 "Photo: Jordan Gomez")
In anticipation of early voting, the University Democrats hosted an overnight rally that began late Monday night.
VOTERAMA began at 9 p.m. and was scheduled to end at the opening of early voting polls at 7 a.m. this morning.
Philip Shea, English sophomore and Sen. Barack Obama supporter, said he turned out because "this is the most pivotal election our generation has ever seen or ever will see and I want to be a part of it."
Shelly Chen, math sophomore and Sen. Hillary Clinton supporter, said she is in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen and is excited to vote in the upcoming election.
Andy Jones, spokesman for University Democrats, said overnight campers passed the time by playing in a football Democracy Bowl. He said there were not any Republican supporters at the event, but any wanting to participate would not have been turned away.
"We do this to energize the campus, to get people out, to get them to vote," Jones said.
Numerous local Democratic candidates and politicians spoke at the rally.
Rep. Mark Strama, D-Austin, said he came to support the University Democrats and Obama.
"I love that the University Democrats do this every election cycle," Strama said. "I think it's a really cool way to draw attention so that students know that early voting has started and what a great opportunity early voting is to avoid standing in lines and get their vote cast and counted early."
Texans can begin voting for the joint primary elections starting today.
From Feb. 19 to Feb. 29, registered voters can vote in person at any early voting site in the county. On March 4, residents must vote within their precinct as written on voter registration certificates.
Early voters need a voter registration card, official photo ID, birth certificate, U.S. citizenship papers or passport, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement or other official document that shows the name and address of the voter, according to the Travis County Clerk's Web site.
The only people who can vote early by mail are registered voters age 65 or older, out of the county from Feb. 19 to Mar. 4, sick, disabled or eligible voters that are confined in jail, according to the Web site.
Presidential candidates appearing on the Democratic primary ballots are: Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.
Presidential candidates appearing on the Republican primary ballots are Arizona Sen. John McCain, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Texas Congressman Ron Paul, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, California Congressman Duncan Hunter, Alan Keyes, Hugh Cort and Hoa Tran. Uncommitted is also an option.
Some candidates will appear on the ballot despite having withdrawn from their respective races. These candidates dropped out of the race after the deadline to withdraw their names, said Mary Fero, spokeswoman for the Travis County Clerk's Office. Any votes for these candidates will be tabulated, Fero said.
Voters registered in another county who have moved to Travis County may be eligible to vote early with a limited ballot, Fero said. The limited ballot will cancel registration in the voter's previous county and register them to vote in Travis County. She said people casting a limited ballot can vote for presidential candidates, U.S. Senate candidates and candidates for other offices depending on the voter's former county.
According to Fero, people wanting to vote by limited ballot must request it during early voting in person at the Travis County Clerk's Office at 5501 Airport Blvd.
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