Dallas Morning News: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott extends early voting period for November elections citing COVID-19

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday extended the early voting period for the November presidential elections in response to COVID-19.

In a news release, Abbott’s office said the early voting period will begin Oct. 13 and end Oct. 30, giving voters nearly one more week than usual to cast their vote before Election Day. He also allowed voters to turn in mail ballots in person on Election Day. …

Democrats and voting rights advocates have pushed Abbott and Secretary of State Ruth R. Hughs to do more to ensure people can vote safely in November’s presidential elections, when a massive turnout is expected. Those advocates said extending the early voting period was the least the state could do under the circumstances.

“These steps are good but nowhere near good enough,” said Anthony Gutierrez, executive director of the government watchdog group, Common Cause Texas. “Other states are doing so much more while Governor Abbott is doing literally the least he can. We need swift and decisive action from either the Governor or Secretary of State to avoid a complete meltdown at the polls in November.”