Early Voting In The Woodlands: Where To Cast Your Ballot

THE WOODLANDS, TX — To call this midterm election period an active one is an understatement. In Harris County alone, more than 40,000 residents cast ballots on Monday, and there's still a long way to go. The polls opened at 8 a.m. all over Texas, and many voters have their eyes on the contentious senate race between Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Houston and El Paso Democratic Congressman Beto O’Rourke.

While national politics takes center stage, there are a number of local races in The Woodlands and Montgomery County that have the attention of local voters. Among those are the races for The Woodlands Township Board of Directors.

Chairman Gordy Bunch is running unopposed in Position 1 on the board of directors, while for Position 2 incumbent Brian Boniface is challenged by Treva Taglieri. In Position 4, challenger Frank Dargavage is running against incumbent Bruce Rieser.

Other key elections include the race for Montgomery County Judge, which pits Republican Mark Keough against Democrat Jay Stittleburg. Keough, a former state representative, defeated County Judge Craig Doyal in the Republican Primary, and is favored to win in the staunchly Republican county.

Commissioner Charlie Riley, a Republican, faces Democrat Ron Keichline in the race for Montgomery County Precinct 2 Commissioner.

Also on the ballot, U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, a Republican, is running against Tomball Democrat Steven David and Libertarian Chris Duncan.

The well-publicized Proposition B is also on the ballot in Montgomery County. Proposition B, if passed, will give Houston firefighters pay parity with the Houston Police Department.

Proposition B has drawn sharp criticism from Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Houston Police Officers Union. The Houston Professional Firefighters Association has proposed a 25 percent increase the first year, and raises that are equal to police in subsequent years.

Prop B has strong support from firefighting organizations in Dallas, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, all of whom sent letters of support to Turner expressing their support of their fellow firefighters.

However, Turner says if Prop B passes it would cost the city $98 million per year, and with the passage of a revenue cap by voters in 2004, the city would be unable to raise taxes to pay the salaries and some firefighters could face layoffs, according to Turner.

Outside of these well publicized elections, there’s a lot more happening with school board elections, resolutions and city elections in other Montgomery County communities, and more.

You can check out the ballot in Montgomery County by clicking the link and see who’s running and what’s on your local ballot.

To help ease the process at least a little bit, the following is a list of early voting sites in your area. Bear in mind that during early voting and on Election Day, you can vote at any polling location where you see a "Vote Here" ("Vote Aqui" in Spanish) sign.
Early voting locations are open:

• Oct. 22-26, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Oct. 27, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Oct. 28, noon - 5 p.m.
• Oct. 29- Nov. 2, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Check your voter registration status and find the list of districts and local entities you are eligible to vote in Montgomery County by clicking the elections link.

Finally, voters should remember to bring a valid form or identification when they come to the polls during early voting or on election day. Acceptable forms of identification include identification with a photograph, such as:

• A valid drivers license
• A US Passport
• A concealed handgun license
• A Military identification card
• A US Citizens certificate with photograph

However, if you don’t have any of these, the voter mus fill out a declaration at the polls describing a reasonable impediment to obtaining it, and show a copy or original of one of the following supporting forms of ID:

• A government document that shows your name and an address, including your voter registration certificate
• Current utility bill
• Bank statement
• Government check
• Paycheck
• (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 which establishes your identity (which may include a foreign birth document)

Image: Shutterstock

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