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School bonds, state props await Tuesday vote
Published November 2, 2009
ANGLETON — Early voting turnout in Brazoria County was higher than the predicted state average, apparently driven by bond elections in two of the county’s biggest school districts.
Election Day for 11 state constitutional amendments, three school bond issues and one city bond issue is Tuesday, when polls will be open from 7 a.m. to
7 p.m. It follows a 10-day early voting period, which saw 7,152 of the county’s 166,484 registered voters cast ballots, Elections Clerk Tricia DeVille said.
That 4.3 percent turnout is higher than the 3 percent participation statewide predicted by the Texas Secretary of State’s Office.
“Our early turnout was higher than expected,” DeVille said. “The bond issues brought them out.”
Brazosport ISD’s $166 million bond request for maintenance and building upgrades, and Alvin ISD’s $70 million bond request appear to be boosting turnout.
“Other than those two things, there wasn’t a whole lot of action,” DeVille said. “Even in statewide reports, nobody is reporting much turnout.”
During the last constitutional election cycle in 2007, about 7 percent voted early and about 14 percent voted overall. In that voting cycle, voters decided overwhelmingly to allow sales of beer, wine and mixed drinks in the county.
For the first time, the county elections department hosted “mobile voting” to favorable response, Elections Director Janice Evans said.
With mobile polls, voting is held for a few hours in temporary locations such as outside football games, she said. Alvin ISD used the method to draw more voters to its proposed bond, and it worked — 1,282 voters cast ballots at the temporary sites on top of 1,157 at the city library.
If approved by voters, Alvin ISD would put the bonds toward a $112 million package to build two elementary schools and a middle school, and purchase land and design work for the district’s third high school. The rest of the money will come from previously approved bonds.
Brazosport ISD is seeking $166 million to pay for infrastructure and maintenance. The issue includes new school buildings for A.P. Beutel, Jane Long and T.W. Ogg elementary schools. It also includes new gymnasiums for five elementaries and Lanier Middle School, campuses which currently are without gyms.
A districtwide natatorium and new fine arts wings for Freeport Intermediate and Brazoswood High School also are included, along with renovations, maintenance and technology.
At the Brazosport College location in Lake Jackson, 1,549 people voted and 360 voted at the Freeport Library. Although voters can cast ballots in any of 10 county locations for any measure, they usually vote close to home, Lead Elections Clerk Susan Cloudt said.
Danbury ISD is seeking $8.9 million in bonds to complete a second floor of the middle school, addition of a classroom and cafeteria wing to the elementary school and a multi-use athletic facility. The early voting location nearest Danbury is in Angleton, where 601 ballots were cast.
Manvel city officials hope for $2.5 million for a new building to house a new library and city offices. In early voting, 457 ballots were cast at Manvel.
In East Pearland, 519 voted while 383 voted in West Pearland, 328 in Brazoria, 192 in West Columbia, 172 in Sweeny, and 152 by mail.
Also on Tuesday’s ballot are 11 amendments to the state constitution, including measures to restrict use of eminent domain for economic development; to protect access to public beaches; to tax property based only on value as a home and not at a commercial use value; to set uniform standards for property appraisals; to allow consolidation of property appraisal boards; and to allow members of the Texas State Guard or other state military force to hold civil offices.
John Lowman covers Brazoria County for The Facts. Contact him at 979-849-8581.
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