Stephens County sets local record for in-person first-day voting; early voting continues this week
According to current and past data, Stephens County set a local record last week for the number of in-person ballots cast on the first day of early voting in an election.
On Monday, Oct. 21, 462 people went to the Stephens County Courthouse to cast their votes, according to the information posted on the Texas Secretary of State’s website. That beats the record set in the 2020 General Election of 396 in-person votes cast on the first day of early voting. In 2020, then-Elections Administrator Christie Latham said the 2020 election broke the previous record of 319 votes, which was set during early voting for the 2018 General Election.
However, in 2020, there had been more mail-in votes received by the first day of early voting — 143 — for a total of 539 total ballots received. This year, only 68 ballots had been received by mail on Oct. 21, for a total of 530 early votes.
So far, through Sunday, Oct. 27, there have been a total of 2,091 ballots cast — 2,000 in-person and 91 by mail — for 35.56% of the 5,881 registered voters in Stephens County. There are still five days of early voting left this year, including today, Monday, Oct. 28. Election Day will be on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
By the end of early voting in 2020, 3,002 early votes had been cast for 52.93% of the registered voters. That year, there were 14 days of early voting. This year, there are 12 days designated for early voting.
2024 Polling locations and times
Early voting in the 2024 General Election continues this week with the polls being open at the Stephens County Courthouse from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, Oct. 28-Nov. 1.
On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters will cast their ballots at their respective precinct location, depending on where they live.
- Precinct 1 Location: First National Bank-Tower Room, 101 E. Walker St.
- Precinct 2 Location: Presbyterian Church-Fellowship Hall, 1601 W. Elliott St.
- Precinct 3 Location: Stephens County Annex Building, 222 N. Baylor
- Precinct 4 Location: BISD Support Center-Bus Barn, 907 U.S. Highway 183 North
- Precinct 5 Location: Wayland Volunteer Fire Department, 10276 FM 1852
On the Ballot
The ballot includes Federal offices, such as the president of the United States, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative for District 25, and other offices; State offices, such as state senator, state representative and more; and several local offices.
None of the local candidates have opponents listed on the ballot. However, there are two official write-in candidates for the County Commissioner positions that are up for election this year — Precinct 1 and Precinct 3.
For Precinct 1, incumbent David Fambro filed for re-election, and Chad Jones filed to run as a write-in. Click here to see their candidate profiles.
For Precinct 3, incumbent Will Warren filed for re-election, and Houston Satterwhite filed to run as a write-in. Click here to see their candidate profiles.
According to County Judge Michael Roach, voters who want to vote for a write-in candidate must write the name exactly as it is on the candidate’s application. There will be a list of all of the write-in candidates’ names in the voting booth, he said.
Additionally, voters who live in Stephens County, but outside the Breckenridge city limits, will have a chance to vote on a new sales tax for the county. In order to charge the sales tax, Stephens County will have to create a “County Assistance District” that encompasses only the unincorporated area of Stephens County. (Click here for more details on the proposed sales tax.)
Ballot by Mail
Voting by mail is available to elderly voters and voters with physical disabilities. The deadline to request a ballot by mail has past; however, those who requested a ballot by the deadline can still send in their vote. For more details about voting by mail, visit the VoteTexas website or call the Stephens County Elections office at 254-522-9498.
Voter ID
Registered voters must take an acceptable photo ID with them in order to vote. Acceptable IDs include:
- Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
- Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
- United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
- United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
- United States Passport (book or card)
With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Certificate, which does not expire, for voters aged 18-69, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired no more than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place. For voters aged 70 or older, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired for any length of time if the identification is otherwise valid.
If you do not have one of those types of identification, check with Jared McLane, the Stephens County elections administrator, at 254-522-9498 for more information.
Check out these related articles on the Breckenridge Texan:
Early voting for Nov. 5 election to begin Oct. 21
Candidate Profiles: Stephens County Commissioner, Precinct 1
Candidate Profiles: Stephens County Commissioner, Precinct 3
Rural Stephens County voters to consider county sales tax in November election
Jones challenges Fambro as write-in candidate for Precinct 1 County Commissioner position
First day of early voting in Stephens County sets record (Oct. 15, 2020)