In-person early voting begins Monday

The long awaited election is finally on us as voters will begin to cast their ballot for president of the United States and other important races.

Starting Monday, Oct. 21, registered voters in Lavaca County can start casting their ballot at the Annex Building at 412 N. Texana St. in Hallettsville. Early voting will continue each day, including the weekend, through Friday, Nov. 1.

A schedule of the days for those wishing to vote early include:

• Monday, Oct. 21 through Friday, Oct. 25 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Saturday, Oct. 26 – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Sunday, Oct. 27 – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 28 through Friday, Nov. 1 – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The general election will take place Tuesday, Nov. 5.

On the Ballot

This year’s election for U.S. president and vice-president, include Republican nominees Donald J. Trump and J.D. Vance and Democrat nominees Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Also on the ballot for president/ vice-president are Libertarian Party nominees Chase Oliver/Mike ter Maat and Green Party candidates Jill Stein/Rudolph Ware.

The seat for U.S. Senator is also included on the ballot with incumbent Republican Ted Cruz facing Democrat Colin Allred and Libertarian Ted Brown.

United States Representative, District 27 will have incumbent Republican Michael Cloud running against Democrat Tanya Lloyd.

Also, contested races on the ballot include the election of Texas Railroad Commissioner, several Justices for Texas Supreme Court, judges for Court of Criminal Appeals.

In the race for Texas State Representative, District 30, Republican Party nominee A.J. Louderback will face Democrat Party nominee Stephanie R. Bassham.

Regarding county elections, all positions on the ballot are uncontested and include James Reeves (attorney), Steven E. Greenwell (sheriff), Deborah A. Sevcik (tax assessor/collector), Tammy Koerth (treasurer), Edward Pustka (commissioner Pct. 1), James Foster (JP, Pct. 1) and Mike Buchanek (constable, Pct. 1).

Hallettsville Independent School District voters will vote on Proposition A that includes the wording on the ballot: “The issuance of $25,956,000 building bonds for the construction, renovation and equipment of athletic facilities in the district including a new gymnasium/multi-purpose facility and levying and imposition of taxes sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds and the costs of any credit agreements, this is a property tax increase. “

Vysehrad ISD voters will vote on the election of four Board of Trustee members including incumbents Alice Janak (Place 2) and Mike Michalec (Place 7), who are uncontested.

Regarding contested VISD board races, incumbent Agnes Greer and Stacie JanakOates will vie for the Place 3 chair, while Liz Baker will face incumbent Laura Roberson.

Yoakum ISD voters will have a decision that includes: “Ratifying the ad valorem tax rate of $1.00059 in Yoakum ISD for the current year, a rate that will result in an increase of 1.65 percent in maintenance and operations tax revenue for the district for the current year as compared to the preceding year, which is an additional $857,208.”

Sample ballots appear elsewhere in this issue of the paper.

Ballot by Mail Deadline

Registered voters in Lavaca County who plan on voting by mail must have a 2024 ballot by mail application on file with the Lavaca County Elections Department.

The deadline for turning in applications for Ballot by Mail is Friday, Oct. 25.