We’ve all heard the election results by now. But what do you know about the rest of the election? I found it interesting to look at some statistics and expenses. Thirty percent of all registered voters in Blanco County voted in the May 29th Primary Elections. Seventy percent of Blanco County registered voters did not vote! The chart above gives specific information about each voting precinct.

The Primary Run-Off election will take place on July 31st. According to the Secretary of State’s Office, Registered voters who voted in the Primary can vote in the same Party Run-Off election. If a registered voter did not vote in the Primary, they may vote in either party’s Run-Off election. Eligible Texans who are not registered to vote must register by July 2, 2012 to vote in the July 31st Run-Off election. The runoff affecting Blanco County residents is the race for District Attorney. It is very important for voters not to become complacent and allow Burnet County and Llano County, with larger populations, to determine who will be our next District Attorney. If you voted in the primary, please vote again. If you or your family members did not vote, I encourage you to take yourself and your family to vote on July 31st or during early voting. Also, there is a runoff in both parties for the U.S. Senate race to replace outgoing Senator Kay Bailey Hutcheson to represent Texas for the next six years. The Republicans will vote for either Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst or Ted Cruz; Democrats will choose between Paul Sadler and Grady Yarbrough.

Elections are expensive. The Republican Primary costs included: $4,861 for ballots, and $1,467 for election workers. The Democratic Primary costs included: $2,459.00 for ballots and $1, 271 for election workers. All election workers make only $8.00 an hour for a 14 hour day. This primary election, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party held a “joint” election which means we shared facilities. It worked well. The election judges and workers worked well together, and in one instance the electronic poll book (which lists all registered voters) malfunctioned, and one machine was shared by both parties to print out voter signature stickers. For the upcoming runoff election, it will be a joint election and precincts will be consolidated in Blanco and Johnson City because voter turnout is usually lower and money can be saved.

Barbara Hudson, the Democratic chairperson, and I want to express our appreciation to all of the Primary Election poll workers. We also want to thank Blanco Masonic Lodge, Old Blanco County Courthouse Preservation Society, Pedernales Electric Coop, and the Blanco Courthouse Annex for the use of their facilities as polling locations. Primary Elections are run by the Republican & Democratic Parties. Without the leadership and assistance of Karen Newman, Blanco County Clerk, and her workers, Laura Walla and Marilyn Mikes, Barbara & I would be lost.