Early voting ended Friday but voters have one last chance on Tuesday to decide everything from local propositions and offices to President of the United States.
The polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
In Ector County, 26,002 were listed as voting early through Thursday at 7 p.m. during the two week early voting period that ended Friday. Visit tinyurl.com/yk2sf7zk for a list of Ector County voting locations. Those who live in the City of Odessa but in Midland County may vote on election day at the Odessa Country Club.
What’s on the ballot?
Well, you may have heard of a race featuring former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. They are at the top of the ballot but there’s plenty more.
A number of local races are also on the ballot. Eddie Mitchell will challenge current District 1 City Councilperson Mark Matta. Meals on Wheels Executive Director Craig Stoker is challenging incumbent Denise Swanner for the Odessa City Council At Large seat.
Odessa attorney Cal Hendrick is challenging Mayor Javier Joven. District 2 will feature incumbent Steve Thompson against Nayely Urias. The races are nonpartisan and are for four year terms. The seats are mostly unpaid with officials getting about $10 per meeting.
OC’S BOND
Voters in Ector County will decide the fate of a $355 million bond election for Odessa College, which will raise property taxes.
If approved, funds would be used for a new sports center, career and technical education building, repurposing the Jack Rodgers Fine Arts Center as a childcare center, infrastructure and for the downtown campus.
Shem Culpepper, president/CEO of First Basin Credit Union, led a committee made up of community members to look at OC needs. Culpepper said on a $334,000 home, it would be about $30 per month or $360 a year more in property taxes over what homeowners are already paying.
Want to know more? Visit ocvision2030.com/bond-projects
MCH BALLOT
Also on this year’s ballot is Ector County Hospital District election Proposition A. The prop, in a nutshell, is the first step in allowing the hospital district the ability to raise their tax rate (not to exceed 75 cents per $100 valuation) to essentially allow what supporters say will be a fair and equitable distribution of the costs for fire and EMS services for all city and county residents.
Supporters say the measure will improve fire and EMS services for both city and county residents. City residents will get a tax reduction while county residents will gain improved fire and EMS services through increased funding.
Currently the city has the responsibility to provide fire and EMS services and this vote, if approved, will shift that cost to the hospital district but the city will continue to manage the fire and EMS services.
Learn more at tinyurl.com/23xe3jss
