Dateline: October 28, 2004

County voters to cast ballots Tuesday

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Donley County residents will go to the polls Tuesday to cast ballots in local races as well as voting for statewide offices and choosing electors for president of the United States.

The General Election will be held November 2, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Early voting by personal appearance continues through Friday, October 29, in the Courthouse Annex.

As of early Monday afternoon, at least 350 people had cast early or mail-in ballots, according to the Donley County Clerk’s office. That number is up from the same point in the 2002 general election, in which 247 people had voted eight days before the election.

According to Deputy County Clerk Kim Layton, there are 2,670 county citizens registered to vote.

On the local level this year, incumbent Democrat Wilma Lindley is facing Republican challenger Vicky Tunnell for the office of County Tax Assessor / Collector. 

Precinct 3 voters will have the opportunity for a rematch as Democratic incumbent Commissioner Henry C. “Buster” Shields is pitted against former commissioner Andy Wheatly, the Republican he unseated four years ago.

Voters in Precincts 3 and 4 have also seen a horserace develop between Democratic incumbent Constable Mike Wallendorff and write-in challenger Tony Sellars.

Also of interest to local voters are the following candidates running unopposed for reelection: Precinct 1 Commissioner Ernest Johnston (D), Donley County Sheriff Charles “Butch” Blackburn, Jr. (D), District Attorney Stuart Messer (R), District Judge David McCoy (D), State Rep. Warren Chisum (R), and State Sen. Robert Duncan (R).

Clarendon native US Rep. Mac Thornberry (R) has no Democratic opponent but does face a challenge from Libertarian M.J. “Smitty” Smith.

Polling places for this year’s General Election are as follows: Box 101 – Clarendon College Bairfield Activity Center, Box 102 – Howardwick City Hall, Box 103 – Martin Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, Box 201 – Donley County Courthouse, Box 301 – Clarendon Community Center - Rodeo Grounds, Box 302 – Cotton Gin - Lelia Lake, Box 303 – Hedley Lions Club, Box 401 – Community Bank, and Box 402 – McClellan House. Check your voter’s registration card to see which precinct box you should vote in.

If a voter has any trouble casting their ballot, they are asked to call the secretary of state’s office at 1-800-252-8683.

Complete results of this year’s local races will be printed in next week’s Enterprise.