An order last week by Gov. Greg Abbott to shut down satel­lite locations for voters to drop off mail-in ballots will not have any effect in Collin County, which had set up no satellite spots.

The governor limited counties to one mail-in ballot drop-off spot in an order effective Friday, Oct. 2. Voters have the option to return their mail-in ballots through the postal service, or hand deliver them.

“The State of Texas has a duty to voters to maintain the integrity of our elections,” he declared.

Several urban counties had set up satellite absentee ballot drop-off spots for the convenience of voters this year. For example, Harris County with a population of 4.7 million set up 12 satellite locations.

Collin County planned for just one absentee drop-off spot, at the Elections Administration Office, 2010 Redbud Blvd., Suite 102, McKinney, so the governor’s or­der does not have any effect.

Mail-in ballots can be dropped off during regular office hours from now through Election Day, Nov. 3. Election season office hours are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. through Oct. 16; 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Oct. 17, 19-24 and 26-30; and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 18 and 25.

Voters dropping off their mail-in ballots must sign a roster and present an acceptable form of photo identification. A voter can only return his or her own ballot.

For more stories like this, see Oct. 8 issue or subscribe online.

By Joe Reavis • [email protected]