According to news stories about the Texas Democratic primary, early voting stations are set up in grocery and department stores.

That's a good idea. Imagine early voting -- and, for that matter, voter registration -- stations in Wal-Mart or Shelbyville's large grocery stores.

Bedford County offices are running out of space and officials are looking for more, but they're stuck with outdated buildings such as the 1950 hospital or 1939 ex-Central High which aren't really suited for modern offices.

Some county offices, such as those involving court and real estate records, obviously have to operate for the most part from a central location.

But it seems that setting up branch offices for voting and registration, registering vehicles and renewing license plates, etc., near high-traffic retail locations would be more convenient for the public. Just do most of the one-on-one contact in convenient-to-reach locations and use small courthouse-area offices for administration and storage.

My only question would be the costs involved. Otherwise, convenience is always a good thing.