🗳️ Are you sure you’re registered to vote?

Texas’ Voter Registration Deadline Is Fast Approaching. Here’s What You Need To Know.

The state’s Oct. 5 voter registration deadline will be here before we know it — September can’t last forever, after all! If you want to vote in the Nov. 3 election, which I hope you do because being an engaged Austinite is awesome, here’s what you need to do:

• Check your status. While Texas might not allow online voter registration, you can absolutely check to see if you’re registered online. All you need is your name and birthdate to search your status on the Travis County Clerk’s website. The Texas Secretary of State website also has a voter lookup portal. [Travis County Clerk]
• Not registered? That’s OK! You’ve got some time. Between now and Oct. 5, you can fill out and mail an application to a Travis County tax office or visit any Travis County tax office to register in person. You can also pick up applications at any Austin public library, U.S. Postal Service office, and at Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Department of Health and Human Services offices in Travis County. [Travis County Tax Office]
• Vote-by-mail applications are due soon, too. If you want or need to vote by mail in November, you have until Oct. 23 to apply for such a ballot. The Travis County Clerk’s website has applications and eligibility information. [Travis County Clerk]
• Some election news to go. I couldn’t leave you without sharing the latest! Democrats appear to be head-to-head in some races heading into November, putting Republicans in a weaker position than usual for the first time in a generation, The Texas Tribune says. Ken Paxton is polling behind James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa is not far behind Gov. Greg Abbott. [The Texas Tribune]

Deportation of Man Shot by ICE Paused, Lawyer Says

A federal judge granted an emergency order to stop the deportation of Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, the 28-year-old shot by a federal immigration agent in Austin, his attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch said. The judge wants Garces Perez at his first hearing next Wednesday.

• A bullet is still lodged in Garces Perez’s body. Congressman Joaquin Castro said the Venezuelan immigrant was transferred to a hospital on Monday before being forced back into a detention center in Pearsall.
• The Atlantic is reporting that the agent who shot Garces Perez was not wearing his body camera during the incident. The agent, who has not been publicly identified, was hired last year and has experience at another federal law enforcement agency, the magazine says. [The Atlantic]

Abbott Orders Hiatus on Data Centers

Permits for new data centers have been paused until an audit on the facilities can be performed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and the Texas Water Development Board. Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday he was ordering the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to stop issuing new permits. [Austin Business Journal]

Zilker Park Is Mostly Closed

It’s that time of year, y’all. The great lawn at Zilker Park is closed through Oct. 18 for Austin City Limits Music Festival. Workers are installing festival structures. [Austin American-Statesman]

Local Groups Sue To Stop Dog’s Head Development

Two local organizations, Save Our Springs Alliance and People Organized in Defense of Earth and Her Resources, have filed a lawsuit against Austin City Council and the city to void the development and financing agreements for Dog’s Head. Dog’s Head is a 2,600-acre development in Southeast Austin. [Austin Current]