Primary voting now under way

Texans' turn to make their voices heard in the election primaries arrived yesterday with the start of early voting.

Early voting runs from Feb. 10 to 29 in El Campo at the Fire and EMS Building (220 Merchant using the Hillje entrance) and at the Wharton Civic Center at 1924 N. Fulton.

County residents can vote early at either of the county locations.

Regular voting hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Extended weekday voting hours will be the last two days of early voting, Feb. 28-29 and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

There will also be two days of weekend voting, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 23 and 24. Saturday voting will be from 9 a.m. to noon with the Sunday voting from noon to 3 p.m.

Each of the local primaries will have contested races for their respective party's nomination for district attorney. The Democratic Party candidates are Wharton attorneys John C. Maher Jr. and John Roades. The Republican DA race has incumbent Josh McCown being challenged by El Campo Attorney Dawn Allison.