From being a political science major in college to a precinct chair in three different counties, Betsy Boyt said involvement in politics has always been part of her life.
“I don’t understand people who don’t vote,” Boyt said. “That’s just beyond me because it’s such a part of my life. We have to have an educated electorate to make democracy work.”
Now 86 years old, Boyt said she cannot block walk anymore in the heat, but works with the University Presbyterian Church to help students register to vote. This year, the church will also serve as a new polling site for the 2026 elections.
For the first time in five years, a polling site will be in the heart of West Campus — on 22nd Street and San Antonio — on Election Day. The only other polling site in West Campus is near the north boundary at Lamar Senior Activity Center.
Rev. Carter Grant said the Travis County Clerk and organizations from the University approached the church to see if it would be interested in becoming a polling site before, but they missed the deadline because the building did not meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
This year, they met the requirements on time.
“There was so much work, but it’s the little things that we have to do that are part of justice work and being a part of what God is doing here in Austin and Texas,” Grant said. “It’s a lot of little meetings and red tape and signing the right forms, talking to the right people, and it can be frustrating, but it was so good to finally have that done and be like, ‘Okay, we did all the right things.’”
Jennie Chao, who is in the church’s service and social witness committee, said she hopes the new site makes it easier for people who live near West Campus to vote on Election Day.
“I just think the more polling places, the better, right?” Chao said. “We want everybody to vote, and so if we can be one more place, that’s really important.”
