Texans have been focusing on the governor’s race in the November 4 general election, but in Orange County different voters may think an alcoholic beverages wet-dry issue is the most important. Other local voters may find that a school bond issue is the drawing card to the voting boxes, or perhaps a special sales tax to finance firefighters.
Orange County Elections Administrator Tina Barrow said the county will have general election ballots for offices. People living in Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 will also decide on whether or not to sell beer, wine or alcoholic beverages. Two options will be on the general ballot for Precinct 2 to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ One issue is for the legal sale of beer and wine for off-premises consumption only. The other issue is for the legal sale of all alcoholic beverages, including mixed beverages. Residents and businesses, particularly in the Mauriceville area, successfully had a petition drive to get the wet-dry decision on the ballot.
Barrow said the Bridge City ISD will have a bond election on November 4. The school district will have a separate ballot for the bond issue. Registered voters living in the Bridge City ISD will vote at their regular assigned county voting precincts. Barrow said the school district has eight locations. The Bridge City school board has approved a $25 million bond election to build a fine arts center with an auditorium and stage. The center will be used by the band, choir, drama department, art department and drill team. In addition, a number of athletic facilities improvements are proposed. Those include a new field house, a new concession stand, new baseball field lighting and covers for baseball and softball stands.
The Orange County Emergency Services District No. 1, which covers the Vidor area, will have an election to approve or reject a 1.5 percent sales tax to help support the district. Barrow said the sales tax issue will also be on a separate ballot. Registered voters in ESD No. 1 will to their usual county voting sites. The district has 11 sites.
A number of statewide offices will be on the ballot, along with one amendment to the state constitution. Orange County voters will also choose a new U.S. Representative to replace Steve Stockman in District 36. The contenders are Republican Brian Babin of Woodville and Democrat Michael K. Cole of Orange. For District 21 in the Texas House of Representatives, Republican Dade Phelan of Jefferson County will be running against Democrat Gavin Bruney. The incumbent, Allan Ritter, is not seeking re-election.
Several county offices will be up for election, with most of the candidates unopposed. Voters in two county precincts will have contested races for justice of the peace. In Precinct 1, incumbent David Peck, a Republican, is being challenged by Democrat Gail Shaw Barnett. In Precinct 3, incumbent Janice Menard, a Democrat, is facing Republican Joyce Dubose Simonton.
October 6 is the deadline to register for the November 4 elections. Early voting will start October 20 and end October 31.
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