WHARTON COUNTY — Local election staff are working through 542 delayed voter registration records from the Texas Department of Public Safety, including about 132 involving new voters, with the Oct. 5 registration deadline approaching.
The Wharton County voter registrar’s office confirmed the figures to Wharton Post on Wednesday morning, Sept. 30, saying the records were awaiting processing and staff would continue working through them during the day.
Most of the records involve voters already active in the registration system who need no changes, the office said. Their applications still must be processed.
In its initial response Tuesday, the office said it had been completing roughly 40 to 50 records a day, depending on other duties.
The delayed records add work for the local office as it prepares for the Nov. 3 election. The 542 figure reflects the records awaiting processing Wednesday morning; it does not represent 542 people who are unregistered or unable to vote.
Why the records were delayed
The Texas Secretary of State’s office told counties on Sept. 22 that some voter registration records submitted through DPS online transactions were incomplete, preventing them from being transmitted to county offices for review.
The state said it worked with DPS to identify the affected records and send them to counties for processing. content.govdelivery.com
Wharton County has not provided the original submission dates for its affected records or a date by which it expects to finish processing them.
How Wharton County residents can check their registration
Residents who registered or updated their voter information through DPS can check their registration through the state’s “Am I Registered?” portal.
Anyone with questions can also contact the Wharton County elections office at 979-532-0193 or visit 315 E. Milam St., Suite 103, in Wharton. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The voter registrar’s office said staff can check a resident’s status and explain any updates needed. www.votetexas.gov
Monday, Oct. 5, is the voter registration deadline for the Nov. 3 election. Residents who cannot locate their registration or whose information appears incorrect should contact the county office promptly for assistance
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