Early voting gets underway
Early voting for the Nov. 6 general election is underway in Shackelford County and continues through Nov. 2, with 110 people casting their ballots in person on Monday, another 95 voting Tuesday, and 71 mail-in ballots returned by Tuesday, according to election clerk Cheri Hawkins.
Early in-person voting takes place on the first floor of the Shackelford County Courthouse from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday.
Anyone properly registered to vote in Shackelford County can vote during early voting hours. The Courthouse is the only polling place open for early voting.
Hawkins added that curbside voting is available if needed.
“We do have curb side voting available if it is hard for someone to get up the steps or walk that far,” said Hawkins. “Call ahead of time if possible so we can be expecting you. It is a service we are glad to provide.”
Voter ID
Those who vote in person, either early or on Election Day, should bring a photo ID and their voter registration card with them if they can.
Texas Secretary of State Rolando B. Pablos said that when citizens arrive at a polling location, they will be asked to present one of the seven acceptable forms of photo ID.
If voters do not possess acceptable forms of photo identification and can’t reasonably obtain one, they may present a supporting form of identification and fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration, noting their reasons for not obtaining photo identification.
On The Ballot
Offices voted on locally in this election are a U.S. Senator, the U.S. Representative from District 19, and several state-wide offices including the Texas Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller of Public Accounts, Land Office Commissioner, Agriculture Commissioner, and a Railroad Commissioner.
Three Texas Supreme Court justices are up for election, as is the presiding judge and two justices on the Court of Criminal Appeals.
Running unopposed on the ballot are several incumbents including state representative Mike Lang, justice John Bailey, district judge Brooks H. Hagler, district and county clerk Cheri Hawkins, county treasurer Tammy Brown, and justice of the peace James Breeden.
Also unopposed in the general election are Robert “Bob” Skelton for county judge, Ace Reames for precinct 2 commissioner, and Cody Jordan for precinct 4 commissioner.
Sample ballots are available at shackelfordcounty.org under election information.
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 stressed. “If you need assistance, ask for it. That’s what we are there for.”
However, once the red ‘cast ballot’ button is pushed, the vote can not be changed, according to Hawkins.
“If you think you may need help, ask for it before you press the red button,” she said.
Hawkins said that even while voters are in the voting booth, the clerks can help them if they request the assistance.
Vote by Mail
Some voters are eligible to vote by mail if they prefer, but the last day to apply for a ballot by mail is tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 26.
“Applications must be received in my office by Oct. 26, not merely postmarked by that date,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins said that she can not accept vote by mail applications that are hand delivered to the courthouse because early voting is underway at that location.
In order to try and meet the Friday deadline, voters who have not already mailed in their request need to fill out and mail the request today, Thursday, Oct. 25. They should also consider asking the local post office personnel if they could handle the election ballot request at the local post office to avoid the item being sent to Fort Worth for sorting first.
Alternately, the vote by mail application can be downloaded online, filled out, and a scanned copy of the completed and signed application can be faxed to Hawkins at 325-762-9416 or submitted by email to her at elections@shackelfordcounty.org, to arrive before 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26. Then the original, hard copy of the application must be mailed and received by Hawkins no later than the fourth business day after the email or fax was received at the local courthouse.
Registered voters are only entitled to vote by mail if they will be away from their county on Election Day and during the hours that early voting is conducted, are sick or disabled, are 65 years of age or older on Election Day, or are confined in jail.
Those with questions can call Hawkins at 325-762-9415.
Election Day
Voters on Election Day, Nov. 6 are required to vote at the site designated for their precinct, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Precincts 101, 202, 307, and 406 vote at the county courthouse.
Precinct 4 Barn at 100 CR 241 in Lueders is the location for voters in precinct 404.
The Rockhill Building at 715 CR 155 in the Hamby area is the poll location for precinct 405.
Precinct 303 voters make their choices at the Moran Community Center, 233 Waters, in Moran.
