Early voting is underway
Ballots include bond packages for new schools in Jacksonville, Alto, tax status change in Rusk

Early voting is underway in Cherokee County through Nov. 2 for the Nov. 6 constitutional amendment election.

Persons wishing to vote early may do so from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Cherokee County Clerk's office in the courthouse in Rusk; A. Frank Smith United Methodist Church in Alto; and the Senior Citizens Center across from Discount Center in Jacksonville. Those wishing to vote are asked to bring their voter registration or a driver's license for identification.

In Jacksonville, a temporary early voting site will be established 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30 at the Jacksonville Middle School gymnasium, 1541 Pine St. The voting site coincides with the JISD Fall Fest.

Persons interested in voting early by mail should send a letter to Laverne Lusk, Cherokee County Clerk, P.O. Box 420, Rusk. Applications must be received no later than Oct. 30.

Voters will be asked to consider 16 Texas Constitutional amendments. The amendments range from issuance of bonds for various projects to clarify home equity loans proceeds and denial of jail bond.

Local issues on ballot

Also voters will be asked to approve a Rusk sales tax economic development corporation change and bond elections for Alto ISD and Jacksonville ISD.

Persons living in the city limits of Rusk will be asked to approve a switch from a 4A Economic Development Corporation to a 4B Economic Development Corporation. If the ballot proposition is not approved to switch, the 4A corporation will remain in effect.

The election is being called because a 4B corporation can spend the half-cent sales tax for a larger variety of economic development projects.

With voter approval the half-cent sales tax can be used for retail business incentives, sports and athletic facilities, entertainment, tourist and convention facilities, public parks and related open space improvement, affordable housing, water supply and conservation programs.

Projects for 4A corporation expenditures that can be used for 4B projects include manufacturing and industrial facilities, research and development facilities, recycling facilities, distribution centers, small warehouse facilities and distribution centers, military facilities, primary job training facilities, corporate headquarter facilities, job training classes, career centers, telephone call centers and business infrastructure.

The Alto ISD election seeks approval of the issuance of $6.3 million school building bonds for construction, acquisition and equipment of a school building in AISD.

The Jacksonville ISD election seeks approval of issuance of school bonds for the construction of a $19 million elementary school.

Officials say the average age of JISD elementary campuses is more than 51 years of age.