Forum held as early voting begins

By RAY QUIROGA
publisher@sbnewspaper.com

The San Benito League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) held a candidates’ forum a week prior to the start of early voting for the March Primaries.

The forum took place on the property of a senior member.

The chapter’s spokesperson, Elias Cantu, said the forum was rather impromptu, as only one candidate was scheduled to speak at the chapter meeting, but as word of the candidate’s appearance circulated, other candidates asked to participate.

Cantu stressed that the presence of certain candidates did not constitute an endorsement of those candidates or of any specific political party. He also stressed that the forum was open to any candidate who wished to attend.

In all, eight candidates for seats ranging from the San Benito City Commission, whose election will be held in May, to county, state, and congressional seats were provided a platform at the standing-room-only forum.

Deborah Morales, current San Benito City Commissioner; Etienne Rosas, challenging incumbent Vicente Gonzalez for US Rep., District 34; Thomas Ray Garcia, vying for a seat on the State Education Board; Esteban “Steve” Guerra, challenging incumbent Eddie Trevino, Jr. for County Judge; Sylvia Garza, incumbent County Clerk; David A. Betancourt, vying to retain his post as County Treasurer; and Esmeralda Cantu-Castle and Stephany Bauer, both vying for Texas Rep., District 37, were in attendance.

Early voting began this week (February 17) and will continue through February 27. Election Day is March 3, 2026. Turnout is strong in the Valley, which averages around 5%, especially among Democrats, who have recorded nearly 5,000 ballots as of Wednesday.

Locally, voting is available at the San Benito Community Building on Heywood.

Voters will cast their ballots with the DS200, a precinct-based scanner and vote tabulator equipped with the latest ES&S patented technology.

According to the Cameron County Elections Office, the DS200 is fully certified and compliant with EAC guidelines, enhancing the voting experience for voters and election officials. The patented IMR® and PTRAC™ software ensure that even poorly marked ballots are read accurately and consistently — protecting voter intent.

Under Texas law, voters must present one of the seven acceptable forms of photo ID to vote in person. Voters who do not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of the seven approved forms of photo ID may complete a Reasonable Impediment Declaration (RID) (PDF) at the polls and present an alternative form of ID, such as a utility bill, bank statement, government check, or voter registration certificate.

Acceptable forms of photo ID include: Texas Driver’s License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) * Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS * Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS * Texas Handgun License issued by DPS * United States Military Identification Card with the person’s photograph * United States Citizenship Certificate with the person’s photograph * United States Passport (book or card).

With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Certificate, which does not expire, for voters aged 18-69, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired no more than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place.

For voters aged 70 or older, the acceptable form of photo identification may have expired for any length of time if the identification is otherwise valid.

Election Identification Certificates are available from DPS driver license offices during regular business hours.

Here is a list of supporting forms of ID that may be presented if the voter does not possess one of the forms of acceptable photo ID and cannot reasonably obtain one: a copy or original of a government document that shows the voter’s name and address, including the voter’s voter registration certificate; a copy or original current utility bill; a copy or original bank statement; a copy or original government check; a copy or original paycheck; or a copy or original of (a) a certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certificate or (b) a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law that establishes the voter’s identity (which may include a foreign birth document).

After presenting one of the forms of supporting ID listed above, the voter must complete a Reasonable Impediment Declaration.

Voters with disabilities may apply with the county voter registrar for a permanent exemption by presenting acceptable photo identification or by following the county’s Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure.

The application must include written documentation from either the U.S. Social Security Administration showing the applicant’s disability or from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs showing a disability rating of at least 50 percent.

The applicant must also state that they do not have a form of identification prescribed by Section 63.0101 of the Texas Election Code.

Those who obtain a disability exemption may vote by presenting their voter registration certificate reflecting the exemption and will not need to execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration. Please contact your county voter registrar for more details.

Voters who have a consistent religious objection to being photographed, do not present an acceptable form of photo identification listed above, or follow the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure because of natural disasters declared by the President of the United States or the Texas Governor may vote a provisional ballot, appear at the voter registrar’s office within six calendar days after election day, and sign an affidavit swearing to the religious objection or the natural disaster, in order for the voter’s ballot to be counted.