Menard County voters will encounter 14 propositions on the ballot for amendment to the Texas constitution. But what do they all mean? Learn more here!
By: Paige Wright
Early voting is underway at the Menard County Courthouse this week. Voters in Menard County will vote on a total of 14 propositions for amendments to the Texas state constitution. There are no local elections in Menard County this election cycle.
The 14 propositions cover a wide range of issues from protecting the right to farm and ranch on your own property, to the abolition of the Galveston County Treasurer position. Locally, Prop. 9 has been at the forefront of many Menardians (see “Retired Teachers Share Awareness of Prop. 9,” page 1, October 21, 2023, TMN; Letter to the Editor, page 2, October 5, 2023, TMN; Letter to the Editor, page 2, October 26, 2023).
Local retired teacher groups have spoken about the positive results of passing this proposition, as it would provide an increase in cost-of-living annuities. There has not been an increase like this for the state’s retired teachers in 19 years, despite inflation. The passing of the proposition will not cost taxpayers anything additional, as the state has already set aside these funds.
Early voting started Monday, allowing in-person voting from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. each weekday. Early voting runs through Friday, November 3. Elections Officer Tim Powell has announced that extended early voting hours will be available on Thursday, November 2 and Friday, November 7. On these two days, voters may cast their ballots between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. This schedule meets the state-required guidelines to provide 2 days of 12-hour voting, to accommodate all voters.
On Election Day, Tuesday, November 7, voting hours will be 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. All Menard County voting for this election is to take place at the courthouse, regardless of precinct.
Looking forward to the March primaries of 2024, precinct chair positions for the Menard County Republican Party will be up for election. The filing window to run for precinct chairs is currently open, and ends December 11, 2023, at 6 p.m. To file, contact current County Chair Susan Williamson at susanjwilliamson@ verizon.net. The application to file can also be found on the state party’s website: www. texasGOP.org.filing-information. There is no fee to file to run as a precinct chair.
County chair filing begins November 11 and closes Monday, December 11 at 6 p.m. All county chair candidates, including current county chairs, file with the current county chair. There is no fee to file and run for county chair. Contact current County Chair Susan Williamson at susanjwilliamson@verizon.net to file to run for this position. The party also has a Facebook page titled Menard County Texas Republican Party that provides periodic updates.