Fort Bend County Judge KP George reminded eligible voters that early voting for the March 1, 2022, primary election starts Monday, February 14 and ends Friday, February 25, 2022.

Fort Bend County hit a record high for voter registration. As of January, Fort Bend County has over 500,000 eligible voters. The increase in registered voters came from over the counter, by mail, from volunteer Deputy Registrars, the Department of Public Safety, and Texas On-Line.

Judge George attributed the growth in the County’s voter rolls to an increase in political awareness and young voters who are voting in large numbers. Additionally, George emphasized the powerful role that young people can play in making their voices heard while having a significant impact on issues that affect them and their communities.

“The last two elections cycles I’ve seen more and more young people engage in this process and I want more young people to become engaged as well because it is about their future,” said George.

Joining Judge George was Fort Bend County Elections Administrator John Oldham and first-time voter, Travis High School senior Ashley Poole, who announced that the March 1 primary will mark her first time exercising her right to vote.

“This is a momentous occasion for me and my peers. Voting is the foundation of our nation. We have been entrusted with the great opportunity to turn our words and concerns into action at the polls. This is a privilege that few know outside of our country,” stated Ms. Poole.

Early voting begins, Monday, February 14, and continues through Friday, February 25 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 12:00 noon through 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, excluding Presidents Day (February 21) and select locations on Sunday (February 20).

During the press conference, Fort Bend County Elections Administrator John Oldham announced that during the month of January his office received 2,055 mail ballot applications with 78% of them being approved and in the hands of voters. He went on to state that 2,648 mail ballot applications have been received in the elections office as of February 9, with 87% being accepted.

“Our rejection rate that you were hearing a lot about has dropped considerably. We feel good that the voter education effort that is being done by our office, by the County Judge’s office, and the media has contributed to a decrease in the number of rejected applications,” stated Oldham.

Of the applications that have been rejected, Oldham said that 46% percent have been resolved, and the new applications have been accepted. February 18, is the last day that the Elections Office can physically accept an application for ballot by mail.

Fort Bend County offers residents 24 early voting locations and 76 Election Day voting sites. For more information on polling locations and hours, please visit [www.fortbendcountytx.gov/government/departments/elections-voter-registration]www.fortbendcountytx.gov/government/departments/elections-voter-registration