Changes to the local Election cycle have been made as a result of Texas being declared in a State of Disaster by Governor Greg Abbott.
The proclamation gave authority to political subdivisions to postpone their May 2, 2020 elections to the General Election date on November 3, 2020. These include School Districts, Municipalities and Hospital Districts.
For those entities choosing to postpone their elections, here are some things to consider:
–Postponement does NOT allow reopening for candidate filings for place on the November 3rd ballot.
–November 3rd deadlines related to candidate filings (i.e. financial reports, declarations of ineligibility, withdraws or death) will apply.
–Individuals currently holding public office that are scheduled to be on the ballot will continue to exercise the duties of those offices until the new officers take their oaths of office following the November 3rd Election.
–School Districts and Municipalities will be required to use County Election Precincts.
–Ballot by Mail (ABBMs) requests already filed for those over the age of 65 or due to a disability, will still be valid for the new November 3rd Election date.
–ABBMs based on expected absence from the county will NOT be valid for the postponed election.
–Deadline to submit an ABBM will now be October 23, 2020.
–Voter registration deadline for the postponed election will be October 5, 2020.
–Early Voting will be held October 19-30, 2020.
Below are the changes being made to local Elections in Freestone County:
City Council
City of Streetman has postponed their City Council Election to coincide with the November 3, 2020 General Election.
City of Teague has also postponed their City Council Election to the November 3rd date.
City of Fairfield voted to postpone their City Council Election to November 3rd during a Special Called Meeting on Friday, March 27th.
School Districts
Wortham ISD has postponed their School Board Election to coincide with the November 3, 2020 General Election.
Fairfield ISD Board of Trustees has called a Special Meeting for Monday, April 6, 2020 to discuss and take action on this issue.
Special Election
The Special Election, set for Fairfield Hospital District (FHD) by citizen petition, will proceed as planned on Saturday, May 2, 2020 for now. However, FHD will continue to monitor the ever changing medical and safety issues locally.
Those over 65 or disabled are encouraged to apply for a “voting by mail” ballot. Deadline is April 20, 2020.
Special precautions are being put into place at polling locations to prevent the spread of infection (click here for article).
Early voting will start on April 20, 2020.
Primary Runoffs
Runoff Election in the Republican Primary and Democratic Primary has been moved to July 14, 2020.
On the ballot locally, in the Republican Primary, will be two races in Precinct 3:
–County Commissioner – Pct. 3
This run-off race will be between candidates Lloyd Lane and Ronnie French.
In the Primary Election held March 3rd, Lane received 49.79% of the vote with French receiving 27.48% and a third candidate, Sonoma Adkins, receiving 22.73%.
–Constable – Pct. 3
This run-off race will be between incumbent Pamela Brackens Barnes and candidate Richard McGowan.
In the Primary Election, McGowan received 43.09% with Barnes receiving 32.66% and a third candidate, L. J. McAdams, receiving 24.26%.