SAN ANTONIO — The first day of early voting for the 2020 general election yielded a total of 33,111 ballots from in-person voters, according to Bexar County Elections officials.
The number was around 10,500 as of noon earlier on Tuesday, a day that saw long lines stretch down sidewalks and wrap around neighborhood blocks as county residents sought to get a head start on their civic duty.
In just the first two hours, almost 5,000 people had voted. Bexar County Elections said on Facebook "the early 'birds' are out today. Please come prepared to vote - have your selections written down before you head out to vote."
They also shared that some of the sites with a shorter wait time are: Somerset, Harlandale, Cortez, St. Paul, Southwest ISD and McCreless.
However, some KENS 5 Eyewitnesses reported the line at McCreless Library to have about a 4-hour wait. And Cody Library had a line around 1 p.m. stretching around the block.
Social distancing and safety measures are being taken at each polling site, according to the Bexar County Elections Office. Polling staff members will be wearing masks, face shields and gloves and sanitizing equipment frequently. Officials say the additional sanitation and presence of few voting machines due to physical distancing may also lead to longer waits.
Coinciding with the first day, Bexar County’s Criminal District Attorney Joe Gonzales held a news conference to share he created a District Attorney Election Response Team as part of one of his lesser known duties to advise the Bexar County Elections Office.
Gonzales said the team consists of five attorneys and is available to Elections Administrator Jacquelyn Callanen and her staff to provide clarity on polling site questions and resolve any issues through Election Day.
On Facebook, elections officials reminded people to be prepared by getting a sample ballot and marking it "with no straight party selection" saying that move will help everyone "to stay safer. Less time in the poll site - better for all!"
Gonzales said it is important to note that the District Attorney Election Response Team is only handling inquiries from the Elections Office staff, not citizens' concerns and complaints. Those must be filed with law enforcement so they may be thoroughly investigated and filed with the District Attorney’s Office for possible prosecution.
“I want to reassure all Bexar County voters that casting a ballot at a polling site is safe and secure. No voter should worry about whether his or her vote is going to be counted," Gonzales said. "I know our Elections Office is prepared for a record-breaking turnout and I want voters and the Elections Office staff to know that we are here to help them.”