RIO GRANDE CITY — A voting site for Election Day in the March 6 primary will be held at a different location than originally advertised.
The Starr County Elections Department amended their original elections order to change the voting location for Precinct 2 residents.
Voting was originally to be held at Basilio Villarreal Municipal Park at 1473 Stephen Saenz St. in Rio Grande City. However, because that location was not approved, the Precinct 2 voting site was moved to the Old City Hall Building at 101 S. Washington St., also in Rio Grande City.
The city hall building was the site used for the 2016 primaries.
Starr County Commissioners approved the move on Monday.
Additionally, early voting hours at the Starr County Courthouse were extended for Wednesday, Feb. 21 and Wednesday, Feb. 28. On those days, the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
On all other days of early voting, which runs from Feb. 20 to March 2, the sites will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Election Day, March 6, the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Throughout the entire election period, electioneering will not be allowed on county property, said County Attorney Victor Canales on Monday upon questioning from County Commissioner Eloy Garza.
Garza requested clarification on what was allowed and what wasn’t under the electioneering ban, which the county adopted last month. He was the only commissioner who voted against the measure and said people have complained to him about the ban.
Canales said electioneering, loitering or intimidation of voters would not be allowed on county property. That included the large tents and the barbecue tips that campaign workers often set up in the parking lots.
“I’ve had no less than 20 people approach me and commend the court for doing this,” said Starr County Judge Eloy Vera. “A lot of times they hesitate to go vote because of the environment at the polls, and they’re very thankful the court decided to do this.”
Early voting sites:
Starr County Courthouse, Commissioners Court, 401 N. Britton Ave., Rio Grande City
Roma Community Center, 502 Sixth St., Roma
La Rosita, Community Center, 4192 W. US Hwy 83, La Rosita
El Cenizo PK. Building, 70 Old Casita Rd., La Casita
Election Day sites per precinct:
Starr County Courthouse, Commissioners Court, 401 N. Britton Ave., Rio Grande City, Precinct 1
Old City Hall Building at 101 S. Washington St., Rio Grande City, Precinct 2
Escobares Community Center 4829 Old Hwy 83 Escobares, Roma, Precinct 3
Abel Gonzalez Community Center, 1501 FM 1017 San Isidro, Rio Grande City, Precinct 4
Catholic Church Parish Hall, 1155 N. FM 649, El Sauz, Precinct 5
Roma Community Center, 502 Sixth St., Roma, Precinct 6
Salineno Community Center, 68 Salineno Rd., Salineno, Precinct 7
El Cenizo PK. Building, 70 Old Casita Rd., La Casita, Precinct 8
La Victoria Community Center, 532 Gabriela St. Rio Grande City, Precinct 9
La Rosita, Community Center, 4192 W. US Hwy 83, La Rosita, Precinct 10
