NASA astronaut votes from space

NASA Astronaut Kate Rubins cast her vote early from the International Space Station (ISS) last week. Rubins also cast her 2016 vote from the ISS.

Astronauts who will be off planet during early voting and election day begin the process by filling out the same Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) members of the military and their families serving outside the United States.

The team at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston works with the county clerk who manages elections in the astronaut’s home county, generally Harris County where most astronauts live. A secure electronic ballot generated by that clerk is up linked by Johnson’s Mission Control Center to the voting crew member. An e-mail with crew member-specific credentials is sent from the County Clerk to the astronaut.

The astronaut completes their ballot which is down linked to mission control which is then delivered via email to the clerk. The clerk has the only password that can open the encrypted ballot.

This wasn't the first time Rubins has voted from space. She cast her vote in the 2016 election from the ISS.

Early voting continues through Saturday October 31. Most locations across the area are open 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m Monday through Friday and until 3:00 p.m. on Saturday October 31, the last day of Early Voting

WRAL's "Plan Your Vote" resource guide has everything you need to find early voting sites and their hours in your county or your election day polling place.