Early voting begins today for the March 6 primary election with a number of local contested races.

The Jefferson County Precinct 8 justice of the peace race shows Democratic imcumbent Tom Gilliam III garnered three primary challengers; Antoine Leonard Freeman, Joseph Guillory II and Melanie Ned.

There is no Republican challenger in this race.

The retirement of Judge Donald Floyd from the 172^nd district court led to three Democratic candidates and one Republican candidate.

Democratic challengers include Kent Johns, Tina Bradley and Melody Chappell.

The only Republican on the ticket is Mitch Templeton.

Early voting is from Feb. 20 through March 2.

Early voting locations:

• Beaumont Courthouse-main location, 1085 Pearl St., Beaumont
• Port Arthur Sub-Courthouse, 525 Lakeshore Drive, Port Arthur
• Rogers Park Recreation Center, 6540 Gladys Ave., Beaumont
• Port Arthur YMCA, 6760 Ninth Ave., Port Arthur (location change)
• Theodore Johns Library, 4255 Fannett Road, Beaumont
• John Paul Davis Community Center, 35809 E. Lucas, Beaumont
• Marion and Ed Hughes Public Library, 2712 Nederland Ave., Nederland
• Groves Recreation Center, 6150 39^th St., Groves
• Effie and Wilton Hebert Library, 2025 Merriman St., Port Neches

Dates and hours for the above locations

• Feb. 20 through Feb. 23 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Feb. 24 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Feb. 25 — noon to 5 p.m.
• Feb. 26 through March 2 — 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In addition, early voting will be held at the Precinct One Service Center, 20205 W. Texas 90, China and Jefferson County Justice of the Peace Pct. 4 building (Judge Chesson’s courtroom), 19217 FM 355, Beaumont.

The hours include: Feb. 25 – noon to 5 p.m. and Feb. 26 through March 2, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.