Family Activity Center)
732 E. Ovilla Rd., Red Oak, TX 75154
Lifepoint Community Church (Fellowship Hall)
201 Louise Ritter Rd., Red Oak, TX 75154
Red Oak Municipal Center (Pitts Room)
200 Lakeview Pkwy., Red Oak, TX 75154
Grace Covenant Church (Dining Hall)
212 N. Main St., Red Oak, TX 75154
Bible Baptist Church (Fellowship Hall)
1400 FM 1446, Waxahachie, TX 75167
Ellis County Womans Building (Main Room)
407 W. Jefferson St., Waxahachie, TX 75165
Farley Street Baptist Church (Foyer)
1116 Brown St., Waxahachie, TX 75165
First United Methodist Waxahachie (Fidelis Hall)
505 W. Marvin Ave., Waxahachie, TX 75165
Park Meadows Baptist Church (Foyer)
3350 N. Hwy. 77, Waxahachie, TX 75165
Salvation Army of Ellis Co. (Fellowship Hall in rear)
620 Farley St., Waxahachie, TX 75165
Southlake Baptist Church (Sanctuary)
2378 S. Hwy. 77, Waxahachie, TX 75165
The Avenue Baptist Church (Venue Room)
1761 N. Hwy. 77, Waxahachie, TX 75165
Waxahachie Civic Center (Meeting Room C)
2000 Civic Center Ln., Waxahachie, TX 75165
More information at www.co.ellis.tx.us/elections