Clinton Calls for Early Voting

(CBS)

LAREDO, TEXAS -- As all eyes remain fixed on the coming March 4th contests in Texas and Ohio, the Hillary Clinton campaign has another date in mind: February 29th. Not because it's leap year, but because it's the last day for voters in Texas to take advantage of early voting. "The early vote is going to be a critical part of our success in Texas," said senior Clinton spokesman Mo Elleithee. "We believe that up to 40% of all votes may be cast early, and we want to get as many of these votes in the bank for us as possible before primary day." Elleithee said that doing so will allow the campaign to focus its resources in various other ways on Election Day.

According to the Rio Grande Guardian, a local paper in South Texas, early voting in the area of McAllen and Hidalgo have been setting record turnout so far, with people waiting as much as 45 minutes in line at polling locations. A source close to the campaign tells CBS, "Early vote turnout in Hispanic communities is high. And we've been holding early vote events near early vote sites to make it easier for people to vote before and after the event."

During a campaign rally in Hidalgo yesterday, Clinton spent the first few minutes telling the predominantly Hispanic crowd to get out and vote. "I know now is our time. This is the chance for everyone here, you vote and vote early. Vote over the next 10 days, vote until February 29th to make sure that you get your friends, your neighbors and your family to vote. Will you do that? Will you vote?' Clinton asked the crowd as they cheered loudly. She mentioned a hotline voters can call to get early voting information as well as a text message function to be used on cell phones.

Along with early voting, Clinton continues to court female voters in Texas. Women have made up a majority of the voters along the dusty southern border of Texas in past elections, something the campaign hopes will bode well for them.

Clinton will campaign in Laredo, Texas, this morning, which is less than a mile away from the Mexican border. After that, she spends most of the day preparing for tonight's debate in Austin.