Amendments draw light turnout
By Kathy Thomson
Early voting for the Tuesday, Nov. 5 Special Election to adopt or reject the Proposed Constitutional Amendments to the Texas Constitution will end tomorrow, and registered voters who have not already cast their ballots are encouraged to participate in early voting today or tomorrow or to vote on Election Day next Tuesday, Nov. 5.
On Monday afternoon, election clerk Cheri Hawkins said that 42 people had already cast their ballots in person.
Early voting will continue today, Oct. 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Friday, Nov. 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Shackelford County Courthouse.
“We offer curbside voting for those who may have trouble with walking up the steps,” said Hawkins. “We’d love to have some more people voting.”
Anyone properly registered to vote in Shackelford County can vote during early voting hours, and the Courthouse is the only location in Shackelford County where people can cast a ballot in this election.
Vote by Mail
Seventeen mail-in ballots had been requested before the Oct. 25 deadline, and those ballots were mailed out on Monday, Oct. 28, according to Hawkins.
The ballots must be filled out and returned by mail to Hawkins’ office, at the address listed on the ballot, on or before Nov. 5.
People with questions can call Hawkins at 325-762-9415.
Voter ID
Voters who vote in person, either for early voting, or on Election Day, should bring a photo ID and their voter registration card with them if possible.
“When you arrive at the polling place, you will be asked to present one of the seven acceptable forms of photo identification, unless you are a voter with a permanent exemption on your voter registration certificate,” said Texas Secretary of State Ruth H. Hughs. “If you do not possess a form of acceptable photo identification and you cannot reasonably obtain one, show a supporting form of identification to the election official and execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration.”
Election Day
On Election Day, Nov. 5, all Shackelford County precincts will vote at the Courthouse between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Sample ballots are available at shackelfordcounty.org by clicking on “Elections.”
There are 10 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution listed on the ballot, covering topics that include judicial rules, bonds, taxes, distributions of school funds, creation of a flood infrastructure fund, and the transfer of ownership of law enforcement animals.
Proposition 1
The constitutional amendment permitting a person to hold more than one office as a municipal judge at the same time.
Proposition 2
The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of additional general obligation bonds by the Texas Water Development Board in an amount not to exceed $200 million to provide financial assistance for the development of certain projects in economically distressed areas.
Proposition 3
The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion of the appraised value of certain property damaged by a disaster.
Proposition 4
The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of an individual income tax, including a tax on an individual’s share of partnership and unincorporated association income.
Proposition 5
The constitutional amendment dedicating the revenue received from the existing state sales and use taxes that are imposed on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission to protect Texas’ natural areas, water quality, and history by acquiring, managing, and improving state and local parks and historic sites while not increasing the rate of the state sales and use taxes.
Proposition 6
The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase by $3 billion the maximum bond amount authorized for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.
Proposition 7
The constitutional amendment allowing increased distributions to the available school fund.
Proposition 8
The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the flood infrastructure fund to assist in the financing of drainage, flood mitigation, and flood control projects.
Proposition 9
The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation precious metal held in a precious metal depository located in this state.
Proposition 10
The constitutional amendment to allow the transfer of a law enforcement animal to a qualified caretaker in certain circumstances.
CHECK!! ...Then Elect
Hawkins cautioned voters to check their voter summary page before they cast their ballot.
“Check over all your selections on your ballot before you hit the red ‘cast ballot’ button!” Hawkins said. “If you need assistance, ask for it. That’s what we are there for.”
Hawkins said that even while voters are in the voting booth, the clerks can help them if they request the assistance, but once the red ‘cast ballot’ button is pushed, the vote can not be changed.
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