Voter turnout extremely low in first week
By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com

Fewer than 100 people in Wharton County had turned out and cast their ballot in the Nov. 6 Constitutional Amendment election through the first four days of voting.

Through Thursday, a total of 27 votes had been cast in Wharton, 26 in El Campo, 15 in Louise and 13 in East Bernard, according to Wharton County Elections Administrator Judy Owens.

Early voting runs weekdays through Nov. 2 at the Wharton County Annex, the El Campo EMS building (Hillje Street entrance) and the Louise ISD Board Room.

Voting times are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Wharton and El Campo and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Louise.

The early voting location in East Bernard was only open through yesterday.

"We were expecting a low turnout, but not this low," Owens said. "One of the problems I've heard is some people are intimidated by the wording of the propositions and need the state to do a better job of explaining what they are actually voting on this year. The AARP has put out a guide that some people have found helpful."

While expected to help boost the turnout, a special election in the Boling Independent School District to fill a vacant board position and a tax rate election the Louise Independent School District have only had a minimal impact on the voting numbers.

Through Thursday, a total of 19 votes had been cast in the Louise election and 11 in the Boling election.

"In Louise, I think the low early turnout is due in part to the administration building is only open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.," Owens said. "A lot of people there work in El Campo or Wharton and leave home before the polling location opens and get home after it closes. I guess word hasn't reached them they can vote in the election at any of the polling places."

While the L.I.S.D. residents are voting on the district's tax rate, the Boling election features two candidates, Jerry Svatek and Shawn Chilek, vying to fill vacancy created by the resignation of former Trustee Bill Ford.