By DIANTÉ MARIGNY
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com
South Padre Island voters will head to the polls twice this fall, beginning with an Oct. 3 special election to fill the City Council Place 1 seat, followed one month later by the Nov. 3 general election.
Early voting for the special election begins Wednesday, Sept. 16, giving residents more than a week of opportunities to cast ballots before Election Day.
The Oct. 3 election was called to elect a council member to Place 1. Early voting will take place at the South Padre Island Community Center, 4501 Padre Blvd.
Early voting hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 16-18; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 21-25. Extended voting hours of 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. are also scheduled during the final days of early voting, according to election information released by the city.
Ahead of voting, the South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce will host a candidate forum Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the South Padre Island Convention Center.
The forum will give the public an opportunity to hear from candidates seeking the Place 1 seat. Residents may submit questions for consideration in advance by emailing the Chamber at Forum@spichamber.com, mailing them to the Chamber at 4113 Padre Blvd., South Padre Island, or submitting them in person. The deadline for questions is 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4.
After the special election, attention will turn quickly to the Nov. 3 general election.
South Padre Island has created an election webpage containing information for both the Oct. 3 special election and Nov. 3 general election, including voting information and sample ballots.
With two elections taking place only a month apart, city officials are encouraging residents to review election information and make note of the separate voting dates.
Voters with questions about registration, polling locations or other election matters may contact the Cameron County Elections Department at (956) 544-0809 or elections@co.cameron.tx.us.