Williamson County, Texas

Update: Thanks to all you Wilco Voters for topping the registered voter turnout in Texas. Out of the top 12 highest populated counties, Williamson County led them all with 62.09 percent of the 336,148 registered voters submitting a ballot. The next highest percentage voter turnout was Travis County at 61.33 percent.

Commissioner Cook explained why we vote on the first Tuesday of November and reminded the students that it is their civic duty and responsibility to vote and let their voices be heard.

A uniform date for choosing presidential electors was instituted by the Congress in 1845. The bill initially set the day for choosing presidential electors on "the first Tuesday in November," in years divisible by four (1848, 1852, etc.). However, in some years the period between the first Tuesday in November and the first Wednesday in December (when the electors are required to meet in their state capitals to vote) would be more than 34 days, in violation of the existing Electoral College law. So, the bill was reworded to move the date for choosing presidential electors to the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The period between Election Day and the first Wednesday in December is always 29 days. The effect of the change was to make November 2 the earliest day on which Election Day may fall.

In 1845, the United States was largely an agrarian society and farmers often needed a full day to travel by horse or carriage to vote. Tuesday was established as election day because it did not interfere with the Sabbath according to the Bible or with market day, which was on Wednesday in many towns.

Many people today object to Tuesday as Election Day because they feel it decreases voter turnout because it is a day when many people are at work or in school. However, the tradition continues to this day.

See photos of students registering by selecting READ MORE.

Several volunteers from area businesses and organizations worked at Hernandez Middle School in Round Rock to clean out weed-filled raised garden beds and place topsoil in each bed.

 Click on Read More for more photos.

The topics ranged from how mental health and substance abuse are issues to the community, frequent incarceration of those with mental illness and substance abuse, affordable housing for people in recovery, access to treatment and recovery, impact on the families of those battling substance abuse and suffering from mental illness, and the suicide rate among this population, which is also high for veterans.

The panel examined how faith communities can be a part of the solution, including information and education to help clergy and parishioners.

The Williamson County and Cities Health District offers Flu Vaccines Free for uninsured adults and TVFC-eligible children ages 6 months and older.

See Locations and Hours for WCCHD clinic locations, phone numbers, and hours of service. We recommend that you make an appointment.

• When you get vaccinated you help protect those around you at risk for severe illness and who may not be eligible to receive flu vaccine
• Flu vaccine does not cause flu-like symptoms
• The flu shot provides protection in about two weeks
• High-dose flu vaccine is available for individuals age 65 and older.  It contains four times as much antigen as the regular flu shot and affords seniors a greater antibody response
• No vaccine is 100% effective.  Although you may still get the flu after being vaccinated you are less likely to have severe symptoms and complications from the illness

DSHS recommends everyone six months old and older get vaccinated. People should talk to their health care provider about the best type of flu vaccine for them. 

People are urged to follow standard illness-prevention steps:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
• Cover coughs and sneezes;
• Stay home if sick

More Resources:

• Flu Shot Information
• www.TexasFlu.o
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