Election Night Returns

By the close of early voting Thursday, Upshur County Clerk Peggy LaGrone’s prediction had come true.

She had predicted that more than 7,000 would vote early in the county.

By 7 p.m. Thursday, the total had reached 7,014. Of those, 6,507 had voted early in person and 507 mail-in ballots had been returned.

Early voting polling places were open until 7 p.m. Friday, well after The Mirror’s press deadline for this issue, so the total will probably be well above the 7,000 mark.

Ms. LaGrone is expecting a record turnout on election day, too.

This trend has been duplicated throughout Texas and other states which allow early voting.

She said there are about 26,000 registered voters in the county.

“It’s a tremendous turnout,” Ms. LaGrone said.

“Every morning when we open up, there is a line of people waiting,” she said.

She said that on Sunday afternoon, when the courthouse was open for early voting, “during the first two hours we voted one a minute.”

In addition to the presidential race, there are several local races, including the Sheriff’s race, Tax Collector-Assessor’s race, Pct. 1 and Pct. 3 Commissioner’s races and several constable races creating a lot of interest in the county.

In the Sheriff’s race, incumbent Democrat Anthony Betterton is being challenged by Republican Greg Mandreger.

Incumbent Tax Assessor-Collector Mike Smith, a Democrat, is challenged by Republican Vance Lowry.

Incumbent Republican Pct. 1 Comm. James Crittenden faces Democrat Curtis Hollis. Incumbent Republican Pct. 3 Comm. Lloyd Crabtree is challenged by Democrat James Childress.

In a special race for Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace, Democrat Michele Griffith faces Republican Wyone Manes.

In constable races, in Pct. 3 incumbent Republican Jerry Kuhn faces Democrat Bill Hardwick. In Pct. 4, an open seat, Democrat Chris McCauley faces Republican Phillip Hill.

Also, voters in Upshur County will decide the fate of the Unit Road System, which centralizes under a road engineer or administrator road and bridge work in the county.

If you are in favor of keeping the system, vote AGAINST the proposition on the ballot. If you are in favor of abolishing it and return to having each of the four commissioners over road and bridge work, vote FOR the proposition.

At New Diana ISD, Union Hill ISD and Union Grove ISD, school board elections will also be held, under a new state law which places school elections in districts tied to unincorporated communities to the November General Election.

Ms. LaGrone has released a list of voting sites for Nov. 4.

On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4, all polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Anyone in line at 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote. Look for “Vote Here” signs at all locations.

Voting precincts include:

• Pct. 1, Southeast Gilmer, Rock Building at East Butler and U.S. 271.

• Pct. 2, West Mountain, Piedmont Church of Christ, U.S. 271 South.

• Pct. 3, Union Grove, Union Grove ISD, OSC Building, off U.S. 271 South.

• Pct. 4, East Mountain, East Mountain Community Center, 103 Municipal Dr., off FM 1845.

• Pct. 5, Glenwood, Glenwood Water Supply, FM 726 just east of FM 3358.

• Pct. 6, South Diana, New Diana ISD Auditorium, Hwy. 154 East.

• Pct. 7, Northeast Gilmer, First Assembly of God Church, U.S. 271 North (across from Brookshire’s).

• Pct. 8, North Diana, Walnut Creek Baptist Church, Sego Lily Road.

• Pct. 9, Ore City, City Hall, Main Street (FM 450).

• Pct. 10, Lafayette, Pct. 2 County Barn, Hwy. 155 North of Gilmer.

• Pct. 11, Ewell, Union Ridge Community Center, FM 593 East of U.S. 271.

• Pct. 12, Big Sandy, Big Sandy ISD, New Gymnasium.

• Pct. 13, Pritchett, Pritchett Community Center, FM 1404 South of Hwy. 155.

• Pct. 14, Rocky, Gladewater Former Students Building, Hendrix Street (behind Rodeo Grounds).

• Pct. 15, Northwest Gilmer, Upshur County Library, 702 W. Tyler St. (Hwy. 154 W.), Gilmer.

• Pct. 16, Union Hill, Union Hill ISD Ag Building, FM 2088 west of U.S. 271 N.

• Pct. 17, Simpsonville, Simpsonville Fire Station, FM 556 west of FM 2088.

• Pct. 18, Grice, Antioch Baptist Church, Giraffe Rd. off FM 852.

• Pct. 19, Rosewood, Rosewood Baptist Church, Mimosa Rd. just south of Hwy. 154 West.

• Pct. 20, Latch, Latch Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 182 Box Oak Road.

If you have question about which voting precinct you live in, call the Upshur County Clerk’s Office at 903-843-4015.