Voters favor both Hays County bonds in early returns
Posted Nov. 8 at 7:16 p.m.
Early voting returns show Propositions 1 and 2 in Hays County, which would address the county's law-enforcement facilities and roads, respectively are heading toward approval. Proposition 1 has received 24,980 votes, or 51.59 percent of the total early voting, in favor and 23,443 votes, or 48.41 percent of the total early votes, against approval.
Proposition 2 has received 28,783 votes in favor of approval—representing 59.25 percent of the total early votes—and 19,792 votes—or 40.75 percent—against approval.
Ashley Whittenberger, a representative with the Save Hays political action committee, estimated her committee was outspent "about 20 to 1" by the county's public outreach team, which she said was skewed in favor of the bonds.
"I’m impressed that it’s that close considering how much [the county] spent to promote both of those propositions," Whittenberger said.
Representatives with Better Safer Hays, a PAC formed in support of the bond, could not be reached for comment.
Proposition 1 would address the county’s aging law-enforcement infrastructure by expanding and renovating the 27-year-old county jail, which officials say is overcrowded and consistently in need of repairs. The bond would also fund construction of a new law enforcement training center and a co-located emergency communications hub near the Government Center at 712 Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos.
Among the projects that would be funded by Proposition 2 is the design of an overpass to be built at the intersection of FM 110 and Hwy. 123 in east San Marcos, as well as relocation of a Union Pacific Corp. switching station from its current location on Center Street in Kyle to FM 1626, away from downtown traffic.
All results are unofficial until canvassed.
