The Presidential Election is here with early voting having started this Monday, Oct. 21. Early voting will continue from the 21st until the Nov. 1 with Election Day being Nov. 5. Early voting sites will be in Rockdale at the Patterson Center, in Thorndale at the Veterans Memorial Hall, in Buckholts at the Community Center, and in Cameron at the Milam County Annex. Times for early voting, sample ballots, and the address of the early voting sites can be found in this paper or on the Milam County Elections site at milamcounty.net.
After the first day in early voting, there have already been 1520 votes cast in Milam County; 1,326 locally with 194 mail-in ballots. Last week on my radio show I spoke about how important it is that as many Milam County voters as possible get out and vote. Typically for a presidential election, only around 40-45% of the voters get out and vote. This year, over 10% of the registered voters in Milam County have already cast their ballot. That is an incredible number that I hope the momentum continues through to Nov. 5.
Currently, there are some popular internet and social media posts suggesting voting machine errors and shenanigans going on with the election; however, currently we have had no issues in Milam County. County Clerk Jodi Morgan and her s taff d o a f antastic j ob keeping things working as smoothly as possible. One of the best things about living in Milam County is the knowledge that our county clerk’s office and elections’ office are as well run as they are. So, while many folks are concerned about election integrity, I do not see a need for concern here in Milam County.
With all that said, if you still have concerns, then please do check your electronic ballot before you print it of f, and then check the printed ballot before it is scanned. One of the reasons for the printed ballots is that we can do a manual recount of printed ballots if there is an issue with the automatic tallies. But I highly doubt that it will be a necessity in the end.
The Nurse and I are on our annual pilgrimage to visit our children and as I sit in our hotel right now, I am surprised at the interest from all over the world in our current election. There has been a lot of vitriol cast throughout the election and there are many folks who tend to be acrimonious towards the whole endeavor. As a result, even when there are true and factual statements made, some will still make personal attacks on fellow county residents out of spite. Regardless of where you stand in the election, we all have to bear in mind that in the end we are all residents of the same country and will continue to live together in Milam County.
Please get out and vote. Four years ago, around 40% of the voting eligible folks in Milam County voted. As I said earlier, we have taken a tremendous first step with over 10% voting on the first day, but that number should be closer to 80%. So, if you genuinely want your voice heard — get out and vote!
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