Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Important deadlines are approaching for two elections that will take place in May.
A special election that includes two constitutional amendments and the proposed $394 million Granbury ISD bond (Propositions A and B) will take place on Saturday, May 7. Primary runoffs that include some local races as well as precinct chair competitions will be held on Tuesday, May 24.
The last day to register to vote in the May 7 special election is Thursday, April 7. That is also the deadline for updating one’s voter registration information.
The last day to apply for a ballot by mail (received, not postmarked) is Tuesday, April 26.
Early voting will begin on Monday, April 25 and will end on Tuesday, May 3. Specific days and hours have not yet been posted by the county’s elections office.
Early voting will take place at Annex 1, 1410 W. Pearl St.
The deadline to register to vote in the May 24 runoff election or to update one’s voter registration information ahead of that election is April 25.
Friday, May 13 is the deadline for vote-by-mail applications to be received.
The early voting period for the runoff will be May 16-20. Hours have not yet been posted, but voters can check for updates on the Elections and Voter Registration page on the county’s website, www.co.hood.tx.us.
Sample ballots will be posted there as well.
Hood County is heavily Republican, and the runoff election will include several local contests involving GOP candidates.
County Judge Ron Massingill is in a runoff with Mark Shackelford, and Wayne Baker Jr. and Stephen Barnett will face off in a contest for Precinct 3 justice of the peace.
The winner in each of those contests will face no Democratic challenger in the November General Election.
The May 24 ballot will also include precinct chairs, and there are several contested seats.
Those involved in precinct chair contests are: Clint Head and Terry McNew (Precinct 101); David C. Cook and Van Vernon (Precinct 103); David Streiff and Ericka Grim (Precinct 211); Jim Lilly and Kay Crain (Precinct 216); James F. Hyde and Nate Criswell (Precinct 314); and Cathy Hays and Courtney Gore (Precinct 317).
In certain circumstances, precinct chairs can choose who gets to hold office.
Under 145.036 of the Texas Election Code, when a party candidate for public office withdraws, dies, or moves away, the executive committee, which is composed of precinct chairs, fills the vacancy.
The replacement would not have to be one of the original primary candidates.
In a county where one party dominates and there is not a candidate from the opposing party on the General Election ballot, that would effectively mean that precinct chairs would choose the new office holder. There would not be a second election or any other selection method involving the choice of voters.
FORUM PLANNED
Voters will have an opportunity to hear from precinct chair candidates, as well as the county judge and JP3 contenders, during a candidate forum scheduled for Tuesday, May 10.
The event will take place in council chambers at Granbury City Hall, 116 W. Bridge St.
The county judge and JP3 candidates will speak from 6-7 p.m. After that, precinct chair candidates will be allowed to introduce themselves to the public.
