Montgomery County voters are getting a last-minute homework assignment before Tuesday’s primary: figure out where to show up. County election officials have consolidated more than a dozen precincts and reassigned voters to new polling locations, warning that some residents will now be casting ballots at a different gym or community center than they are used to. Polls run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and officials are urging everyone to confirm their polling place before walking out the door.
What officials say
Suzie Harvey, the county’s elections administrator, told the Houston Chronicle that "some precinct chairs are on the ballot, making them ineligible to oversee voting," and added that other empty spots are part of a broader shortage of poll workers. That staffing gap is what pushed county leaders to consolidate locations and move voters around precincts in Conroe, The Woodlands, and nearby communities. Election staff says the reshuffling was designed so that every polling place that stays open can be fully staffed and overseen by bipartisan judges.
Which sites were consolidated
The county’s official Election Notices lay out the Election Day map and show several precincts doubling up at the same gyms and community spaces. According to those notices, Precincts 42 and 55 are both assigned to Stephen F. Austin Elementary School at 14796 Highway 105 East; Precincts 20 and 51 are now at Central Library, 104 I-45 North; and Precinct 69 is grouped with Precincts 98 and 108 at the KC Event Center, 2655 FM 1488. These assignments appear in the county’s Election Notices and accompanying maps.
Why this matters
Montgomery County is not alone in scrambling for poll workers. Shortages like this can force officials to merge polling places, which can mean longer lines or longer drives for some voters, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. National surveys of local election officials have repeatedly flagged turnover, safety concerns, and an aging pool of volunteers as ongoing challenges that make it harder to fully staff Election Day.
How to confirm your polling place
Planning to vote on Tuesday? Start by checking your assigned site through Montgomery County Elections, where you can also scroll through the county’s Election Notices for the complete Election Day list. Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; if anything looks unclear, call the Elections office listed on the county site before you head out.
