HC Judge Hidalgo urges voters to register

Deadline is October 5

HOUSTON – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, along with Houston Rockets manager Doug Hall, and Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins, held a news conference last Friday to encourage residents to register to vote The deadline to register to vote is October 5 and early voting begins on October 13.

For the first time, Toyota Center will be an early voting site open to any registered voter in Harris County from October 13 to October 30. It will be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday thru Saturday and Noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays. From October 27 to October 30, it will be open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The home of the Rockets will also be an Election Day vote center. You can vote in person or drive-thru.

Hidalgo said Harris County has tripled the number of early voting sites to make it more convenient and safer.

Toyota Center will follow all CDC and Public Health guidelines regarding social distancing.

“Our elections this November will be historic — not only because we are electing the President of the United States — but also because we must meet the challenge as a community to ensure that every Harris County voter can cast their vote safely,” Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins said last month. “Harris County needs more voting centers than ever before in order to accommodate record voter turnout while following strict safety protocols to keep voters and election workers safe at the polls.”

With a larger venue for voting, Hollins said “no voters will have to choose between protecting their health and exercising their Constitutional right to vote this November.”

Toyota Center General Manager Doug Hall said they’re honored to help serve the community.

“Voting is an extremely important right which many have fought hard for throughout the years and we want to thank the Harris County Clerk office for allowing the Rockets and Toyota Center to offer support,” Hall said.

The Rockets have partnered with Houston First to provide free parking at the Toyota Tundra Garage throughout the voting process.