The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

For The Record

Early voting began Monday and will continue through May 2 for city council and school district elections in Orange County.

Several of the entities will not have May 6 elections, though, because a number of races drew no opposition.

The cities of Pinehurst and West Orange drew no contested races.

Voters in the City of Orange and West Orange-Cove CISD elections cast their early votes at the Orange Public Library, 220 N. 5^th St., from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except Tuesday May 2, when the polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

On May 6, polls are open in four locations from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for Orange city council and WOCCISD.

City council voters from District 1 vote at Salvation Army Building, 1950 MLK Drive. District 2 votes at Little Cypress Intermediate School, 2300 Allie Payne Road; District 3 at North Early Learning Center, 801 Cordrey Ave.; and District 4 voters are at West Orange-Stark Middle School, 1402 W. Green Ave.

The city has one at-large race, for Place 6, where incumbent Larry Spears, Jr., is challenged by Veronica Woodle and Mary Ekene.

Former mayor and longtime council woman Essie Bellfield is the incumbent in District 3, where she faces opposition from Terrie Salter and Michael Smith.

In the WOCCISD race, four candidates -- incumbent Ruth Hancock and challengers Tricia Stroud, Kianna Edwards-Brooks and Tommy Wilson, Sr. -- are battling for two at-large berths.

In the WOCCISD election May 6, voters from Precincts 1 and 2 cast their ballots at WOS Middle School; those from Precincts 3, 4 and 5 vote at North ELC; voters from Precincts 8, 13, 14 and 15 go the polls at the Salvation Army; and Precinct 11, 12 and 24 vote at West Orange City Hall, 2700 Western Ave.

Both the City of Bridge City and the Bridge City ISD voting will take place only at the Bridge City ISD Administration Building, 1031 W. Roundbunch Road.

Through Friday, April 28, early voting hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Early voting hours May 1-2 are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 6.

The City of Bridge City has one contested race between two candidates each making their second run for council.

Carl Harbert and Phillip Todora are seeking the Place 1 seat formerly held by Kevin Mott.

Incumbents Tammi Fisette, Place 3; and Terri Gauthier, Place 5; are running unopposed.

Bridge City ISD has one contested race: incumbent Michael Johnson against Michael McGee for Place 6.

Incumbent Mark Anderson is unopposed for Place 7.

The Little Cypress-Mauriceville Consolidated ISD board has one contested race: Barry Bates and Kevin Abernathy are running for Place 2. Randy McIlwain in Place 1 and Marlene Courmier in Place 3 are unopposed.

Early voting continues through May 1 at the hours of 8:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on May 2 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Early voting locations are LCM Education Center, 6579 FM 1130; Orange Public Library, 220 N. 5^th St.; Mauriceville Fire Department, 10691 Texas 62 North.

Voting on May 6 is from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at LCM Intermediate School, 2300 Allie Payne Road; and Mauriceville Middle School, 19952 FM 1130.

Orangefield ISD elects its board members in November of even-numbered years.