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Voters cast ballots in booths spread six feet apart at the Metropolitan Multiservices Center for the delayed primary runoff election in Houston on July 14, 2020.
Voters cast ballots in booths spread 6 feet apart at Houston's Metropolitan Multi-Service Center. Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune
Texas 2020 Elections

Masks, gloves and plastic shields: What voting during a pandemic looks like across Texas

This year’s primary runoff election in Texas is different from any before it. The Texas Tribune sent photographers to see what it was like.

By Allie Goulding, Jordan Vonderhaar, Michael Stravato and Shelby Tauber
Republish

Like everything else in 2020, the primary run off election is different, altered by COVID-19. Because of the pandemic, the runoff election date was pushed back seven weeks, from May 26 to July 14. Because of health concerns, counties have devised new protocols to try to ensure the safety of voters and poll workers alike. They are enforcing social distancing in lines and between voting machines — and providing protective shields and finger cots.

The lessons learned Tuesday will serve as a dress rehearsal for a high-stakes Election Day in November. To get a feeling for that, and for how things went in this unusual runoff, we sent photographers out to various polling locations around the state. Here’s some of what they saw.

A man votes inside Great Baptist Hills on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 in Austin.
A voter talks to Save Austin Now campaigners at Great Baptist Hills on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 in Austin.
First: A man votes inside Great Baptist Hills Church in Austin on Tuesday. Last: A voter talks to Save Austin Now campaigners at Great Baptist Hills Church. Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune
People wait to vote in triple digit heat at the AISD Performing Arts Center in Mueller on July 14, 2020.
People wait under the shade at the AISD Performing Arts Center in Austin. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar
A voter lined up at the Oak Lawn Branch Library polling location in Dallas during the state primary runoff election on July 14, 2020.
A voter has an "I Voted in Dallas County" sticker at the Oak Lawn Branch Library polling location in Dallas during the state primary runoff election on July 14, 2020.
First: A voter waits in line at the Oak Lawn Branch Library polling location in Dallas. Last: A voter wears an "I Voted in Dallas County" sticker on their mask after voting in Dallas. Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune
Frannie Griffin submits her ballot at Booker T. Washington High School in Dallas for the state’s runoff elections on July 14.
Frannie Griffin submits her ballot at Booker T. Washington High School in Dallas. Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune
A sanitation station is positioned at the entrance of a polling site at Booker T. Washington High School in Dallas on July 14.
A polling site at Booker T. Washington High School in Dallas.
First: A sanitation station at the entrance of a polling site at Booker T. Washington High School in Dallas. Last: A polling site at Booker T. Washington High School in Dallas. Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune
Voters check in with poll workers seated behind glass shields at the Metropolitan Multiservices Center in Houston for the delayed primary runoff election on Tuesday, July 14, 2020.
Voters, wearing masks and spread six feet apart, line up outside the Metropolitan Multiservice Center in Houston to vote in the delayed primary runoff election on Tuesday July 14, 2020.
First: Voters check in with poll workers who sit behind barriers at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center in Houston. Last: Voters, wearing masks and spread 6 feet apart, line up outside the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center. Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune
Voters check in with poll workers behind glass barriers at the Metropolitan Multi-Services Center for the delayed primary runoff election in Houston on July 14, 2020.
Voters check in with poll workers who sit behind barriers at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center in Houston. Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune
People wait in 100 degree weatheto vote at the Pflugerville ISD Rock Gym on July 14, 2020.
Voters enter a polling site at Ben Hur Shrine Center on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 in Austin.
First: People wait in 100-degree weather to vote at the Pflugerville ISD Rock Gym. Last: Voters enter a polling site in Austin. Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune
A voter uses an umbrella for protection from the sun. Voters waited in 100 degree temperatures outside the Pflugerville ISD Rock Gym on Tuesday.
A voter uses an umbrella for protection from the sun while waiting in 100-degree temperatures outside the Pflugerville ISD Rock Gym. Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune
The Southpark Meadows polling location on election day in Texas' primary runoffs and special elections on July 14, 2020.
A voter waits in line in Texas' July primary runoff and special elections at Zilker Elementary School in Austin.
Two voters take a selfie after voting in Texas' July primary runoffs at Zilker Elementary School on July 14, 2020.
Austinites cast their votes Tuesday in the state's runoff election. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune
Curbside voting Signs with buzzers outside the Metropolitan Multi-services in Houston.
Signs with buzzers outside the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center in Houston allow voters to ask for curbside assistance. Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune

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Information about the authors

Allie Goulding’s staff photo
Shelby Tauber’s staff photo

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Politics 2020 elections