April 4 last day to register to vote in May 4 elections

Citizens across Cherokee County interested in voting in their upcoming city and school board elections in May have until Thursday, April 4 to get registered to do so.

Anyone needing to register to vote can visit the Texas Secretary of State’s website, www.votetexas.gov or stop by the Cherokee County Elections Department, 138 W. Fifth St., in Rusk.

General elections for the cities of Rusk, Wells and Alto, and Jacksonville and Rusk school districts will be held Saturday, May 4. Early voting will be held Monday, April 22 through Tuesday, April 30, at various venues located within the areas holding each election.

Rusk residents are the only ones in Cherokee County who get to vote in both city and school district elections on May 4.

“I understand some citizens may have questions on how to vote through the mail this year,” Rusk City Secretary Rosalyn Brown said. “I invite anyone with questions on that issue or any other questions about how to vote in this year’s general election to call me or Pam at City Hall, (903) 683-2213, to the correct and most up-to-date information available.”

Vying for the Rusk mayor’s seat are incumbent Angela Raiborn, Connie Parsons and Jefferson Jackson. Running for Rusk City Council District 1 are incumbent Ben Middlebrooks and Trey Todd. Incumbent Walter Sessions filed to retain his seat as Rusk City Council District 2 councilman and has no opposition.

Residents of Rusk’s Districts 4 and 5 will also get to participate in this year’s election, despite their councilmen having only served one year of their two-year terms.

Both District 4 Councilman Ken Ferrara and District 5 Councilman Jan Pate are each the subject of a recall election after a committee of Rusk citizens circulated petitions in November to collect signatures or residents who supported a recall. More than 700 Rusk residents signed each petition.

“While the petition was allowed to be circulated throughout the city, only registered voters residing within districts 4 and 5 will be able to vote on the recall of their councilman,” City Attorney Anthony King explained in an earlier interview.

Early voting will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 22-26; and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., April 29-30, at the Rusk Municipal Courtroom, behind the fire department, 502 S. Main St., Rusk.

Rusk ISD has four people seeking three at-large seats.

Incumbents Jeff Johnson, Tracy Session and Jake Ocker are all running for another term on the Rusk school board, along with newcomer James Sanchez.

Early voting in the RISD election will be held 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, April 22-30, at the administration office, 203 E. Seventh St., Rusk.

General elections for both the city and school district will be held 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at the RISD Administration office, 203 E. Seventh St., Rusk.

Alto ISD’s May election include three candidates -- incumbent Jay Jones, Jeremey Jackson and Charley Reid -- each seeking one of two seats on the AISD school board. AISD’s early voting will be held 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, April 22-30, at the AISD Administration office, 244 CR 2429, Alto.

Voting for the general election on Saturday, May 4, will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., also at the administration office.

Jacksonville ISD incumbent Jeff Horton is re-seeking his seat for Place 1.

District citizens Matthew Leinback and Meredith Tarrant have filed for Place 2. Early voting will be held 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, April 22-30, at the JISD Administration office, 800 College Ave., Jacksonville. JISD’s general election on Saturday, May 4, will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., also at the administration office.

Officials with the city of Wells said Monday the city may get to cancel its election.

“We’re waiting on information from the state right now, but it’s looking like we won’t have to hold an election,” Wells City Secretary Melonie Williamson said.

Due to having no opposition for any seat up for re-election, the cities of Jacksonville, Troup, New Summerfield, Reklaw and Alto, as well as the Troup, Wells and New Summerfield school districts, all got to cancel their May elections.