By Edmond Ortiz
Many San Antonio-area voters who go to the polls on Nov. 4 will mull a $495 million bond in one school district, and proposed property tax hikes in four other school districts.
What you should know
Election Day polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. when voters will consider the North East Independent School District’s multi-proposal bond.
NEISD officials said an approved bond will support only a range of renovation projects at existing campuses districtwide, and that no property taxes will be affected.
Boerne, East Central, Judson and Schertz-Cibolo-Universal independent school districts are seeking voter authorization of property tax increases mainly as a means of supporting faculty and staff pay raises, and maintaining student academic programs.
SCUCISD is also having a school board election affecting three positions.
Additionally, voters in this election cycle are considering proposed amendments to the state constitution, and in Bexar County, voters are mulling funding proposals for a potential new San Antonio Spurs arena at Hemisfair, and for a proposed year-round rodeo and stock show district on the East Side.
Approximately, 143,499 registered Bexar County voters took part in early voting between Oct. 20 and Oct. 31, representing 11% of the county’s voter roll.
Guadalupe County recorded 11,338 voters taking advantage of early voting, representing 10% of the county’s voter roll.
Kendall County officials said 4,983 voters, or 12% of county voters, participated in early voting.
What’s next
Election Day voting will be available from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at the following Bexar County polling sites, Guadalupe County locations and Kendall County spots.
VIA Metropolitan Transit is offering fare-free service on Election Day to anyone wishing to cast a ballot at a polling place.
According to a press release, the free fares are available for regular bus service, VIA Link and VIAtrans paratransit service throughout the VIA service area.
All a customer must do is present a valid Bexar County voter registration card to the VIA operator upon boarding in order to get a free fare.
VIA officials said the aim here is to foster civic engagement and participation among VIA customers, and to provide transportation for voters who may not otherwise be able to reach and leave their polling locations.
