Election slated Saturday

By RAY QUIROGA
publisher@sbnewspaper.com

With early voting for the local San Benito City Commissioners’ and the San Benito CISD Board of Trustees’ General Election now closed as of Tuesday night, April 30, and Election Day set for Saturday, May 4, the uptick in voter participation thus far likely indicates a higher turnout overall come Saturday.

According to the voter count provided by the Cameron County Office of Elections and Voter Registration, the San Benito Community Building alone saw an unofficial 2,047 ballots casted in the SBCISD Board of Trustees’ race as of the close of early voting. Of the 2,147 total early votes casted in the school board races, the highest number of voters (359) waited until the final day of early voting to cast their ballots.

On the city commissioners’ side, at total of 1,648 unofficial ballots were casted during early voting with 1,621 casted at the Community Building alone. As in the school board races, the majority of voters waited until the final day of early voting to arrive at the polls (283).

In the San Benito School Board of Trustees’ race former SBCISD Superintendent of Schools Theresa Servellon is challenging incumbent and current board Vice-President, Dr. Ariel Ann Cruz-Vela for Pl. 1 on the board of trustees. Servellon, who was ushered out as SBCISD Superintendent by the board majority which includes Cruz-Vela in the fall of 2023, announced her intention to run for the school board in late February.

Incumbents Mario Silva and Oscar Medrano, part of the current board minority, are also seeking reelection for Places 2 and 3, respectfully.

Challenging Silva and Medrano are Crystal Hernandez (Pl. 2) and local businessman Israel Villarreal III (Pl. 3). In late January, Villarreal posted his announcement on Facebook. Finally, in the school district race, former trustee, Victor Rosas is seeking to regain a spot on the school board, describing himself as an independent and also challenging Silva for Pl. 2.

For the City, Rene Villafranco, who lost his spot on the commission in last year’s race, is vying to fill the Pl. 4 seat left vacant by Carol Lynn Sanchez who was recently voted off the commission for no longer residing within city limits. Villafranco is facing political newcomer Joe Navarro. Commissioner Pedro “Pete” Galvan is running unopposed for Pl. 3.

Polls open on Saturday at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Voters need a valid photo ID to participate. Cell phones or other electronic computer or audio devices are not allowed at the polling locations, however sample paper ballots and written notes are allowed.

Voters are required to vote at their precinct location on Election Day. Precinct locations are as follows: Precincts 17, 51 – La Paloma Elementary, 35076 Padilla St., La Paloma; 18, 22, 40 Sullivan Elementary, 900 Elizabeth St., San Benito; 19, 21, 49, 50, 57, 101, the San Benito Community Building, 201 E. Heywood St., San Benito; 23, 43, Rangerville Elementary, 17558 Landrum Park Rd, San Benito; 24, Santa Maria Administration Building, 11119 Old Military Rd., Santa Maria; 25 Los Indios Community Center, 309 E. Heywood St., Los Indios; 44, 79, UTRGV Clinical Education Building, 2102 Treasure Hills Blvd., Harlingen.

All votes are unofficial until canvased.