Early voting begins in primary runoff elections

"You estimate what you think totals are going to be. As far as a simple estimate, the City of Kyle has 28,000 [in] population. City of Buda has 7,300. Where would you recommend a site be?" Cowan said. "If you think of Precinct 2, Kyle really was the center of the area."

Cowan said officials take into account previous numbers of voters who have turned out for runoff elections, usually a lower number than in a primary.

"I wished I could say that I think we'll have more people turn out in our runoff than we did in our original primary, but in my opinion—and everybody's that I get as far as estimates—it's not going to happen," Cowan said. "I appreciate every voter that goes to the poll. If we were to exceed it [primary voter totals], it's kind of 'Hallelujah.'"

Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark Jones said the original early voting locations were established when officials received unclear instructions from the state of Texas.

"When we decided on our sites, we were under the [impression] that we could have only one site per precinct, and that if we opened up two [voting sites] in one we'd have to open up two in all," Jones told commissioners.

Cowan said she received clarification on the regulations and, after hearing from a couple of Buda residents on the issue, brought the matter to commissioners for further consideration.

"We try to accommodate our voters, and I think we have," she said. "We are looking at doing things differently for our November election, because that is a whole different story."

As of Monday afternoon, Cowan said the county had seen 131 votes cast at Dripping Springs ISD, 88 at the Hays County Government Center, 65 at the Buda-Kyle location and 86 in Wimberley.

Early voting runs through July 27. The Buda City Hall location will be open from 7 a.m.–7 p.m. July 27. Hays County voters may cast their ballots at any location during early voting, but must vote at their home precinct on Election Day, July 31.

More information on voting locations, including maps, is available on the Hays County website.

Early voting locations

8 a.m.–5 p.m. July 23–27. Hays County Elections Office, 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos.

8 a.m.–5 p.m. July 23–25. Kyle City Hall, 100 W. Center St., Kyle; Wimberley Community Center, 14068 RR 12, Wimberley; and Dripping Springs ISD Administration Building, 510 W. Mercer St., Dripping Springs.

7 a.m.–7 p.m. July 26–27. Kyle City Hall, Wimberley Community Center, DISD Administration Building.

On the ballot

U.S. senate—Democrats Paul Sadler and Grady Yarbrough, and Republicans Ted Cruz and David Dewhurst

U.S. representative, District 25—Republicans Wes Riddle and Roger Williams

Railroad commissioner—Republicans Warren Chisum and Christi Craddick

Railroad commissioner—Republicans Greg Parker and Barry Smitherman

Supreme Court justice, Place 4—Republicans John Devine and David Medina

State Senate, District 25—Republicans Dr. Donna Campbell and Jeff Wentworth

District Judge, 22nd Judicial District—Republicans Bruce Boyer and David S. Glickler

Precinct chairman, all Republican candidates

Precinct 225—David C. Crowell and Stuart G. Hoyt

Precinct 226—Katherine Bowman and Darryl Swann

Precinct 232—Pat T. W. Chisholm, Thomas Doebner and George Butler

Precinct 335—Philip W. Koch and Mary Joe Roddie

Precinct 337—Dean Miller and Craig Young

Precinct 414—Riley Inks and Thomas E. LeVrier

Precinct 419—James R. Clements and Jaime Torres

Precinct 444—Linda Kinney and Mandy Taylor

Precinct 447—Don Meador and Paul Velte

Precinct 449—Kenneth R. Hamburger and Mary Pat Paul