[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Header” _builder_version=”4.17.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#060717″ background_image=”https:\/\/austincountynewsonline.com\/hello\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Podcaster-33b.png” background_position=”bottom_center” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.17.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding_tablet=”|100px||100px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”|0px||0px|false|true” background_size_tablet=”contain” background_size_phone=”initial” background_position_tablet=”top_center” background_position_phone=”top_left” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”e6504a1b-67eb-4b3d-b023-bcab277610b6″ header_4_font=”Sarabun|700||on|||||” header_4_text_color=”#F7CE3B” header_4_font_size=”14px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|desktop” header_4_font_size_tablet=”” header_4_font_size_phone=”12px” header_4_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_margin__hover_enabled=”off|desktop”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”c16985e1-e0d6-4022-964d-e2bfc04fa633″ text_text_color=”#7CDA24″ header_font=”Sarabun|800|||||||” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_font_size=”72px” header_line_height=”1.2em” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_tablet=”40px” header_font_size_phone=”24px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/93Gty2sYIqY?si=dwWF69JL-ynB0uQE” image_src=”https:\/\/austincountynewsonline.com\/hello\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Hello-Austin-County-Kim-Rinn.jpg” play_icon_color=”#FFFFFF” thumbnail_overlay_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.5)” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”518880c8-46c7-4ffa-b5a6-93ffa99dcc17″ text_font=”Quattrocento Sans||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.6em” text_font_size_tablet=”16px” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
In this episode of Hello Austin County, we\u2019re joined by Kim Rinn, Austin County\u2019s Tax Assessor-Collector, who also serves as the county\u2019s official voter registrar and election administrator. Kim walks us through everything you need to know about registering, voting, and ensuring your voice is counted in Texas elections.<\/p>\n
Kim shares essential voter registration deadlines, explains limited and provisional voting, and demystifies the process behind early voting, mail-in ballots, and how the ExpressVote system works. She also addresses common misconceptions\u2014like whether your ballot is connected to the internet (it\u2019s not!)\u2014and explains how barcode scanning and paper trails keep the process secure and verifiable.<\/p>\n
We talk about what forms of ID are accepted, why cell phones aren\u2019t allowed in the voting booth, and how countywide voting in Austin County has increased participation by letting voters cast ballots at any polling location, not just their home precinct.<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udfa8 Kim also highlights a fun, local initiative\u2014custom \u201cI Voted\u201d stickers designed by middle and high school students in Austin County! It\u2019s a great way to build civic pride and get the next generation excited about voting.<\/p>\n
\u2705 Whether you\u2019re a first-time voter, a longtime resident, or someone helping a family member navigate the process, this episode is full of helpful tips to make your voting experience smoother, more confident, and fully informed.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\uddc2\ufe0f For sample ballots, polling locations, and real-time updates, visit the official Austin County Elections website.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\uddf3\ufe0f Make your voice count. Vote informed. Vote local.<\/p>\n
Until next time\u2014stay civic, Austin County! \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83d\udcee\ud83d\udc65<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”aaa7c440-590a-4078-ae0c-0f3c699ac51c” header_font=”||||||||” header_3_font=”Sarabun|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_3_font_size=”32px” header_3_line_height=”1.5em” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” header_3_font_size_tablet=”20px” header_3_font_size_phone=”16px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”518880c8-46c7-4ffa-b5a6-93ffa99dcc17″ text_font=”Quattrocento Sans||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_3_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size_tablet=”16px” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”518880c8-46c7-4ffa-b5a6-93ffa99dcc17″ text_font=”Quattrocento Sans||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_3_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size_tablet=”16px” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”aaa7c440-590a-4078-ae0c-0f3c699ac51c” header_font=”||||||||” header_3_font=”Sarabun|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_3_font_size=”32px” header_3_line_height=”1.5em” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” header_3_font_size_tablet=”20px” header_3_font_size_phone=”16px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”518880c8-46c7-4ffa-b5a6-93ffa99dcc17″ text_font=”Quattrocento Sans||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_3_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_4_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size_tablet=”16px” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”aaa7c440-590a-4078-ae0c-0f3c699ac51c” header_font=”||||||||” header_3_font=”Sarabun|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_3_font_size=”32px” header_3_line_height=”1.5em” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” header_3_font_size_tablet=”20px” header_3_font_size_phone=”16px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”518880c8-46c7-4ffa-b5a6-93ffa99dcc17″ text_font=”Quattrocento Sans||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.6em” text_font_size_tablet=”16px” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
\u23f0 0:19 \u2013 Meet Kim Rinn, Austin County\u2019s election official
\u23f0 0:39 \u2013 Voter registration total and how it updates
\u23f0 2:00 \u2013 30-day residency rule and registration options
\u23f0 4:56 \u2013 Voter eligibility requirements and ID types
\u23f0 10:05 \u2013 Praise for experienced election workers
\u23f0 10:43 \u2013 Step-by-step voting process: ID, poll pad, ExpressVote
\u23f0 12:30 \u2013 Tabulators count ballots; not connected to internet
\u23f0 14:12 \u2013 Safeguards against double-voting and invalid ballots
\u23f0 16:49 \u2013 Secure Wi-Fi for poll pads; not public access
\u23f0 17:18 \u2013 Mail-in ballot process and strong return rates
\u23f0 20:44 \u2013 Ballots use barcodes; accuracy improved with ExpressVote
\u23f0 24:37 \u2013 No phones, photos, or notes allowed while voting
\u23f0 26:21 \u2013 Post-election audits confirm vote accuracy
\u23f0 29:33 \u2013 Countywide voting improves access and turnout
\u23f0 32:40 \u2013 Early voting hours for Bellville and Sealy
\u23f0 34:30 \u2013 Election info and sample ballots on county website
\u23f0 35:10 \u2013 Student-designed \u201cI Voted\u201d stickers launched
\u23f0 39:45 \u2013 Straight-ticket voting no longer allowed
\u23f0 41:30 \u2013 Final push: get out and vote \u2014 every vote matters<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Master the Austin County voting guide with Registrar Kim Rinn on Hello Austin County\u2014deadlines, IDs, early voting in Bellville\/Sealy, and myth-busting tips to vote confidently and count every Texas voice this election!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":238,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"rttpg_full_width","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[335,343,337,339,69,342,340,338,341,336],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-232","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hello-austin-county-podcast","tag-austin-county-voting-guide","tag-countywide-voting","tag-early-voting-tips","tag-election-security","tag-hello-austin-county-podcast","tag-i-voted-stickers","tag-kim-rinn","tag-mail-in-ballots","tag-texas-elections","tag-voter-registration-texas"],"yoast_head":"\n