Record tallied in midterm election

A large turnout of Shackelford County voters, believed to be a record for a midterm election and representing more than 56 percent of registered voters, overwhelming supported Republican candidates in state and national offices.

There was a huge gap in all races, with Republicans earning as much as 90 to 93 percent of the local vote in many areas.

Statewide percentages were much closer in most races, but Republican incumbents managed to fend off their Democratic challengers.

All county and district candidates ran unopposed, although some had opposition in the March primary.

Shackelford County Clerk Cheri Hawkins said that results from the electronic voting machines were tallied quickly despite the heavy turnout, with decisions reported to the state well before 8:00 p.m.

A total of 1,294 local voters cast ballots on Tuesday or during early voting, representing 56.56 percent of the 2,288 registered voters countywide. This compares with 1,521 voters in the presential election in 2016.