TRI-COUNTY — Early voting for the November 5 general election gets underway Monday, October 21, and runs through Friday, November 1, across the Big Bend region.
At the top of the ticket is the U.S. presidential race — largely dominated by Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris — followed by the U.S. Senate race in which Republican incumbent Ted Cruz is being challenged by Democrat Colin Allred. Republican incumbent Tony Gonzales is vying to keep his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives against Democrat Santos Limon, who has family roots in Marathon.
Running for railroad commissioner, the state agency which regulates the oil and gas industry, is Republican incumbent Christi Craddick, Democrat Katherine Culbert, Libertarian Party candidate Hawk Dunlap and Green Party candidate Eddie Espinoza. The commission — typically a low-profile body for Texas voters — has drawn greater scrutiny over an epidemic of abandoned oil wells leaking toxic, produced water into the environment in the Permian Basin.
Several seats on the Republican-led Texas Supreme Court — a governmental body facing criticism from Democrats for a recent ruling on abortion and reproductive rights — are up for election. Republican incumbent justices Jimmy Blacklock, John Devine and Jane Bland are being challenged by Democratic opponents DaSean Jones, Christine Weems and Bonnie Lee Goldstein for places 2, 4 and 6 respectively.
Running to represent West Texas, or District 1, in the State Board of Education are Republican Michael Travis Stevens and Democrat Gustavo Reveles. Democrat César Blanco is running unopposed to continue to represent District 29 in the Texas State Senate. Democrat incumbent Eddie Morales is running against Republican Robert Garza for the Texas House of Representatives District 74 seat.
The vast majority of county-level seats were decided in the primary election, meaning tri-county voters can expect to see several uncontested local races on their ballots. Other than a handful of propositions from the City of Alpine and school board elections in Fort Davis, Marathon and Terlingua, there are no other local ballot initiatives.
The deadline to register to vote has passed. To see if you are registered to vote visit the secretary of state’s website. Applications for voting by mail are due to county clerks by October 25. Sample ballots are available on each county’s website.
The Big Bend Sentinel details voting times, locations and local races below.
Presidio County
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 21 to 25
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, October 26
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, October 27
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. October 28 to November 1
Marfa Visitor’s Center (U.S.O.), 302 S. Highland Ave., Marfa
Presidio Spencer Building, 803 O’Reilly St., Presidio
Brewster County
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 21 to October 25
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, October 26
1 to 7 p.m. Sunday, October 27
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. October 28 to November 1
Judge Val Clark Beard Office Complex (Old Library), 203 N. 7th St., Alpine
City of Alpine ballot propositions
Precincts 1, 2, 4 and 8 voters within city limits
The City of Alpine is proposing nine changes to its city charter, the primary legal document that establishes the framework and structure of how the city functions. Changes range from scrapping outdated annexation laws to new term limits for city council members and the mayor. A full list of the propositions can be found in English and Spanish on the city’s website. The Sentinel also details the changes in an article in this week’s paper.
Marathon ISD Board of Trustees
Precinct 3 voters
The Marathon ISD Board of Trustees will hold a concurrent school board election. Phillip Moellering, Steve Griffis and incumbent Andy Lewis are vying for Place 2; LeAndra Ramirez and incumbent Judy Galindo Briones are vying for Place 4; Timothy Roberts and Gonzalo Hernandez are vying for Place 6; and Arlene Griffis and incumbent Craig Carter are vying for Place 7.
Jeff Davis County
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 21 to October 25
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, October 26
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, October 27
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. October 28 to November 1
County and District Clerk’s Office, 111 N. Front St., Fort Davis (enter through the double green doors)
Fort Davis ISD Board of Trustees
Fort Davis ISD will hold a concurrent school board trustee election. Ben Wilson and Brenda Vargas, who currently hold District 1 and District 2 seats respectively, are seeking re-election unopposed. Three candidates are vying for two at-large seats, incumbents Tommy Everett and Julia Hernandez, and an additional candidate, Mack Holley. Early voting will take place Monday through Friday, October 21 to November 1, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the FDISD Board Room located in the administration building, 401 Webster, Fort Davis.