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Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai has a message for registered voters for the Nov. 5 presidential election -- vote.
Sakai held a news conference Friday to urge registered voters to exercise their constitutional right to cast a ballot.
“I’m hoping for an all-time turnout for the November 5th election,” Sakai said.
He said that as of Monday, there were 1.28 million registered voters in Bexar County, the most ever for an election, surpassing the 2020 presidential election by 90,000.
Sakai expects more residents will register as the deadline nears. But he stressed that registered voters need to make sure to vote.
“I want people to recognize that their power is through their voice through their vote,” he said. “All this effort to register does not come to fruition if people don’t go vote.”
Sakai couldn’t say for certain whether Civic Government Solutions’ recent voter registration program contributed to the record number of registered voters.
Monday is the last day to register to vote. People need to submit their voter registration applications by 5 p.m. in person at the Bexar County Election Department Office at 1103 S. Frio St. or by mail.
Another important deadline is Oct. 25 for people who plan to apply for a voting ballot by mail.
Sakai said that the county has five voting sites for deaf voters to get extra assistance. The sites, which are located in each of the four county precincts and one downtown, will have sign interpretation via video.
The judge is highly encouraging voters to take advantage of early voting, which runs from Oct. 21 to Nov. 1 at 51 voting sites. He said voting early can avoid long lines and possible confusion on Election Day.
Sakai said the Office of Emergency Management and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office are prepared to provide on-site and cybersecurity on Election Day. The judge said he wants to make sure that Bexar County Elections Administrator Jacque Callanen and her staff are protected.
“Unfortunately, because of some of the crazy rhetoric that is going on in our community and country, sometimes I’m very fearful of what could happen to our elections administrator or office,” Sakai said.
He urged the public to be patient on Election Day for results, which can be delayed at times.