ICYMI: Super Tuesday Election is Today!

SAN ANGELO, TX -  The 2024 primary election is Today.   There are several contested local races in the Republican Primary along with 13 propositions.

The Republican and Democratic parties hold elections in the spring to select party nominees for the general election in November. In Texas, voters are not registered by party affiliation, so they can cast either a Democratic or Republican ballot in the March Primary.  

On March 5, voting is exclusively permitted at official election day polling places in Tom Green County, open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. San Angelo residents can cast their ballots at the following locations:

• Angelo Bible Church, 3506 Sherwood Way, Lobby
• Belmore Baptist Church, 1214 S. Bell St., Fellowship Hall
• Calvary Baptist Church, 2401 Armstrong St., Fellowship Center
• Christoval Community Center, 20022 Main, Christoval, TX. Multi-purpose room
• Concho Valley Transit District (Bus Depot), 506 N. Chadbourne St., Annex Building
• SAF San Angelo First, 1442 Edmund Blvd., Fellowship Hall
• Grape Creek Community Center, 8207 US Hwy 87N, Gene Marsh Board Room
• Keating Paint & Body, 5050 N. Chadbourne St., Reception Area
• Paulann Baptist Church, 2531 Smith Blvd., The Chapel
• Oak Grove Senior Apartments, 4375 Oak Grove Blvd., Multi-purpose Room
• Southgate Church of Christ, 528 Country Club Rd., Fellowship Hall
• Southside Recreation Center, 2750 Ben Ficklin Rd., Multi-purpose Room
• St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 8602 Loop 570, Wall, TX, 76957, Fellowship Hall
• MHMR Concho Valley, Admin. Bldg., 1501 W. Beauregard Ave., Jack Ray Room
• Veribest Baptist Church, 50 FM 2334, Veribest, TX 76886, Fellowship Hall
• Wesley United Trinity Methodist Church, 301 West 18th St., Fellowship Hall
• TXDOT, 4502 Knickerbocker Rd., Bldg. E, Training Room
• St. Mark Presbyterian Church, 2506 Johnson Ave., Fellowship Hall

To vote in Texas, a valid form of identification is mandatory. Acceptable forms 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
• U.S. military identification card containing the person’s photograph
• U.S. citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph
• U.S. passport (book or card)

If unable to obtain any of the listed IDs, voters may provide alternative documentation along with a "reasonable impediment declaration." Acceptable alternatives include:

• Copy or original of a government document showing the voter’s name and 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
• 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 establishing the voter’s identity (which may include a foreign birth document)

Notable contests include:

Federal Races

• President: Incumbent Democrat Joe Biden faces seven challengers, while former President Donald Trump leads the Republican field against three contenders.

U.S. Senate

• Republican Senator Ted Cruz seeks re-election, facing opposition from two fellow Republicans and nine Democratic candidates.

Statewide Races

• Railroad Commissioner: Incumbent Christi Craddick (R) contends with fellow Republicans and Democrats for the position.
• Texas Supreme Court: Various contested places on the bench are up for grabs.

Local Races in Tom Green County Tom Green County residents will have the opportunity to cast their votes in several key local races, including:

Incumbent State Representative District 72 Drew Darby is challenged by Stormy Bradley, a school board trustee from Coahoma who lost badly in a run for State Senator District 28 against Charles Perry.  Bradley is backed by PAC money and endorsed by Gov. Abbott and others.  Darby voted against the Governor's school voucher plan which was his signature issue last year.  The Governor has targeted Darby and others for their opposition to his plan.  

• Tom Green County Tax Assessor/Collector:
  • Juan Acevedo
  • Becky Robles (incumbent)
• County Constable, Pct. 4: 
  • Gary Cole
  • Thomas Bigham
• County Commissioner, Pct. 1:
  • Michelle Schniers Derusso
  • Ralph Hoelscher (incumbent)
• Republican Party Chair:
  • Ruth Staton
  • Bruce Burkett (incumbent)

These races play a crucial role in shaping local governance and policies, making it imperative for voters to stay informed about their choices.

Propositions Several propositions are on the ballot, addressing issues ranging from property taxes to border protection and immigration policies. The full list of propositions includes:

• Proposition 1 - Texas should eliminate all property taxes without increasing Texans’ overall tax burden.
• Proposition 2 - Texas should create a Border Protection Unit, and deploy additional state law enforcement and military forces, to seal the border, to use physical force to prevent illegal entry and trafficking, and to deport illegal aliens to Mexico or to their nations of origin.
• Proposition 3 - The Texas Legislature should require the use of E-Verify by all employers in Texas to protect jobs for legal workers by preventing the hiring of illegal aliens.
• Proposition 4 - The Texas Legislature should end all subsidies and public services, including in-state college tuition and enrollment in public schools, for illegal aliens.
• Proposition 5 - Texas urges the United States Congress not to grant any form of amnesty or a pathway to legalization of illegal aliens.
• Proposition 6 - The Texas Legislature should prohibit the deployment of the Texas National Guard to a foreign conflict unless Congress first formally declares war.
• Proposition 7 - The Texas Legislature should establish authority within the Texas State Comptroller’s office to administer access to gold and silver through the Texas Bullion Depository for use as legal tender.
• Proposition 8 - The State of Texas should ensure that Texans are free to give or to withhold consent for any vaccine without coercion.
• Proposition 9 - The Republican Party of Texas should restrict voting in the Republican primary to only registered Republicans.
• Proposition 10 - The Texas Constitution should be amended to restore authority to the Texas Attorney General to prosecute election crimes.
• Proposition 11 - Texas parents and guardians should have the right to select schools, whether public or private, for their children, and the funding should follow the student.
• Proposition 12 - The Texas Constitution should be amended to require proof of citizenship before any individual can be registered to vote.
• Proposition 13 - Texas should ban the sale of Texas land to citizens, governments, and entities from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia.