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McLennan County parties push last minute registration

Posted at 11:55 PM, Oct 10, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-11 10:52:49-04

It only takes a few minutes to register to vote.  That's what Johnny Gonzalez discovered at the Heart of Texas Fair, after moving from Hewitt to Waco.     

"I think we all know this election is getting a little crazy." Gonzalez said.  "Just everyone's voice needs to be heard and no disrespect to anyone else, but your voice matters and the next guys voice matters," Gonzalez added.

To get those voices turned into actual votes, the McLennan County Republican and Democratic parties have set-up a voter registry at the Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo. Barbara White, McLennan County Republican Vice Chair, is able to register voters on site.

"I'm a deputy registrar, so I can register them and give them a receipt that they can use, if for some reason they don't get their certificate." White said.

Mary Duty, McLennan County Democratic Chair, said they began voter registration drives before the primaries.

"The focus was to rally really, really hard this Summer to get those voters done, and we're seeing huge numbers, probably three or four times the numbers have come to register this year compared to last year." Duty said.

Early numbers from the McLennan County election office show that almost 134,000  are registered to vote, right now. In the 2012 presidential election there were 129,000 voters registered.

Efforts from the local political parties have a lot to do with the increased numbers, especially when you consider they'll help you register no matter who your candidate is.

"We register Trump voters just like we register Clinton voters," Duty said.  "It's important to participate in our democracy. We need people who understand what we have here." Duty added.

Voters have until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday to register.

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