The numbers of registered voters casting their ballots early in the November 5 general election have reached record levels in Frio and La Salle counties, according to staff at the election headquarters.
The early voting period opened Monday, October 21, and continues through Friday this week. Local precinct polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day Tuesday.
In Frio County, early voter numbers at the annex building on Pecan Street in Pearsall prompted commissioners to order closure of the county courthouse for election day itself, although the courthouse does not have a polling station. During the first week of early voting, 1,936 voters cast ballots out of a total 9,524 registered in Frio County, representing a 20.3-percent turnout in advance of election day.
In La Salle County, the elections office on Front Street in downtown Cotulla reported this week that 1,034 voters had cast ballots between Oct. 21 and 28, with more than 220 appearing on the first day. The number represents more than 24.5 percent of all 4,208 registered voters in La Salle County for the general election.
La Salle Elections Administrator Mireya Maldonado said early Tuesday that she believes the high turnout is unprecedented for the county and that she believes voters are energized by the ballot, which includes not only the US presidential election but also local races for the offices of sheriff, county commissioner, and tax assessor-collector.
Election results will be published when they are made available.
