“This is something we prepared for after the heavy voter turnout in the primary,” County Clerk Shelley Coston said. “We have ordered more than 130,000 ballots.”
That many ballots would serve more than 80 percent of registered voters.
“We don’t think we are going to miss the mark,” Ms. Coston said. “If we do, we have the ability to print ballots here, if necessary.”
Election Day is finally here and local residents have one last chance to be part of the political process as polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. today.
Among the questions that will be answered today is will the new District 55 state representative be Republican Ralph Sheffield, Democrat Sam Murphey or one of two separate challengers in a special election to fill the rest of the term or the general election.
Another question is will there be any changes in the composition of Bell County Commissioners Court?
Democrats Gil Hollie and Phillip Anelli oppose Republican incumbents Eddy Lange, Precinct 3, and Richard Cortese, Precinct 1.
Voters should be aware that wearing buttons or shirts of a favorite candidate is not allowed at any polling location because it is considered electioneering.
During the early voting period, officials asked some voters unaware of the law to put jackets on, Ms. Coston said.
In all 61,718 votes were cast during early voting. There are 162,302 registered voters in Bell County.
On Monday, county elections officials began tabulating the early voting totals, which will be released at 7 p.m. today.
In addition, a ballot board spent Monday verifying signatures on mail-in ballots.
Although crowds are expected at the different precincts, officials say there is no good way to determine how long a person may have to wait to vote. It depends on the precinct and volume of voters.
“If you are in line before 7 p.m., you will be allowed to vote,” Ms. Coston said.
