Early voting underway for run-off
By Kathy Thomson
Early voting for the primary run-off elections is currently underway, and registered Shackelford County voters can cast their ballots at the Courthouse today (July 2), Monday through Friday next week (July 6-10), or on Election Day, Tuesday, July 14.
Mail ballot requests must be received by Shackelford County clerk Cheri Hawkins before the Courthouse closes today at 5:00 p.m.
The Courthouse will be closed on Friday, July 3 for the statewide Independence Day holiday.
“This year the mail ballot has to be in our office on July 2, not just postmarked that date,” Hawkins said.
Voting Location, Times
The primary run-off elections were postponed from May 26 until July 14 by a proclamation from Gov. Greg Abbott in March due to concerns about the coronavirus.
All Shackelford County precincts will vote at the Courthouse during the primary run-off election.
“Two doors are open,” said Hawkins, “The door by the handicap ramp and the door from the parking lot will both be unlocked.”
The polls are open for early voting from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 10.
Early voting began on Monday, June 29 and will close on Friday, July 10.
Voting will take place from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, July 14.
Hawkins said that the Courthouse will remain open during lunch hours for voting to help reduce the number of voters coming in at the same time.
Virus Precautions
“We have masks and gloves available, and we also have pencils on hand for voters who would like to use those to operate the voting machine,” said Hawkins. “Wearing a mask is not mandatory, but it is encouraged. We clean the door handles as well as the machines after each voter.”
Hand sanitizer is available to voters when they enter and when they exit.
“If you need to vote curb-side, just call 325-762-9415 and we will bring the machine out to you,” added Hawkins.
Primary Run-off
Candidates
The ballot for the primary run-off election to be held Tuesday, July 14, will include two Republican candidates for the Texas House District 60 seat.
Jon Francis from Cisco and Glenn Rogers from Palo Pinto are battling for the seat, which is being vacated by Mike Lang.
With no Democratic candidate on the November ballot, the winner of the Republican primary will automatically represent Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Eastland, Hood, Palo Pinto, Shackelford, and Stephens counties in the Texas House of Representatives.
For Democrats, there will be a run-off July 14 between Royce West and Mary “MJ” Heager for the U.S. Senate seat.
In November, the winner of that run-off will face Republican incumbent John Cornyn, as well as several other candidates, including Cedric Jefferson (Power Over Politics Party), James Brumley (The Human Rights Party), and independents Tim Smith, Arjun Srinvasan, and Ricardo Turullols-Bonilla.
Also on the Democratic July run-off ballot will be two candidates for Railroad Commissioner – Roberto “Beto” Alonzo and Chrysta Castaneda.
That winner will run against Republican James Wright in the November 2020 election.
In March, Abbott also issued an order authorizing parties that nominate by convention to postpone those conventions or hold them remotely.
Libertarian Party candidates will be elected at the Libertarian convention on Aug. 3, adding a candidate to the Railroad Commissioners race in November.
