Here's what to know about the municipal, school bond elections on May 4
Find your polling location by county, as well as what you'll need to bring to the polls so that you can vote on Saturday, May 4.
Voters across the state of Texas are heading to the polls on May 4 to vote in municipal and school board elections in their cities and communities.
Here's information about where to vote, along with what you'll need to bring to the polls. We're also taking a look at how to vote by mail if you qualify.
The polls are open from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Voters are being asked to decide on a $72 million bond in the West Orange-Cove CISD, a $47.6 million bond in the Deweyville ISD and a $24 million bond in the Evadale ISD. Orange County Emergency Services District One is asking for approval for a 1.5% sales tax and at the lakes the Rayburn Country Municipal Utility District has proposed a $7.62 million bond.
There are also a handful of city and school board races around the region.
On election night all results will be posted at 12NewsNow.com/elections.
Keep reading for everything you need to know to cast your vote on May 4, 2024.
Election Day Information Voter registration, sample ballots and key things to know for May 4
Voting Locations & Sample Ballots
Jefferson County: Voting locations | Sample Ballot
Orange County: Voting locations | Sample Ballot
Hardin County: Voting locations | Sample Ballot
Chambers County: Voting locations | Sample Ballot
Jasper County: Voting locations | Sample Ballot
Newton County: Voting locations | Sample Ballot
Early voting begins Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024 and ends Friday, March 1, 2024.
ELECTION RESULTS: CLICK HERE on May 4 after the polls close at 7 p.m.
Voter Registration
Wondering if you are registered to vote? You can visit the Secretary of State website to find out.
Voting by mail
If you are voting by mail your ballot must be received at the office of your county clerk or elections administrator by May 4, 2024 at 7 p.m.
To be eligible to vote early by mail in Texas, you must:
- be 65 years or older;
- be sick or disabled;
- be out of the county on election day and during the period for early voting by personal appearance; or
- be expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day; or
- be confined in jail, but otherwise eligible.
You will need to obtain an "Application for Ballot by Mail," or ABBM, from your county's website or elections office.
You can print an application, request one be mailed to you and get more instructions here.
Texas law requires that your ABBM include your driver's license number or the last four digits of your social security number. Because the number must match the state's database it's a good idea to include both numbers on your application.
Your ABBM application must be received, not postmarked, by Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
Voter Identification
Make sure you bring one of these accepted forms of identification with you when you go to vote:
- Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- United States Passport (book or card)
- United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
- United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
- Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
If you don't have one of the above IDs and can't reasonably obtain one you have another option at the polls. Fill out a declaration at the polls describing a reasonable impediment to obtaining one of the above IDs and show a copy or original of one of the following supporting forms of ID:
- A government document that shows your name and an address, including your voter registration certificate
- Current utility bill
- Bank statement
- Government check
- Paycheck or
- (a) A certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certificate or
- (b) a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes your identity (which may include a foreign birth document).
Jefferson County Three contested races
In Jefferson County there are three contested races on the ballot.
Jefferson County: Voting locations | Sample Ballot
- Port Arthur ISD Trustee at large (3)
- Julio Delgado
- Taylor Getwood
- Nina Stelly
- Dianna Brown
- Debra Ambroise
- Brandon Bartie
- Jefferson County Appraisal District Board Place 1
- Terry Metreyeon
- Vernon G. Durden
- Jefferson County Appraisal District Board Place 3
- Larry Weston
- Steve Megas
Orange County Six contested races
In Orange County there are six contested races on the ballot including and emergency services district sales tax bond and a school bond in the West Orange Cove Consolidated Independent School District.
Orange County: Voting locations | Sample Ballot
- Orange County ESD#1 Prop A
- The adoption of a local sales and use tax in Orange County Emergency Services District No. 1 at a rate not to exceed one and one-half percent (1.5%) in any location in the district.
- Orange County Drainage District Precinct 2 Director
- Larry E. Ancelot Jr.
- Richard Capaldi
- Orange County Drainage District Precinct 3 Director
- James Scales
- Seth Mize
- Bridge City Mayor
- David Rutledge (I)
- Carl Harbert
- Vidor ISD Board of Trustees Position 2
- Paul Davis
- Matthew Dewitt
- Carrie Vincent
- WO-C CISD Prop A
- The issuance of $72,000,000 bonds for the construction, acquisition, renovation, expansion, improvement and equipment of school buildings in the district including (i) construction of a new 40 north early learning center and (ii) district-wide security and site 41 improvements and the purchase of new school buses; and the levying of a tax to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds and the costs of any related credit agreements. This is a property tax increase.
