Early voting continues this week

With two more 12-hour days of early voting and the regular 12-hour Election Day on Tuesday, March 5 voters will still have plenty of opportunities to cast ballots in the March Republican and Democratic primaries.

Friday’s ending date for early voting closes out an unprecedented weekend schedule for Shackelford County, with the Courthouse voting site open for 12 hours on Saturday and six hours on Sunday afternoon in compliance with new state laws.

Of the 161 in-person voters asofearlyWednesdaymorning, only six checked in on Saturday and eight on Sunday afternoon.

Early balloting will be available at the Courthouse through 7:00 p.m. this Friday, March 1, including the lunch hour.

In addition to the in-person voters, 43 mail ballots have been returned.

County and district clerk Cheri Hawkins reminds those who requested mail ballots that they must be received in her office by election day on March 5.

She also said that curbside voting is offered at the Courthouse for those who need it. There are two designated See Election, Melinda Lucas / Albany News parking places for curbside voters, who can call ahead or call when they arrive. The clerk’s office number is 325-762-9415.

Election Day

Electiondaypollingwith beopenfrom7:00a.m.until 7:00 p.m. next Tuesday, March 5, with voting sites open in all four precincts.

Hawkinsremindedresidents of Voting Precinct 303 that they should go to the Moran Event Center at 517 Herron St. to cast their ballots on Tuesday.

“MoranISDboughtthat building from the Methodist Church, and school officials are letting us use it,” said Hawkins.

Voting Precincts 101, 202, 307, and 406 will be at the Courthouse as usual onMarch5,aswillPrecinct 404 at the Precinct 4 Barn in Lueders, and Precinct 405 at the Rockhill building in Hamby.

Local Candidates

County voters will be electing party candidates for several offices to be determine in the November General Election, including for President, U.S. Senator, and U.S. Representative District 19..

The lone contested race in Shackelford County is for Precinct 1 County Commissioner, withincumbent Steve Riley and challenger Bobby Williams both running on the Republican Primary Ballot.

For District Attorney of the 259th Judicial District, there are two Republican candidates – Deborah D. Dictson and Isaac M. Castro.

Other incumbents who have filed for reelection on the Republican primary ballot are CountyAttorney Rollin Rauschl (who may face a write-in opponent in the November General Election), Sheriff Edward Miller, Precinct 3 Commissioner Lanham Martin, and County Constable Xavier Perez.

Rodney Casey will be on the ballot running for Republican Party Chairman of Shackelford County.

No local candidates filed fortheDemocraticPrimary.

There are also 13 propositions to consider on the Republican ballot.