Early voting ends Friday
Interest in presidential races sends 1,606 to the polls by Feb. 25

Early voting turnout is moderately strong in Cherokee County as the excitement builds for the March 4 primary election.

Capturing voters' attention is Texas' importance in the delegate race, which will ultimately decide the nominees for the Republican and Democratic parties.

Early voting continues through Friday. Ballots may be cast from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. through Feb. 29 at the Cherokee County Clerk's office, the Senior Citizens Center in Jacksonville and A. Frank Smith United Methodist Church in Alto.

By 5 p.m. Monday vote tally in the county showed 813 ballots cast in the Democratic primary and 793 in the Republican primary.

Early voting subtotals were not available for the three polling sites.

Prior to two years ago most county residents voted in the Democratic primary elections. In 2006 the Republican total was more than Democrats and this year the totals are almost even.

City, school elections

Candidates are filing for places on the May 10 city and school elections. City candidates will file at city hall and school board candidates at the school administration building. Filing deadline is March 10. Rusk voters will be asked to consider charter amendment at the city election.

Those filing include incumbents Rusk city councilmen Don Jones, District 3; Donald Woodard, District 4; and Sam Florian, District 5.

Filing for two places on the Rusk school board are incumbents Frances Long and Dr. Anthony Holcomb and challenger Oliver Sturns.

At Alto two persons have filed for two seats on the school board and no one has filed for the mayor and two council positions.

Candidates for school board are incumbent Freddie Johnson and Marvin Whitfield.

Candidates are filing for two places on the Jacksonville city council and the Jacksonville school board.

Candidates for city council are incumbent Jeff Smith, District 2; and incumbent Phyllis Wilburn and challengers Rob Beall and James Hugghins, District 4.

Candidates for the two places on the Jacksonville school board are incumbent James Houser and Ken Smith, Place 4 and incumbent Jimmy Brown, place 3.

One person, Roy White, has filed as a candidate for the Wells city council. Voters will be asked to fill the mayor position and two full term and one unexpired council position.

Three incumbents are seeking election to the Wells school board. They are T. Wayne Montes and Donnie Carver, three year terms and Jason Hopper, a one year unexpired term.

No one has filed for the mayor and two council seats at Reklaw. There are no candidates for two seats on the New Summerfield city council and two places on the New Summerfield school board.