Voters ready to cast ballots next Tuesday

Donley County voters will join millions of others across America next Tuesday, November 8, as they head to the polls to help choose the next president of the United States.

Early voting has been busy locally, and the county clerk’s office reports that 654 people had cast early ballots through Monday afternoon. That’s about 43 percent of the entire local turnout for the 2012 presidential election.

Despite high interest in the election, there is one local competitive race. Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Wheatly is facing a write-in opponent from Neil Koetting.

Early voting by personal appearance at the Donley County Courthouse Annex continues through 5 p.m. this Friday, November 4.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, and local ballots can be cast at the following locations:

Box 101 – Clarendon College Bairfield Activity Center, Box 102 – Howardwick City Hall, Box 201 – Donley County Courthouse, Box 301 – Assembly of God Fellowship Hall, Box 303 – Hedley First Baptist Church, and Box 401 – Clarendon Church of Christ Family Life Center.

Check your voter registration card to determine your box number.

Unopposed candidates this year include Sheriff Butch Blackburn, County Attorney Landon Lambert, County Tax Assessor/Collector Linda Crump, and Precinct One Commissioner Mark White. Local congressman, Rep. Mac Thornberry, is facing third party challenges, but State Rep. Ken King, District Judge Stuart Messer, and District Attorney Luke Inman are not.

Voters head to the polls this year with the state’s voter ID law facing legal challenges. Vargas says voters may be asked to show ID when they vote and the following forms of identification are acceptable: state driver’s license, a Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS, Texas personal identification card issued by DPS, or a Texas license to carry a handgun issued by DPS. Other forms of ID accepted under the law are a US military ID card that includes a personal photo, a US citizenship certificate that includes a personal photo, or a US passport.

A July court ruling as provided some relief for voters who cannot “reasonably obtain” the proper ID. They may be asked to sign a form in which they swear that they have a “reasonable impediment” from obtaining appropriate identification. Even then, those voters may be asked to produce one of the following: a valid voter registration certificate, a certified birth certificate, or a copy or original of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other document that shows the voter’s name and address. Any government document that contains a voter’s photo must be an original.

For live local election results, follow facebook.com/TheEnterprise or @ClarendonTxNews on Twitter, and results will also be posted on ClarendonLive.com.