Hardin County Four contested races
In Hardin County there are four contested races on the ballot.
Hardin County: Voting locations | Sample Ballot
- Kountze City Council Place 2
- Connie Wolcott Winger
- Andrea Lacy Cutwright (I)
- Silsbee City Council At-Large Place 1
- Adelaide Balaban (I)
- Tina Young-Holman
- Sour Lake Mayor
- Kevin Cudd
- Connie Murphy
- Bruce Robinson (I)
- Silsbee ISD School Board Place 5
- Jim de Garavilla
- Cynthia Smith (I)
Chambers County Two contested races
In Chambers County there are two contested races on the ballot.
Chambers County: Voting locations | Sample Ballot
- Anahuac Mayor
- Charles E. Hightower
- Lucas McCrary
- Chambers County Public Hospital District No. 1 Director (3)
- Mike Emmons
- Geraldine Brown
- Leslie Turner
- Annette Abernathy
- Eric Humphrey
- Gilfred Boullion
Jasper County Seven contested races
In Jasper County there are seven contested races on the ballot including a $24 million bond in the Evadale ISD and an emergency services district sales and use tax proposition.
Jasper County: Voting locations | Sample Ballot
- Jasper City Council District 4
- Angel McCroskey
- Steve Adams
- Jasper Council District 5 – At Large
- Rashad Lewis (I)
- Lequin Hilderbrand
- Evadale ISD Prop A
- Shall the Board of Trustees of the Evadale Independent School District be authorized to issue and sell bonds of the District, in one or more series, in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $24,000,000, for the purpose of paying for and financing the construction and equipping of school buildings in the District, for renovating, improving, expanding, upgrading, making additions to, rehabilitating and equipping existing school buildings in the District and for purchasing new school buses, with the school building projects to include in such order of priority as determined by the Board of Trustees of the District, to-wit: expansion of the Elementary School and High School; renovations of the existing Media Center for Middle School classroom space; renovations to the existing Elementary and PE gymnasiums; renovations to the existing band hall; renovations to the existing dining room with a kitchen expansion; construct throughout the District additional safety and security upgrades; and with any remaining surplus funds, if any, to be used for contingency and for the construction of school buildings and for renovation, additions to, improving and equipping of any other existing school buildings, school facilities and any school campus grounds in the District; which bonds may be issued in various series or issues, may be sold at any price or prices, shall mature serially or otherwise and bear interest at such rate or rates (fixed, variable, floating, adjustable or otherwise) as shall be determined by the Board of Trustees of the District within its discretion at the time of issuance, but not to exceed the maximum maturity dates and interest rates now or hereafter authorized by law at the time of issuance; and shall the Board of Trustees be authorized to levy and pledge and cause to be assessed and collected annual ad valorem taxes on all taxable property in the District, sufficient, without limit as to rate or amount, to pay the principal of and interest on said bonds as they become due, all as authorized by the Constitution and the laws of the State of Texas?
- Jasper County ESD #3 Prop A
- The adoption of a local sales and use tax in the Jasper County Emergency Services District #3 at the rate of two percent, excluding any area of the district where a local sales and use tax is already imposed at a rate of two percent.
- Jasper Hospital District Director (5)
- Linda Templeton
- Michael S. Ratcliff
- Dynetro “Dee” Hadnot
- Rodney Isaiah Norsworthy Sr.
- Laura D. Moore
- Nicole Few Colvin
- Kirbyville ISD Board of Trustees At-Large (3)
- Kasey VanPelt-Foster
- Tyler Downs
- Jeoffery Blueitt
- Jasper County Water District No. 1 Board of Directors (2)
- Anthony Michalsky
- Jeremy Page
- James Burt
- Bobby Breithaupt
- Rayburn Country Municipal Utility District Prop A
- The issuance of $7,620,000 of Rayburn Country Municipal Utility District unlimited tax bonds and levying the tax to pay the principal of and interest on said bonds to pay for and finance the construction and equipping of the water production, transportation and treatment facilities of the district.
Newton County Two contested races
In Newton County there are two contested races on the ballot.
Newton County: Voting locations | Sample Ballot
- Newton City Council (3)
- Jamey Spears
- Aron Fowler
- James Bean
- Joni Miller
- John Jefferson
- Deweyville ISD Prop A
- The issuance of $47,665,000 school building bonds for the design, construction, acquisition, and equipment of school buildings in the district (including the rehabilitation, renovation, expansion and improvement thereof), and levying and imposition of taxes sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds and the costs of any credit agreements. This is a property tax increase.