Dateline: October 23, 2008

Early voting underway thru Oct. 31

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Early voting by personal appearance got underway Monday for the 2008 General Election.

Most local races are unopposed, but Donley County voters in two precincts will decide contested races for the office of county commissioner.

In Precinct 1, incumbent Ernest Johnston (D) is being challenged by Clarendon Mayor Mark White (R); and Precinct 3 incumbent Commissioner Andy Wheatly (R) is being opposed by Henry Stephens (D).

Two incumbent county officers – Sheriff Butch Blackburn (D) and Precinct 1&2 Justice of the Peace Connie Havens (D) – are running unopposed.

Linda Crump (R) is unchallenged in her bid to become the next County Tax Assessor/Collector. Incumbent Wilma Lindley is retiring at the end of her current term.

County Attorney Landon Lambert has filed as a write-in candidate to keep his current post and is the only declared candidate for that office.

Another race of local interest is that of US Rep. Mac Thornberry (R) of Clarendon challenged by Roger Waun (D) for the 13th Congressional District seat.

State Rep. Warren Chisum (R), District Judge Stuart Messer (R), and District Attorney Luke Inman (D) are all running unopposed for their offices.

Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade is urging voters to get out and cast their ballots early.

“I encourage voters to take advantage of the convenience afforded by the early voting period,” said Andrade. “By voting early you can avoid the long lines we expect to see on Election Day.”

Andrade also reminds voters to bring their voter registration certificate with them to the polls to expedite the voter check-in process; however, if their registration certificate is unavailable, the voter will still be allowed to vote with a valid I.D.

Early voting continues in the Donley County Clerk’s office inside the Courthouse Annex through Friday, October 31.