By RAY QUIROGA
publisher@sbnewspaper.com
As early voting for the Nov. 5, 2024 General Election closes on Friday, Nov. 1, close to 70,000 voters countywide have cast their ballots, as of Wednesday’s reported numbers, according to the Cameron County Elections Administration Office.
As with last week’s tally, the San Benito Community Building on Heywood ranks among the county’s top three most popular voting locations with 5,514 ballots cast at that location through Wednesday’s reported totals. Los Fresnos voters cast 3,775 ballots at the Los Fresnos Community Center while Rio Hondo recorded 1,463 ballots cast at the community’s Municipal Center through Wednesday. Meanwhile, Los Indios reported 277 ballots cast.
Once again leading the pack countywide this week was the Brownsville Public Library location with an impressive 14,340 ballots cast, almost 10,000 more ballots cast than last week’s totals and again more than doubling the county’s second most popular voting location, the Harlingen County Annex Building which reported 6,050 ballots cast as of Wednesday.
While the relatively high turnout is encouraging, the tallies have fluctuated as early voting, which commenced on Monday, Oct. 21, progressed through the past week and a half with the San Benito early voting locale reporting numbers ranging from 875 ballots cast the first day of early voting to 805 the second, 714 the third day, 620, 655, 371, then as low as 167 on Sunday and 463, 398, and 446 on Wednesday.
The last day to apply for ballot by mail was Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. The last day of early voting by personal appearance is today, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. The final day to receive a ballot by mail is Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 (Election Day) at 7 p.m. However, if the carrier envelope is not postmarked, the last day will be Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.
Voters are allowed to vote with notes and/or a sample ballot but cell phones must be turned off when entering the voting locale. Taking photos/selfies at the voting site is also prohibited. Voters are also asked not to wear/display any political attire or accessories such as caps, buttons, jewelry or t-shirts while at the voting site.
While voters do not need their official voting cards to cast their ballot, however, they will need to show valid identification such as a state-issued driver’s license, an official ID card, a license to carry card or a military ID. Student IDs will not be accepted. Registered voters will be able to cast their ballots at any voting location, countywide with their valid ID. Curbside voting is also available at certain locations and voters will be asked to choose between a paper or electronic ballot.
In the San Benito area, polling locations include:
La Encantada Elementary School, 35001 FM 1577, San Benito,
San Benito Fire Station #1, 1205 S. Sam Houston, San Benito,
San Benito Community Bldg., 210 E. Heywood St., San Benito,
Rio Hondo Municipal Center (Civic Center), 121 N. Arroyo Blvd., Rio Hondo,
Frank Roberts Elementary School, 451 Biddle St., San Benito,
Sullivan Environmental Science Academy, 900 Elizabeth St., San Benito,
Bonita Park Community Center, 601 S. Rangerville, Harlingen,
Los Indios Community Center, 309 E. Heywood St., Los Indios,
Fred Booth Global Leadership Academy, 705 Zaragoza St., San Benito,
Ed Downs Elementary School, 1302 N. Dick Dowling, San Benito,
La Paloma Elementary School, 35076 Padilla St., San Benito.
Polling locations are subject to change. For more information, including sample ballots and a complete list of voting locations, log onto www.cameroncountytx.gov or call the Cameron County Elections Office at (956) 544-0809.
At the county level, in Cameron County, Democratic candidate Estela Chavez Vasquez is running unopposed for County Court at Law No. 5. Other Democratic candidates running unopposed are Sheila Garcia Bence and Luis V. Saenz for Probate Court No. 1 and County Attorney, respectfully.
Cameron County Pct. 3 Commissioner David A. Garza is also going unchallenged, as is District 35 State Representative Oscar Longoria.
Ricardo M. Adobabati, David A. Sanchez and Gloria M. Rincones, District Judges for the 404th, 444th, and 445th Judicial Districts, respectfully, are all unopposed.
In other area races of note, Republican candidate Santiago “Jimmy” Manrrique is facing off against Democratic candidate Manuel “Manny” Trevino for Cameron County Sheriff. Democratic incumbent Adrian Gonzalez is looking to keep his spot as Constable, Precinct No. 3, against Republican challenger Gilbert Garcia.
In the race for County Tax Assessor-Collector, Republican candidate Jesus “Rami” Martinez is vying for the majority vote against Democratic candidate Eddie Garcia.
In the Court of Appeals district race, Republican candidate Jaime Tijerina is facing off against Democrat Gina Benavides for Chief Justice. Republican Jenny Cron is facing off against Democrat Nora Longoria for Place 2. For Place 4, Republican Ysmael D. Fonseca is vying against Democrat Joe Martinez. Finally, Republican Jon West is facing Democrat Regi Compian Richardson for Place 5.
There are three candidates in the race for Texas State Senator for District 27: Republican challenger Adam Hinojosa, Democratic incumbent Morgan LaMantia, and Green Party Member Robin Lee Vargas.
Republican incumbent Janie Lopez is facing Democratic challenger Jonathan Gracia for State Representative, District 37.
At the Federal level, in the District 34 House of Representatives race, Republican challenger Mayra Flores is facing incumbent Democrat Vicente Gonzalez.
In San Benito, voters have an opportunity to vote of a series of controversial amendments to the City Charter. See the Oct. 11 and 18, 2024 editions of the San Benito News for details on those amendments.
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