By Edmond Ortiz
Local voters casting a ballot on Election Day, Nov. 3, will be part of a historic election carried out by Bexar County.
According to the Bexar County Elections Department, more than 527,600 voters cast a ballot during the county’s early voting period Oct. 19-30, resulting in a 39.2% turnout. It’s the biggest voter turnout in a midterm election in Bexar County history. That number includes nearly 502,000 voters going to the polls in person.
“Thank you to every voter who made a plan and cast a ballot—and to our dedicated election workers who worked tirelessly throughout early voting,” elections department representatives said in a social media post.
Kendall County recorded 48.7% turnout in the early voting period, while Comal County saw a 42% turnout, and Guadalupe County had a 37% turnout.
Focus on San Antonio published multiple voters’ guide previews to San Antonio-area Congressional, state legislative and county seat elections, as well as school board, bond and property tax proposals, and other local special ballot measures:
- U.S. House of Representatives, Texas Senate and House of Representatives, top matches in Bexar County
- Property tax increase proposals in East Central, Northside, San Antonio, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City and South San independent school districts
- Bond proposals in Comal, Northside and San Antonio ISDs
- San Antonio’s PreK 4 SA reauthorization, dissolution of Hollywood Park’s economic development corporation
- Converse City Council
- Converse’s proposal to end VIA Metropolitan Transit service in town
- Edgewood Independent School District board
- Live Oak City Council vacancy, city charter amendments
- Schertz City Council
- Windcrest City Council
Officials in each county urge voters casting a ballot in person on Nov. 3 to take the time to make sure each of their preferred ballot selections are correct both on the voting machine screen and on their final summary printout.
Voting centers will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Election Day at the following sites in Bexar County, Comal County, Kendall County and Guadalupe County.
Bexar County has an online page that shows real-time wait times at each polling location.
VIA Metropolitan Transit will offer fare-free service to all Bexar County polling locations Nov. 3. Customers must present a valid Bexar County voter registration card upon boarding in order to receive the free fare.
VIA’s complimentary service is available for regular bus service, VIA Link and VIAtrans paratransit service throughout the VIA service area.
On Election Day, Bexar County voters may cast their ballot at any Election Day vote center in the county, not only the one in their home precinct.
The fare-free service is happening as VIA has released its free GO VIA app, which is available for Apple and Droid. Anyone who buys a pass by Nov. 13 can receive a complimentary ride.
Focus on San Antonio will have Election Night coverage with election recap articles.
