County Judge left off ballot

RUSK — Some who voted early Tuesday may have noticed a name lmissing from the ballot. County Judge Chris Davis’ name was accidentally left off the ballot, according to Republican County Chairman Jerry Ayers.

“The ballots were sent off to be printed, and they printed them,” Ayers said. “When we sent the ballot in, I thought we had the name on there.”

Davis is running again for his position as a Republican.

Ayers said it is yet to be determined if printing company Hart Intercivic left the name off or if he forgot to add the name, however Ayers said he takes full responsibility for the incident.

“I’m not going to blame anyone else,” Ayers said. “Thank goodness it was an uncontested race.”

Ayers said if it is determined that Hart Intercivic left the name off, the party would not have to pay for the reprints.

“I think the cost of the ballots was about $600 dollars,” he said. “If we have to pay it, that’s how much it would probably be.”

Davis said he was upset Tuesday morning, but he is glad everything worked out and the ballots could be corrected.

“It was just an accident ,I’m sure,” Davis said. “I was pretty shocked when somebody told me I wasn’t on the ballot this morning. I’m sorry it happened. We certainly don’t want to do anything to mess up an election.”

Ayers contacted the Texas Secretary of State to make sure there were no problems with the reprinting of the ballots.

“They said, ‘It’s no problem at all — it is your responsibility anyway,’” Ayers said. “I’m sorry it happened. Nobody got hurt — nobody got thrown off the ballot.”

County Clerk Laverne Lusk said she faxed the rough draft of both ballots to their respective chairs Feb. 10.

“Hart (Intercivic) sent their proofs to me,” Lusk said. “I faxed a copy to Jerry Ayers and (Democratic County Chairman) Eric Penn. They verified they were OK.”

Lusk said according to her knowledge, this has not happened before.

“Since Chris is unopposed, as long as he gets a vote, he’ll win the primary,” she added.

Davis will face opposition in the November election — Democrat Preston Meador has filed for the seat.

Early voting began Tuesday and continues through March 3, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Early voting polling places will be the county clerk’s office in the county courthouse in Rusk, the Senior Citizens Center in Jacksonville and the A. Frank Smith Methodist Church in Alto.

According Lusk, all three locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, and all voting places will be closed March 2 due to the Texas Independence Day holiday.

Early voting applications by mail may be received by the county clerk’s office until Feb. 28.

The regular primary election day is 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 7.