Published: April 20, 2009 09:44 am      

Early voting commences April 27

Phil Riddle

editor@weatherforddemocrat.com

It seems like the last election was just over and already another is in sight.

Early voting for May 9 elections begins in just a week.

Parker County voters have a variety of positions to fill with their ballots, including four trustee positions at Weatherford College, school board slots in Weatherford, Aledo, Peaster and Springtown, city council representation in Weatherford, Aledo, Hudson Oaks and Reno, and a proposition to boost sales tax in Reno by a quarter of a cent.

While early voting was created to make balloting more convenient, voters typically ignore off-year elections, especially those with no contentious races or controversial proposals being considered.

Generally, local elections are notorious for low voter turnout.

For instance, in the last mayoral election, just over 1,300 votes were cast in Weatherford, which boasts a population of more than 25,000.

Voters in off-term elections may not feel the motivation to cast a ballot in local elections, but County Judge Mark Riley, who has seen elections as a member of the media, as well as a candidate, says local elections are very important.

“There is typically a lower turnout for these elections than for those where we elect a governor or president because there’s not a frenzy caused by the money and publicity of those races,” he said. “In reality, the decisions made by the people we elect in these local races — the college board, city council and area school boards — typically will effect us quicker than those made higher up.”

Riley said voters should weigh their options carefully before voting.

“All of them are facing some serious challenges,” he said. “Not just pocketbook issues, but challenges dealing with the growth of the area.”

A total of seven early voting sites are available in Parker County, including sites in Aledo, Willow Park, Hudson Oaks, Peaster and Springtown, as well as two early polling places in Weatherford.

Ballots may be cast from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at all sites, with hours extended to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 30, and Monday, May 4.

Early voting ends May 5.



BOX

Parker County Early Voting Sites



Main Early Voting Site

Parker County Courthouse Annex

1112 Santa Fe Drive

Weatherford



Branch Early Voting Sites

Weatherford College

Doss Student Center Coyote Room

225 College Park Drive

Weatherford

City of Springtown

102 East 2nd St.

Springtown

Peaster ISD Administration Building

3602 Harwell Lake Road

Peaster

Hudson Oaks City Hall

210 N. Lakeshore Drive

Weatherford

Willow Park Municipal Building

516 Ranch House Road

Willow Park

Aledo Community Center

104 Robinson Court

Aledo



Early Voting Hours

Monday, April 27 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tuesday, April 28 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wednesday, April 29 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Thursday, April 30 — 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday, May 1 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday, May 4 — 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Tuesday, May 5 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.