The first week of early voting is in the books for the upcoming Nov. 3 joint constitutional amendment election and special election in Port Arthur is dismally low. Through Thursday, 1,253 ballots had been cast countywide.

Low turnout is typical for constitutional amendment elections. Even though people could be voting in favor of increasing their homestead exemption for a potential savings of more than $100 a year off their school tax, people don’t vote on propositions they don’t know much about. But in Port Arthur, a city council position is on the line that could make a big difference in the city ‘s future. Four people are running to finish the term of Position 7, from which Derrick Freeman is resigning to run for mayor. As of Thursday, 305 people voted at the library and another 163 voted at the Subcourthouse.

Voting early is easy. Any voter can vote at any location in the county. Photo identification is required. Don’t let others decide the future for you, cast you ballot in the constitutional amendment election and in the Position 7 race.