Early voting begins in Copperas Cove with long lines, continues through Nov. 1
By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press
Polls opened Monday morning for early voting ahead of the Nov. 5 election, and the line at the Copperas Cove Early Voting Center stretched from the door all the way to the front of Waffle Cone, at the other end of the building.
More than 6,700 ballots were cast during the first three days of early voting in Coryell County.
Of the 6,767 ballots cast, 471 are mail-in ballots received so far. A total of 3,603 voters made their way to the Copperas Cove early voting center, and the other 2,693 voted in Gatesville.
Polls are open this week through Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., at the Copperas Cove Early Voting Center, in Cove Terrace Shopping Center. This weekend, polls will also be open 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday. Voters may also vote at the annex up in Gatesville.
Next week, polls are open 7a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, with early voting ending on Nov. 1.
Copperas Cove voters will be deciding four local races as well as the tax rate, which is being decided with a special election, called the “no new revenue” rate election.
For the Copperas Cove mayor and Place 1 and Place 2 on the city council, there are a total of six candidates. Incumbent Mayor Dan Yancey is running unopposed. For Place 1, Howard Hawk and Christina Strohfus are on the ballot. For Place 2, there is a three-way race between George Duncan, Victor Hall II, and Rita Hogan.
For the Copperas Cove Independent School District, both incumbents for Place 1 and Place 2 have opposing candidates. Place 1 incumbent Inez Faison faces Sherry Hoffpauir, and Place 2 incumbent Shameria Ann Davis faces Timothy Traeger.
Locally, all Coryell County races are uncontested, with the candidates having been decided in the March primary, to include: District Judge, 52nd District Court, Trent D. Farrell; District Attorney, Dusty Boyd; County Attorney – Brandon Belt; Tax Assessor-Collector, Justin K. Carothers; Commissioner Precinct 1, Kyle Matthews; Commissioner Precinct 3, Ryan Basham; Constable Precinct 1, Guy Beveridge; Constable Precinct 2, Shawn Camp; Constable Precinct 3, Jimmy R. Daniel; Constable Precinct 4, Teddy Brock. The current county terms of office will end on Dec. 31, 2024, new terms begin on Jan. 1, 2025.
For state races, State Representative District 59 incumbent Shelby Slawson ( R ), is facing off against Hannah Bohm (D).
CCLP/LYNETTE SOWELL
A line stretches out the door on Monday morning, the first day of early voting at the Copperas Cove Early Voting Center, located at 508B Cove Terrace.