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Voters turnout in record-breaking numbers as early voting kicks off

Wed, 10/24/2018 - 1:58 pm
  • Stephens County Courthouse. BA photo Contributed by Cassandra Martin  
    Stephens County Courthouse. BA photo Contributed by Cassandra Martin

The Stephens County Tax Office reported record-breaking turnout for the first two days of early voting yesterday, with 300 votes. The previous record was 269. This is also a trend in other parts of Texas and the country, as early voting across the state and U.S. are seeing increases from years prior.

According to the Texas Tribune, Dallas County had a combined in-person and mail-in voting number at 55,384 after Monday, which almost doubled 2014's first day. In Bexar County, more than 24,000 voted, compared with the 13,000 in 2014. In Midland County, more than 3,500 votes were cast, compared to the 756 on day one of 2014.

Early voting for the 2018 midterm began Monday and will run through Friday, Nov. 2. The election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

The Breckenridge American encourages all registered voters to participate in the midterm. To vote, go to the Stephens County Courthouse at 200 W. Walker St.

If you are voting by absentee ballot, you must meet one of the following requirements according to the VoteTexas website:

  • You are 65 or older
  • You are disabled
  • you will be out of the county on Election Day and during the period for early voting by personal appearance
  • You are confined in jail but are otherwise eligible

If you are voting by absentee ballot, you must apply for it 11 days out from the election, or Oct. 26. The last day to receive your ballot will be on Election day, Tuesday, Nov. 6. It must be postmarked by Election Day and the recieved by your local election office the day after the election.

For more information on voting, visit the VoteTexas website or call 1-800-252-8683. The VoteTexas website states in order to vote, you must bring one of seven forms of I.D. Those I.D., which are as followed:

  • Texas Drivers License
  • Texas Election I.D. Certificate
  • Texas Personal Identification Card
  • Texas Handgun License
  • U.S. Citizenship Certificate with Photo
  • U.S. MIlitary I.D. card with photo
  • U.S. Passport (book or card)

If you do not possess one of these, you may fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration form at the polls and show an original or copy of one of the following:

  • Certified Domestic Birth Certificate or Court Admissible Birth Document
  • Current Utility Bill
  • Bank Statement
  • Government Check
  • Paycheck
  • Government document with your name and an address including your Voter Registration Certificate

Below are the candidates on the ballot in Stephens County, according to VoteTexas. Only the top half of Stephens County belongs to the 19th Congressional District. The bottom half belongs to the 11th Congressional District. This may vary the ballot depending on where your residence is located.

U.S. Senator

Ted Cruz (Republican)

Beto O'Rourke (Democrat)

Neal M. Dikeman (Libertarian)

U.S. Representative District 19

Jodey Arrington (Republican)

Miguel Levario (Democrat)

U.S. Representative District 11

Mike Conaway (Republican)

Jennie Lou Leeder (Democrat)

Rhett Rosenquest Smith (Libertarian)

Governor of Texas

Greg Abbott (Republican)

Lupe Valdez (Democrat)

Mark Jay Tippetts (Libertarian)

Lieutenant Governor

Dan Patrick (Republican)

Mike Collier (Democrat)

Kerry Douglas McKennon (Libertarian)

Attorney General

Ken Paxton (Republican)

Justin Nelson (Democrat)

Michael Ray Harris (Libertarian)

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Glenn Hegar (Republican)

Joi Chevalier (Democrat)

Ben Sanders (Libertarian)

Commissioner of the General Land Office

George P. Bush (Republican)

Miguel Suazo (Democrat)

Matt Pina (Libertarian)

Commissioner of Agriculture

Sid Miller (Republican)

Kim Olson (Democrat)

Richard Carpenter (Libertarian)

Railroad Commissioner

Christi Craddick (Republican)

Roman McAllen (Democrat)

Mike Wright (Libertarian)

Justice, Supreme Court, Place 2

Jimmy Blacklock (Republican)

Steven Kirkland (Democrat)

Justice, Supreme Court, Place 4

John Devine (Republican)

R.K. Sandill (Democrat)

Justice, Supreme Court, Place 6

Jeff Brown (Republican)

Kathy Cheng (Democrat)

Presiding Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals

Sharon Keller (Republican)

Maria T. (Terri) Jackson (Democrat)

William Byran Strange III (Libertarian)

Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 7

Barbara Parker Hervey (Republican)

Ramona Franklin (Democrat)

Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 8

Michelle Slaughter (Republican)

Mark Ash (Democrat)

State Representative District 60

Mike Lang (Republican)

Chief Justice, 11th Court of Appeals District

John Bailey (Republican)

County Judge

Michael Roach (Republican)

District Clerk

Christie Coapland (Republican)

County Clerk

Jackie Ensey (Republican)

County Treasurer

Sharon Trigg (Republican)

County Commissioner, Pct. 2

Mark McCullough (Republican)

County Commissioner, Pct. 4

Jamie V. Whitley (Republican)

Justice of the Peace

Steve Spoon (Republican

Check back in with the Breckenridge American to receive more updates throughout this election cycle.