Breckenridge Texan

By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan

Early voting in the Texas primaries is underway today, continuing through Feb. 27, with Election Day on March 3.

Locally, there are three opposed races in the Republican Primary — County Judge, Constable and County Commissioner – Precinct 4. There are no local Democratic Party candidates. There are other unopposed local races in the Republican Primary, as well as some state and federal offices on the ballot in both the Republican and Democratic primaries.

In Stephens County, Early Voting will take place at the Stephens County Courthouse in the first floor hallway/corridor during the following dates and times:

• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, Feb. 17-20
• 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21
• 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22
• 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, Feb. 23-27

On Primary Election Day, Tuesday, March 3, 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: Clear Fork 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

What’s on the Ballot?

The ballot will include state and federal offices, such as governor, attorney general, lieutenant governor, U.S. senator, comptroller, land commissioner, ag commissioner, U.S. representatives, and other offices, as well as the county offices of county judge, constable, county commissioner for precincts and 4, county clerk, county treasurer, justice of the peace, and district clerk. The only contested local races are for county judge, constable and commissioner-precinct 4. The other local races are uncontested.

In the County Judge’s race, Bacel Cantrell and Will Thompson are running for the Republican nomination. Current Stephens County Judge Michael Roach did not file for re-election. Click here to see the Breckenridge Texan’s candidate profiles for Cantrell and Thompson. Note: There is an error on the ballot, and Thompson’s name is listed as “Williams Thompson.” However, local election officials confirmed that votes cast for Thompson will still be counted.

For Precinct 4, incumbent Tanner Wade filed for re-election, and Donald Perry filed to run against him. Only voters who live in Precinct 4 will see this race on their ballots. Click here to see the Breckenridge Texan’s candidate profiles for Wade and Perry.

For the Republican nomination for Stephens County Constable, incumbent Brian McBride filed for re-election, and Justin Shockley filed to run against him. Click here to see the Breckenridge Texan’s candidate profiles for McBride and Shockley.

Click here to see a sample ballot for the Stephens County Republican Primary. Note, your ballot may look slightly different, depending on which county precinct you live in.

Click here to see a sample ballot for the Stephens County Democratic Primary.

For more information about the state and federal races, check out the Texas Tribune’s “2026 Voter Primary Guide.”

Ballot by Mail

In addition to the Early Voting and Election Day options, qualified voters may also cast their ballots by mail, an alternative that is available to elderly voters, voters with physical disabilities, and voters who will be out of the county for the two-week early voting period and election day.

In order to vote by mail, qualified voters must request a ballot by mail and return it to the Stephens County Elections office by Friday, Feb. 20.

For more details about voting by mail, visit the VoteTexas website, call the Stephens County Clerk’s office at 254-559-3700, or visit the Stephens County Elections webpage.

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 the Stephens County Clerk, at 254-559-3700 for more information.

Cutline, top photo: Early Voting, which starts today, Feb. 17, and continues through Feb. 27, is taking place at the Stephens County Courthouse, located at 200 W. Walker St. in downtown Breckenridge. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)