(Seguin) — With early voting underway, local residents will be faced with casting their ballots in several major statewide contests and local races.
Among the featured races on the ballot are contests for Texas governor, lieutenant governor, U.S. Congress and the U.S. Senate.
The U.S. Senate race features Republican Ken Paxton, Democrat James Talarico and Libertarian Ted Brown.
The congressional race features Republican Carlos De La Cruz and Democrat Johnny Garcia. The two are vying for the redrawn District 35 seat in the U.S,. House of Representatives. All of Guadalupe County is now part of this district.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is seeking another term and faces Democrat Gina Hinojosa and Libertarian Pat Dixon.
Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick faces Democrat Vikki Goodwin, Libertarian Anthony Cristo and Green Party candidate Kevin McCormick.
Other statewide offices, including attorney general, comptroller and agriculture commissioner.
The race for the District 44 seat in the Texas House features GOP incumbent Alan Schoolcraft and Democratic challenger Eric Norman.
Locally, Guadalupe County voters – depending on where they live — will be deciding several races.
Seguin ISD voters will be asked to consider a Voter-Approval Tax Ratification Election, or VATRE.
The measure is listed as a tax increase on the ballot, but district officials say the district’s total tax rate would remain the same.
If approved, the VATRE would allow the district to shift two cents from its debt service tax rate to its maintenance and operations tax rate, leaving the total rate unchanged.
District official say shifting those two pennies may not seem like a big deal, but that it would bring a significant amount of additional state funding to the district. They say without voter approval, that additional money would not be available to the district.
Five candidates are also seeking four positions on the Navarro ISD Board of Trustees.
Candidates include Jared Gallini, Noah Webster, Kristen Green, Hillarie Forister and incumbent Dan Reinhard.
In the city of Seguin, there is one contested race on the Seguin City Council.
Chris Aviles and Forest Fletcher are vying for the District 5 seat.
Another local contest involves Place 2 on the Guadalupe Appraisal District Board of Directors.
It is the only contested position on the appraisal district board ballot, and features Peggy Herman and Charles Kelm.
Again, early voting opens today and continues through Friday, Oct. 30. Voters are asked to review their sample ballots before heading to the polls
Voters can find sample ballots, early-voting locations and additional election information on the Guadalupe County Elections website.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.