Deadline looms to vote in presidential race

Monday, October 7, is the deadline to register to vote in November's general election that includes the presidential race and a race for a U.S. senator from Texas.

The presidential race is between Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump. Incumbent U.S. Senator Ted Cruz is running for another six-year term and facing Democrat Colin Allred, who is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

In Orange County, all local offices have uncontested Republican candidates. However, the Orangefield ISD is having a school board election and the Vidor ISD is having a bond election.

In addition the Emergency Services Districts No. 1 and 3 will be having board members on the ballot. ESD 1 serves the Vidor area and ESD 3 the Little Cypress area to provide fire and rescue.

October 7 is also the deadline to change an address on voter registration rolls. For instance, if a voter had lived in Bridge City and moved to Orangefield without changing their address, they would not be eligible to vote in the Orangefield school board race.

Senior citizens and the disabled have until October 25 to apply for a mail-in ballot. Ballots may be requested by citizens in nursing homes or assisted living centers.

Detailed information on registering or applying for a mail-in ballot is available under the Texas Secretary of State's Office website for elections by clicking on the "Voter" icon.

Locally, the Orange County Elections Administration Office is available for registration and mail-in ballot requests or to provide any information about the upcoming election day. The office is at 206 Border Street to the west of the courthouse with hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Phone questions will be answered by calling 409-882-7973, or by emailing [email protected]. The physical mailing address is 123 Sixth Street in Orange.

Donna Alford is Orange County voting administrator and has 32 years of experience working with elections.

Early voting will begin October 21 and end November 1 with local sites at the Orange Public Library, Orange County Airport, Mauriceville Community Center, and the Raymond Gould Community Center in Vidor.