Voters hitting the poll early for May 7 election

Early voting is now underway for the May 7 uniform election and turnout for the Bridge City races is off to a quick start.

Early voting began Monday, April 25 and continues through this Friday, April 29. It resumes on Monday, May 2 and concludes on Tuesday, May 3, with varying hours depending on the location.

The City of Bridge City and Bridge City Independent School District are sharing the Bridge City ISD Administration Building, located at 1031 W. Roundbunch Road, for early voting. Hours are 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., through Friday, April 29; and 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday, May 2 and Tuesday, May 3. Election day is Saturday, May 7.

The City of Bridge City has three races on the ballot this spring and voter turnout was very steady with 106 ballots submitted on Monday and 71 ballots submitted on Tuesday for a two-day total of 177 ballots.

Mayor Kirk Roccaforte and Place 2 councilman Mike Reed have reached term limits and cannot seek re-election for those respective positions.

Roccaforte has filed for the Place 2 council position and is being opposed by challenger Carl Harbert.

In Place 4, incumbent Eric Andrus is seeking re-election and is opposed by candidate Phillip Todora Jr., while Place 6 councilman Danny Cole is opposed by former Bridge City councilmembers, Lucy Fields and Kevin Mott, in his bid for re-election.

Current Place 1 councilman David Rutledge has filed for the open position of Mayor and is unopposed.

In the Bridge City Independent School District election, there were 151 ballots submitted on Monday and 116 ballots submitted on Tuesday for a two-day total of 267 ballots.

The races on the ballot include Rebecca Rutledge, the Place 3 incumbent, who is being opposed by Bryan Gremillion, and Place 4 incumbent, Thad Hill, who is opposed by challenger Bryant Champagne. In Place 5, incumbent Jerry McInnis is opposed by candidate Brandy Slaughter.

The City of West Orange, the West Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent School District, and Orange County Water Control and Improvement District No. 2, often referred to as the West Orange Water Department, will share the Orange Public Library, 220 N. Fifth St. in Orange, as an early voting location.

Early voting is from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 27 through Friday, April 29; and Monday, May 2. Extended hours are 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Tuesday, April 26 and Tuesday, May 3.

The City of Orange has only one race on the May ballot. Incumbent Mary McKenna of District 4 is being opposed by former councilmember Annette Pernell. Incumbents Dr. Wayne Guidry, District 2, and Bill Mello, Place 5, are unopposed.

A total of 29 ballots were submitted during Monday's early voting session.

The election for the West Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent School District will feature five candidates seeking three at-large positions on the Board of Trustees.

Incumbent Linda Platt-Bryant is seeking re-election to the Board of Trustees and is being opposed by four candidates, including former WO-C CISD Trustees Ricky Jacobs and Tony Dallas, as well as new candidates Demetrius Hunter and Bonnie Moses. Bryan Thomas Muhammad initially filed for re-election but withdrew following the filing deadline and prior to the withdrawal deadline in late February.

A total of 52 ballots were submitted during early voting on Monday.

The Orange County Water Control and Improvement District No. 2 is having an election for the first time in several years for its Board of Directors. Incumbents Jerry Foreman and Linda Primeaux are seeking re-election and are opposed by new candidate, Grayling Mouton.