VOTE: Midterm elections are Tuesday

FAR WEST TEXAS – This Friday is the last day of early voting before Tuesday’s midterm general election for national, state, region, and county offices. Voting early is encouraged to avoid long lines or last minute issues. According to county election officials, early voting continues to break records for the region. As of Tuesday, 33 percent of registered voters in Brewster County had cast their ballots; in Presidio County 15 percent of registered voters had been to the polls; and for Jeff Davis County, a whopping 40 percent voted. In Presidio County, since early voting began last Monday through this Tuesday, 721 residents had voted early, 497 in Marfa and 224 in Presidio. The county has 4,887 registered voters. Brewster County saw 2,437 of the county’s 7,282 registered voters cast ballots. Jeff Davis County had 683 residents vote, of the county’s 1,727 voters. The ballot includes Texas U.S. senator, governor, and numerous other state and local offices. A sample statewide ballot can be found at: https://www.sos.texas.gov/elections/forms/2018-nov-sample-bal-lot.pdf For Presidio County all nine current county officeholders are unopposed. In a separate election, held at the Marfa Shorthorn Gymnasium, residents are being asked to authorize how local funds will be sent to the state now that Marfa ISD is considered a “rich” district. Brewster County has all the excitement with four competitive races to keep an eye on, including two countywide posts. County Judge and County Treasurer top the local ballot, while County Commissioner Precinct 2 and Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 are also up for grabs. One-term County Judge Eleazor R. Cano, a Democrat, faces Republican challenger Lori Drawe-Holguin, the 83^rd State Judicial District court administrator. In the treasurer’s contest, it’s between Republican Donna Nunley, the current assistant treasurer, and Democrat Julie Morton, the county judge’s administrative assistant and county grant writer. Appointed incumbent Babete Mann isn’t seeking election. County Commissioner Precinct 2 will be a race between Republican Hank Mast and Democrat Sara Allen Colando, as current Commissioner Hugh Garrett isn’t seeking re-election. The Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 contest features three candidates of which two are write-ins. The Republican Party candidate is lawyer Bob Steele. The write-ins are Eva Garcia Milan, a longtime resident and Jerry Sotello, the former Precinct 1 JP from 1999 to 2014. Current JP Gilbert Valenzuela isn’t seeking re-election. The other five local races on the ballot are uncontested members of the Democratic Party: District Clerk Jo Ann Salgado, County Clerk Berta Rios- Martinez, Commissioner Precinct 4 Commissioner Mike “Coach” Pallanez, JP Precinct 2 Jim Burr in south county, and JP Precinct 3 Susana M. Gonzalez of Marathon. Brewster County residents also get to vote on whether to keep or abolish the office of county surveyor. In Jeff Davis County the local positions will be uncontested with the exception of the Justice of the Peace race. Republican Mary Ann Luedecke is the sitting JP, and is being challenged by Democrat J.R. Harrell. Election day voting in Presidio County for precincts one and seven will be at the Marfa Fire Station. All other precincts will need to vote at the Presidio County Annex in Presidio. On election day, polls are open from 7am to 7pm.