Texas Early Voting
Early voting for the March 4 primaries will begin today at 12 locations across the county, and leaders for both major parties expect a larger-than-normal turnout.
With hype mounting around the presidential nominations, the primaries are expected to bring large crowds to the voting booths, especially on the Democratic side, officials said.
Many expect the tight race between Democratic candidates Sens. Barack Obama of Illinois and Hillary Clinton of New York to fuel high voter turnout for the party’s primary, even in the Republican- ruled county.
And with the Republican nomination all but decided, voter turnout isn’t expected to eclipse record highs that the party was expecting months ago, said Dianne Edmondson, the Denton County Republican Party chairwoman.
“It will draw the numbers down a little,” Edmondson said.
“But it’s up to the [local] candidates to get their people out.”
While the Republican presidential race lacks some luster, the local Republican ballot is highlighted with six contested races, including four winner-takes-all races, where the winners will have no opponent in November.
“The primary is very important, because in some of these races there isn’t going to be a general election contest,” Edmondson said.
In local races, no Democrats face opposition in the primary.
Neil Durrance, the Denton County Democratic Party chairman, could not be reached for comment Monday.
Tempted by Texas’ open primaries, some Republicans have contemplated voting in the Democratic primary to help influence the presidential vote, Edmondson said. However, she has discouraged voters from doing that because of the races on the Republican ballot.
“There are still some important races to vote on,” she said.
DAN X. McGRAW can be reached at 940-566-6875. His e-mail address is dmcgraw@dentonrc.com .
Today marks the beginning of early voting for the March 4 primary. Here is a list of candidates in the contested races, and the proposed referendums. (I) denotes the incumbent.
State senator, District 63
Craig Estes (I)
393 District Court judge
Lee Ann Breading
County commissioner Precinct 1
Cynthia White (I)
Constable Precinct 2
Michael Truitt (I)
Constable Precinct 4
John Hatzenbuhler (I)
Constable Precinct 5
Ken Jannereth (I)
Referendum 1: Federal, state and local officials should be required to enforce U.S. immigration laws in order to secure our borders.
Referendum 2: The Texas Legislature should make it a priority to protect the integrity of our election process by enacting legislation that requires voters to provide valid photo identification in order to cast a ballot in any and all elections conducted in the state of Texas.
Referendum 3: Every governmental body in Texas should be required to limit any annual increase in its budget and spending to the combined increase of population and inflation unless it first gets voter approval to exceed the allowed annual growth or in the case of an official state of emergency.
Tags: early, texas, voting
video here at youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvDAiWWuvRg
Wow. Look at Feb20’s other comments. So small minded and brain-washed. I almost feel sorry for him (obviously it’s a guy, females are rarely this hateful and close-minded).
It is a nice way of demonstrating that not all youth are apathetic. But the problem is just for early voting, and most counties only have one location for that….. naturally in the county seat. But again, I admire the initiative! Heck they didn’t just drive 8 miles to the county seat to vote; they marched en masse. Kudos.
Beautiful, absolutely brilliant; the people will no longer be denied! This type of action needs to become the status quo. Regardless of your political leanings, I strongly support your right to vote and be heard. March, picket, protest; what ever it takes; this is our country, it does not belong to the corporations, the special interest groups or the government. By the People For the people. Let’s Take It Back!
Looks like Obama just took an early lead.
Good for them, especially today, when most people wouldn’t walk two blocks to vote.
I bet they were all Obama supporters, too.Oh, Prairie View A&M?Yep. Obama supporters.
i just hope there not voting for hillary…
Just watch out for roller coasters.
Marching 7 miles to cast a vote, and it’s not even the general election yet. This gives me more hope for the future and younger people becoming more interested in how important politics are. My hats off to those fine young men and women. Show the establishment you will not be repressed nor disenfranchised.
video here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvDAiWWuvRg
Early voting is ALWAYS much smaller than the REAL VOTING DATE.And there WILL be more than 2 machines and one place open on the REAL ELECTION DAY. March 4th.A complete non-issue.
I marched 10 miles home when my truck broke down once.Where’s my article.