“There's a rumor circulating in the community — and perhaps in the state — that if you vote early it won't count,” said Saundra Bloom, election administrator for the county. “This is absurd. If it didn't count, we wouldn't even hold early voting.

“Early voting and the ballots by mail are counted on Election Day. Those totals are released to the public after the polls close at 7 p.m. on Election Day. When the results from the polls are brought in, they are added to the early voting results.”

Bloom urges area voters to not let silly rumors interfere with voting in this year's presidential election.

“Don't let rumors from the uninformed prevent you from exercising your right to vote,” she said.

Early voting began Monday morning, and will continue — Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. — until Friday, Oct. 31. Polling hours will be extended this evening, with balloting taking place until 7 p.m. in the courtroom located on the third floor of the county courthouse.

Bloom said she's expecting a big turnout during early voting this year.

“I'm expecting around 7,000 people during early voting, and another 5,000 on election day,” said Bloom. “There are 17,824 registered voters in Howard County right now, and we tallied approximately 11,000 ballots in the 2004 presidential election. If we get the 12,000 voters, that's more than 65 percent of all the registered voters, which is really good.”

In the race for Howard County Sheriff, Republican candidate Stan Parker, a former officer with the Big Spring Police Department, is facing off against Democratic nominee Pat Carter, a former sheriff's deputy.

The District 1 seat on the commissioners court is also up for grabs, as Emma Brown, incumbent and Democratic Party nominee, takes on Republican nominee Edwin Ware

The District 3 seat on the court will see a new face following the November contest, as Democratic nominee Dick Dubose takes on Republican candidate Jimmie Long. Incumbent Commissioner Bill Crooker did not run for re-election.

County Attorney Mike Thomas is running for re-election with the Democratic Party, drawing his only opponent in local attorney Joshua Hamby, who is running on the Republican ticket.

County Constable Bill Holden is running for re-election on the Democratic ticket, challenged by Republican nominee Kneel B. Stallings

In state politics, incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R) is running against Democratic opponent Rick Noriega and Libertarian candidate Yvonne Adams Schick.

Incumbent District 19 U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer is riding the Republican ticket into the November election, facing Democratic nominee Dwight Fullingim and Libertarian nominee Richard "Chip"  Peterson.

District 31 State Sen. Kel Seliger is taking the GOP's nod into the contest, with only Libertarian candidate Lauren Poindexter opposing the incumbent.

Democratic incumbent Joe Heflin is running for re-election to his State Representative District 85 seat, facing Republican nominee Isaac M. Castro on the ballot.

In Martin County, early voting polls are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until noon and 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. each day. The early voting polls are located at the Martin County Courthouse, 301 N. St. Peter St. in Stanton.

Martin County will also see a new sheriff at the end of the Nov. 4 contest, as Democratic candidate Jerry Heflin squares off against Republican candidate John Woodward III for the office. Incumbent Sheriff Randy Cozart opted not to run for re-election.

The race for the Precinct 3 seat on the Martin County Commissioners Court is also without an incumbent, as Republican hopeful Bobby Holland is going up against Democratic candidate Morgan Cox.

Voters in Martin County are also weighing in on the District 82 State Representative race, which features incumbent Tom Craddick, a Republican, against Democratic nominee Bill Dingus and Libertarian hopeful Sherry Phillips.

The District 11 U.S. Representative seat will also be decided this November, as incumbent Republican candidate Mike Conaway takes on Libertarian candidate John R. Strohm.

For more information on early voting and Howard County contests, contact Bloom at 264-2273. For information on Martin County races, contact the clerk's office at 756-3412.

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it