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ESD, multiple positions, up for contention
Colorado County will have four local elections on Saturday, May 3. If you live in the Rice Consolidated Independent School District you will elect a school board member for position 5. Registered voters in the city limits of Eagle Lake and Weimar will have an election for city council members.
All registered voters in Colorado County will have an option to vote on the Emergency Services District #1.
There have been a considerable number of questions regarding eligible registered voters in specific political subdivisions and who is eligible to vote for what in the May 3 election.
Colorado County has a total of 14,362 registered voters.
Breaking down the areas of eligibility: • The city of Columbus has 2,142 voters.
• Columbus’ extra territorial jurisdiction has 481 voters.
• The city of Eagle Lake has 1,846 voters.
• Eagle Lake’s extra territorial jurisdiction 197 voters.
• The city of Weimar has 1,279 voters.
• Weimar’s extra territorial jurisdiction 142 voters.
• Unincorporated areas (anything that is not a municipality or extraterritorial jurisdiction) have 8,263 voters.
• Rice Consolidated School District has 4,090 voters.
The average voter turnout in a local election is approximately 1,775 votes.
What is an extra territorial jurisdiction or ETJ? An extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) is a buffer zone surrounding a city’s corporate boundaries. In Texas, ETJs are established by law to allow cities to regulate land use, infrastructure, and development within a specific area beyond their limits.
This regulation is intended to ensure consistency with future city growth and annexation.
Why does the ETJ matter in this election? The ETJ is a defined territory for voter registration in the Emergency Services District #1 election.
If you live inside the city limits of Eagle Lake or Weimar, you will vote in the respective city council position. If you reside in RCISD you will be eligible to vote for the school board. Every registered voter will have the ESD#1 Proposition A on the ballot.
The most races you could possibly have on your ballot are three (example: City of Eagle Lake/RCISD/ESD) or just have the one proposition (Example: City of Columbus/ CISD/ESD).
Whatever district you are eligible to vote in will automatically be on your ballot. If you have questions or concerns about what race you are eligible to vote in, please do not hesitate to contact the election office at 979732-6860.
Please speak directly to an election official before you cast your ballot if you think you have received the wrong ballot.
Composite sample ballots are available at https://www. co.colorado.tx.us/page/colorado or can be picked up at the Colorado County Annex or Election Center.
It is crucial to understand the importance of local elections. These elections deserve your attention and consideration.
