Early voting is underway this week, starting Tuesday, Feb. 17, for the March 3 party primary election. Early voters can cast their ballots through Feb. 27.
In Burnet County, there are no Democrats in local races, so residents will decide the fate of two county seats with contested races in the Republican primaries. On the first day of early voting, the two candidates vying for the Republican nomination for Burnet County judge were in line at the AgriLife Building at 8 a.m. as the voting center opened.
Burnet County Judge incumbent Bryan Wilson is trying to retain his seat against a challenge from Burnet County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Alan Trevino.
In Burnet County precinct 2, incumbent Damon Beierle is working to keep his seat which is being challenged by contractor Leonard Guenter.
Wilson and Trevino greeted each other warmly and shook hands prior to voting. Outside of the designated boundary for campaigning adjacent to the voting center both expressed a positive outlook on their chances.
“It’s been a fun 14 months, been hard at it, and we’re going to work until the end,” Trevino told the Bulletin after he greeted curbside supporters. “We’ve done door-to-door, walking of neighborhoods, numerous meet & greets, we’re on the phone. We’ve done mailers.
“My experience in law enforcement and business management gives me a good opportunity to use those experiences for the county,” Trevino added.
Wilson emphasized his accomplishments as the incumbent.
“A lot of people realized I brought a lot of transparency and calm to this commissioners court, since I was appointed,” Wilson said. “I’ve worked really hard. We did cut taxes. We’ve handled three major disasters, and I’ve made the tough decisions to get people help right away and organized the kind of help, instead of them chasing all over for government agencies, I brought them all together in one place.
“I’ve put $1.2 million in the sheriff’s office and really been taking care of people. People first.”
Polling locations are the Burnet AgriLife Building, Bertram Community Center, Granite Shoals Community Center and Texas Tech in Marble Falls.
Times are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 17, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25 and 27; and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at all locations on Feb. 19 and 21 (AgriLife Building) as well as Feb. 26. Also, the second week, the AgriLife Building will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day.
Voters must provide one of at least seven forms of identification to vote such as as driver’s license or Texas DPS-issued ID as well as a handgun license, military/citizenship certificate or U.S. passport.
Mail ballot applications must be received by early voting clerks on or before Feb. 20. A postmark is not enough. Visit VoteTexas.gov for details on eligibility.
Burnet County residents can vote at any open polling location during early voting. For assistance, call the Burnet County Elections Office at 512-715-5288 or visit burnetcountyelections. com for sample ballots.
“I want everyone to get out, and I hope they vote for me, but vote for this to be a great turnout,” Wilson said.
Trevino added, “The message has been positive from the start and we’re going to finish strong.”
