Staff report

More than 4,000 voters have cast ballots in the Democratic primary runoff election and more can be expected Tuesday on Election Day.

“I think there’s going to be a good turnout but I don’t have an exact projected number,” Democratic Party Chairman Cade Bernsen said. “There are some heated races and a lot of interest and people are fired up to get this primary season over so we can move forward strong for fall.”

Bernsen said he is pleased with the higher-than-normal early voting numbers, calling them strong and robust.

“And you are seeing a lot of excited Democrats and independent-minded voters excited about the upcoming election all across the country, Texas and Southeast Texas,” he said.

No Republicans are on the Mid County or Greater Port Arthur ballots.

Here’s a look at the local ballot:

• District Judge, 172^nd Judicial Court: Attorneys Melody Chappell and Tina Bradley are going head to head for a judgeship on the 17nd District Court, which handles civil cases.

Chappell, who works for the Wells, Peyton, Greenberg & Hunt law firm, has 25 years of experience.

Bradley of Hobson & Bradley has 20 years of experience.

Chappell took 43.66 percent of the votes in the March 6 primary while Bradley garnered 35.86 percent of the votes.

• Justice of the Peace Pct. 8 — Incumbent Tom Gillam III is facing challenger Joseph L. Guillory II.

Gillam was shy of the 51 percent needed to win the seat outright during the primary election. There was no Republican candidate so whoever wins the runoff wins the seat.

Also on the Democratic runoff ballot are candidates for governor, Andrew White and Lupe Valdez.

The Democratic primary runoff election will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at locations across the county.

Voters who cast ballots in the March 6 Republican Primary Election are ineligible to vote in the May 22 Democratic Primary Runoff Election, according to the county clerk’s office.

 

Mid and south county voting locations include:

• Hebert Library, 2025 Merriman St., Port Neches
• Central Gardens Fire Station, 2026 Spurlock Road, Nederland
• Groves Public Library, 5600 W. Washington, Groves
• Nederland City Hal, 207 N. 12^th St., Nederland
• Jerry Ware Airport terminal, 5000 Jerry Ware Drive, Beaumont
• Marion and Ed Hughes Public Library, 2712 Nederland Ave., Nederland
• Port Neches City Hall, 1005 Merriman, Port Neches
• Groves Activity Building, 6150 39^th St., Groves
• DeQueen Elementary, 740 DeQueen Blvd., Port Arthur
• Jefferson County Sub-courthouse, 525 Lakeshore Drive, Port Arthur
• Memorial Ninth Grade Academy, 2441 61^st St., Port Arthur
• O.W. Collins Retirement Center, 4440 Gulfway Drive, Port Arthur
• Port Arthur YMCA, 6760 Ninth Ave., Port Arthur
• Port Arthur Recreation Center, 1308 Ninth Ave., Port Arthur
• R.L. Gabby Eldridge Center, 5262 S. Gulfway Drive, Sabine Pass
• Travis Elementary, 1115 Lakeview Ave., Port Arthur
• Sam Houston Elementary, 3245 36^th St., Port Arthur