Posted 2:36 am Friday, April 13, 2012
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Officials: Some Voters Unaware Of Separate May 12, 29 Ballots
By ADAM RUSSELL
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Rampant voter confusion has prompted state and local officials to emphasize that there separate elections -- one for city and schools, and one for local, state and national office primaries, including sheriff, state senator and U.S. senator -- occurring in May.
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Secretary of State Hope Andrade said emails are circulating voter confusion about what is on May 12 city and school ballots and May 29 primary ballots. Mass emails about state bogus constitutional amendments are misleading voters, she said.
"Texans need the facts when they go to the polls, and the fact is there is no constitutional amendment on the May 12 ballot," she said. "If you receive an email claiming such a proposition is on the ballot, please disregard it and do not forward it to help stop the spread of false information."
Smith County Election Administrator Karen Nelson said voter confusion is rampant. She said recent conversations with voters inquiring about mail ballots revealed they were unaware two elections were occurring in May.
"I don't know what we could do at this point," she said. "We will probably try to reach out to voters through the media just before the May 12 election."
Mrs. Nelson said there will be fewer items, such as one city council race, a Tyler Junior College bond proposal and other school trustee positions outside of Tyler on May 12 ballots. Early voting for those races begins April 30.
On May 14, early voting will begin for the local, state and national primary races for offices such as sheriff, county commissioners, state representatives, U.S. representative and senator and the Republican nominee for president. The primary election date is May 29. It is typically held in early March, but the date was delayed because the state's redistricting maps were challenged.
