3 weeks Ago By Madison O'Hara
Despite the fact that local elections tend to affect residents more directly than state or national ones, only 8 to 10% of registered voters traditionally turn out to vote in them. Statistics reveal around 60% of local registered voters show up to the polls during federal elections. “It can be hard to know if you’re eligible to vote for certain city council seats or school board trustees because voting precincts are different than the school district’s parameters for districts and super districts,” Margetta Hill, Elections Administrator for Victoria County, said.
One reason for a lower voter turnout is just general confusion. What’s on the ballot? Who can I vote for? Why wait in line and vote if I can only vote on one issue? “If people are unsure what elections they can vote on or what school district they lie in, they can call us and we can help them figure out whether or not they can vote on certain issues,” Hill said. Here’s some info concerning the upcoming May 3 election in Victoria.
For Prop A, residents will vote on whether or not they want to impose a venue tax, which is a 2% tax on hotel rooms and a 5% tax on short-term motor vehicle rentals. This will be listed on the ballot as a one-ballot item called the Venue Tax. Only residents within the Victoria city limits can vote yes or no for Prop A.
The same goes for the City of Victoria’s mayoral election. On the ballot will be incumbent Duane Crocker and challenger Jacob “Saucey” Sauseda. For both Prop A and the City of Victoria mayoral candidates, only voters in voting precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, P7, 8, 9, 10, 17, 19, 21, 25, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35 will be able to vote.
Residents in Bloomington have an arduous task ahead of them and will be deciding whether or not to incorporate parts of Bloomington into Victoria as a municipality. Only residents within the city limits (precinct 13) of Bloomington can vote on this issue. Running unopposed in the Bloomington election is mayoral candidate Bernadette Walker, Sarah Stindt (Commisioner 1) and Ernesto Longoria (Commissioner 2).
Also on the ballot will be two Victoria city council seats, but both incumbents will be running unopposed. The two council members up for re-election are Andrew Young (District 5) and Mark Loffgren (District 6). Additionally, Kathy Bell, VISD School Board Trustee for District 1, will be running unopposed for re-election.
Probably the most anticipated races on the ballot will be the two super district school board trustee seats for VISD. Running for District 6 school board trustee is incumbent Margaret Pruett and her challenger, Andy Rokovich. Only voters in VISD District 6 can make a choice in this race.
District 6 is comprised of voting precincts 1, 2, P3, 4, 5, 6, P7, 8, P9, 17, P19, P26, P29, 32, P34 and P35. VISD School Board President and District 7 trustee, Mike Mercer, decided not to seek re-election. Three candidates are seeking to claim the super district seat.
On the ballot is Mickey Kostella, Josh Moore and Christian West. Only District 7 voters in precincts P3, P7, 10, P9, 11, 12, P14, P15, P16, 18, P19, 20, 21, P22, P23, P24, 25, P26, P27, P28, P29, 30, 31, 33, P34 and P35 are eligible here. “Local elections just aren’t as publicized as national elections,” Hill said.
“People forget or they get confused. Sometimes I’ve had 15 people come two days after the election and try to vote.” Early voting dates at the Pattie Dodson Health Center (2805 N.
Navarro) are set: Temporary Branch Location (Bloomington VFD, 51st Second St., Bloomington): “You don’t have to have your voter registration card. The most important thing you need is your photo ID,” Hill said.
On Election Day, Saturday, May 3, there will be 26 polling centers. Election Day Polling Centers are: The last day to apply for a ballot by mail (received, not postmarked) is Tuesday, April 22. If residents are unsure on just what they will be voting, they are encouraged to call the Elections Office at 361-576-0124.
For more information on the May 3 election, please visit vctxelections.org/page/elections.home .
In this column called Ask Madison, Madison O’Hara, a Victoria native and Advocate reporter, answers questions readers have about anything and everything to do with the Crossroads. Email your question to Madison at [email protected] or call her at 361-580-6558.
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