Early voting begins tomorrow in the May 22 Democratic Primary Runoff Election, with four seats up for grabs.
Andrew White and Lupe Valdez are running for the governor’s seat, Alex Dominguez and Rene Oliveira for the District 37 seat, Adolfo Cordova and Carlos Masso for the 197th state District Judge position, and Javier Reyna and Jonathan Gracia for Cameron County justice of the peace precinct 2, place 2. All are vying to represent the Democratic Party in the November General Election.
Remi Garza, administrator of the Cameron County Elections and Voter Registration Office, said anyone can vote in the runoff election except for those persons who voted in the Republican primary election held in March.
“Any registered voter in Cameron County who did not participate in the Republican primary” may vote, Garza said. “If you voted in the Democratic primary you are eligible to vote, if you did not vote in either party’s primary you are eligible to vote, but if you voted in the Republican primary you are not eligible to participate in the Democratic Party runoffs.”
Although runoff elections generally have a lower voter turnout, Garza hopes that since there are two local races that affect the Brownsville area, people will get out and vote. Garza is referring to the District 37 race and the race for justice of the peace precinct 2, place 2.
“With the two races in Brownsville being on the ballot, I think we are going to see an above average turnout in the Brownsville area and, hopefully, that will spur some activity in the western and northern county,” Garza said.
There are 26 early voting locations that will be open beginning Monday throughout Cameron County. Early voting will be held from Monday through May 18.
People planning to vote will need to provide a form of photo identification.
Here is a list of the acceptable forms of photo ID provided by the Texas Secretary of State’s Office:
• Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety
• 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 containing the person’s photograph
• United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
• United States Passport (book or card)
According to the SOS, if a voter does not have photo identification, the following information may be provided:
• copy or original of a government document that shows the voter’s name and an address, including the voter’s voter registration certificate;
• copy of or original current utility bill;
• copy of or original bank statement;
• copy of or original government check;
• copy of or original paycheck; or
• copy of 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 which 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 execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration.
Early voting locations, for voting hours and dates (956) 544-0809
• Harlingen Cultural Arts Center, 576 ‘76 Drive, Harlingen
• Harlingen County Annex Building, 3302 Wilson Road, Harlingen
• San Benito Community Building, 210 E. Heywood St., San Benito
• La Feria Fire Station, 200 E. Business 83, La Feria
• Los Fresnos Community Building, 204 Brazil St., Los Fresnos
• Port Isabel City Hall, 305. E. Maxan St., Port Isabel
• Rio Hondo ISD Administrative Bldg., 215 W. Colorado, Rio Hondo
• Santa Maria ISD Board Room, 11119 Old Military Highway 281, Santa Maria
• Santa Rosa County Annex; 116 Santa Vista Ave., Santa Rosa
• Riverside Middle School, 35428 Padilla St., San Benito
• TSTC Student Center, 1902 N. Loop 499, Harlingen
