By Juan Montoya
Despite a disappointing early voting turnout in the city of Brownsville elections Saturday of only 523 voters across the six voting sites in the city, the turnout in the runoffs is 340 votes higher than it was in the May 4 early voting period.
During the first round of elections 5,300 votes were cast during the first six days of early voting compared to 5,640 in as many days during these runoffs.
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The turnout at the Central Library declined to 327, down considerably from the five previous days.
The story was the same at the Southmost Library, where only 90 voters showed up to cast their ballots despite the fact that the supporters of a slate of candidates (Rick Longoria, Charlie Cabler and Jessica Puente-Bradshaw) provided a conjunto, food, and enlisted the help of former Dallas Cowboy Tony Casillas.
The lack of enthusiasm Saturday was probably best characterized by the one lone vote cast at the UTRGV La Sala polling station. The sweltering weather (in the mid-90s with a heat index soaring past the 100 degree mark) probably didn't help either.
Whether the festivities will spur the rest of the electorate in the last two days (Monday and Tuesday) and prep the turnout on election day next Saturday is anyone's guess.
In the May 4 regular elections there was a surge of voting that surprised some people. Statistically, some 60 to 70 percent of the votes are cast during the extended early period.
Voters will decide between Trey Mendez and Charlie Cabler for mayor, between Jessica Puente Bradshaw and John Cowen for At-Large "A", and between Nurith Galonsky and incumbent Ricardo Longoria for District 1.
Despite a disappointing early voting turnout in the city of Brownsville elections Saturday of only 523 voters across the six voting sites in the city, the turnout in the runoffs is 340 votes higher than it was in the May 4 early voting period.
During the first round of elections 5,300 votes were cast during the first six days of early voting compared to 5,640 in as many days during these runoffs.
The turnout at the Central Library declined to 327, down considerably from the five previous days.The story was the same at the Southmost Library, where only 90 voters showed up to cast their ballots despite the fact that the supporters of a slate of candidates (Rick Longoria, Charlie Cabler and Jessica Puente-Bradshaw) provided a conjunto, food, and enlisted the help of former Dallas Cowboy Tony Casillas.
The lack of enthusiasm Saturday was probably best characterized by the one lone vote cast at the UTRGV La Sala polling station. The sweltering weather (in the mid-90s with a heat index soaring past the 100 degree mark) probably didn't help either.
Whether the festivities will spur the rest of the electorate in the last two days (Monday and Tuesday) and prep the turnout on election day next Saturday is anyone's guess.
In the May 4 regular elections there was a surge of voting that surprised some people. Statistically, some 60 to 70 percent of the votes are cast during the extended early period.
Voters will decide between Trey Mendez and Charlie Cabler for mayor, between Jessica Puente Bradshaw and John Cowen for At-Large "A", and between Nurith Galonsky and incumbent Ricardo Longoria for District 1.