The Republican and Democratic primary run-off races are set for May 24 when the voters in those parties make the final decision in primary races that were left undecided after the March 1 election. Primary races/elections determine which candidate will represent each political party in advance of the general election.
Early voting runs from May 16-20 at the Castro County Courthouse. Voters will go to their assigned polling locations on general election day. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day.
The deadline to apply to vote by mail is May 13. Ballots by mail must be received by the county clerk by 7 p.m. on May 24.
For citizens who voted in the March primary election, those people MUST cast their vote only in runoff races for the SAME party. In the November general election, they may vote for either party candidate without restriction.
If a voter did not cast a ballot in the March primaries this year, they may choose to vote in either the Democratic or Republican runoffs but must be registered to vote 30 days before the election, which had an April 25 deadline.
Locally, Flip Taylor, incumbent for Castro County Justice of the Peace, will face challenger Mary Ewing. In the March primary election, Taylor collected 43.13% of the Republican vote and Ewing, 37.77%. The primary election requires that a candidate have 50% plus one vote to be named winner.
In crowded primary elections in which no candidate won more than 50% of votes, the two candidates for their party with the most votes will appear on the runoff ballot
Ṫhe runoff winners will become their party’s pick for the November general election and face the candidate from the opposing party, along with possible Libertarian, Green Party and independent candidates.
In Castro County, independent candidate Janet Sammann will be challenging Republican candidate Mandy Gfeller in the Castro County judge race in the November general election.
Castro County candidates who ran unchallenged and who will appear on the November general election ballot are Elaine Flynt (R), county treasurer; Carol Lust (R), Republican chair; Jo Anna Blanco (D), county clerk; Joyce Thomas (D), Democratic chair; Tim Elliott (R), Precinct 2 commissioner; and Ralph Brockman (R), Precinct 4 commissioner.
State runoff races that Castro County voters will be casting a ballot for include:
• Attorney General: Republican incumbent Ken Paxton vs. George P. Bush; and Democratic candidates Rochelle Garza vs. Joe Jaworski.
• Lieutenant Governor: Democrat candidates Michelle Beckley vs. Mike Collier.
• Land Commissioner: Republican candidates Dawn Buckingham vs. Tim Westley; and Democratic candi dates Jay Kleberg vs. Sandragrace Martinez.
• Comptroller: Democratic candidates Janet T. Dudding vs. Angel Luis Vega.
• Railroad Commissioner: Republican candidates Wayne Christian vs. Sarah Stogner.
As per election voting laws in Texas, the usual voter ID requirements are in place for the primary runoff election and only US citizens may vote with the proper identification. Voters must vote in the party they chose in March for a primary runoff election (that restriction does NOT apply to the general election in November). Primaries are “party” elections.