Early voting in the Tuesday, November 5, General Election will get underway Monday, October 21. Those planning to vote early in Hill County will have three locations to choose from in Hillsboro, Whitney (Huron) and Hubbard.
There is only one contested race at the county level, with incumbent Scotty Hawkins, a Republican, and Democrat Pollyanna Thibodeau running for Hill County Precinct 3 commissioner.
At the state level, incumbent Republican Angelia Orr and Democrat Albert Hunter are both seeking the District 13 state representative seat.
For Hill County voters, incumbent Republican Jake Ellzey is running to continue serving as the District 6 U.S. representative, and Democrat John Love III is challenging him for the seat.
Bosque County voters will have a choice of Republican John Carter, the incumbent, or Democrat Stuart Whitlow in the race for District 31 U.S. representative.
For a complete list of races on Hill County ballots, see page 5. Bosque County sample ballots can be found at http://www.bosquecounty.us/elections.
The main early voting location in Hill County is the Covington Street Annex, located at 126 South Covington Street in Hillsboro. Voting hours will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, October 21, through Friday, October 25, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, October 28, through Friday, November 1. Weekend voting hours will also be offered at this location from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, October 26, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, October 27.
The Hill County Precinct 1 Annex, located at 5800 FM 933 in Whitney (Huron), will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, October 21, through Friday, October 25, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, October 28, through Friday, November 1.
Voting will also be conducted at the Hubbard Civic Center, located at 300 North Magnolia in Hubbard. Hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, October 21, through Friday, October 25, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, October 28, through Friday, November 1.
Hill County voters can cast an early ballot at any of the three early voting locations.
In Bosque County, the main early voting site is the Election Administration Building, at 104 West Morgan Street in Meridian. The branch location will be the Clifton Civic Center, in the Judge’s Chamber Room at 403 West 3rd Street in Clifton.
Bosque County early voting hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, October 21, through Friday, October 25; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, October 26; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, October 27; and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, October 28, through Friday, November 1.
Local residents planning to vote by mail should remember that the last day to apply for a ballot by mail is Friday, October 25. Voters who are disabled or 65 and older can use a single application to request ballots for all county elections in the calendar year.
Those eligible to vote by mail include those who will be 65 years or older by Election Day; those who cite a sickness or disability that prevents them from voting in person without needing personal assistance or without the likelihood of injuring their health; those will not be in their home county for the entire election period, including early voting; those who are expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day; and those who are confined in jail but otherwise eligible (i.e., not convicted of a felony).
To request an application to vote by mail, call the Hill County Elections Administration Office at 254-582-4072 or the Bosque County Elections Office at 254-435-6650.
Applications can then be submitted by mail, fax or email. Those who email or fax their applications must also send the original hard copy to the elections office.
For additional details about ballot by mail requirements or answers to specific questions, visit votetexas.gov or contact the appropriate county elections office.
On Election Day, polling places will be available throughout the area. A complete list will be featured in the Wednesday, October 30, edition of The Lakelander, or find them online at co.hill.tx.us or http://www.bosque county.us/elections.
Hill County also offers the “TextMyGov” service that provides quick answers to frequently asked questions about voting. Simply text “Hi” to 254-266-6442 to get started.
The Lakelander 