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Voters across North Texas will decide between dozens of candidates and whether hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on Election Day today, with polls open throughout the region from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
While lawmakers in Austin are engaged in tense debates over whether voters should have to show photo identification in future elections, those casting a ballot today have several ways to prove their identity to poll workers.If a voter doesn’t have his or her voter certificate, a long list of other identification is accepted, including a driver’s license, U.S. passport or a copy of a current bank statement.Even a Sam’s Club card would work, Tarrant County Elections Administrator Steve Raborn said"If a person doesn’t have any ID on them, we tell them to look in their car because their registration papers would be accepted," he said.More than 23,000 voters cast ballots in early voting in Tarrant County.For Texans who chose to wait until today to cast a ballot, Raborn noted that polling places for city elections can be different from the location for primary and general elections. Those who are unsure of their polling place can:Check today’s Star-Telegram or visit elections.star-telegram.com.Call the Elections Center at 817-831-VOTE (8683). Visit the Elections Center’s Web site at tarrantcounty.com/evote.Fort Worth racesIn Fort Worth, 27 candidates are running for mayor and City Council, and only two of them are unopposed. A runoff is likely in one race, and is at least possible in four others. Any runoffs would be held June 13.Seven people are running to replace District 3 Councilman Chuck Silcox, who died in October: Eric Fox, Gary Hogan, Matthew Hudson, Bill Lawson, James Nuttall, Elizabeth Jane McCune and W.B. "Zim" Zimmerman.Mayor Mike Moncrief has two opponents — Clyde Picht and Louis McBee.Incumbent Danny Scarth is running against Lupe Arriola and Jeffery Harris in District 4; Frank Moss is running against Melinda Hamilton and Carey Brown in District 5; Jungus Jordan is running against Glen Bucy and Paul Hicks in District 6; Carter Burdette is running against Charlie Murphy in District 7; and Kathleen Hicks is running against Suzette Watkins in District 8.Other citiesIn Arlington, Mayor Robert Cluck is facing four challengers: Aaron Bickle, Jerry Pikulinski, Lane M. Weston and Stephen Joe Lagwund White. Three City Council members also have opponents. Incumbent Robert Rivera is running against Marvin Sutton in District 3; Kathryn Wilemon is running against Richard Weber in District 4 and Lana Wolff is running against Terry Meza in District 5.Voters in Southlake will weigh in on a closely watched mayoral race between Mayor Pro Tem John Terrell and former Mayor Rick Stacy, as well as two City Council races. A controversial $138 million bond package is also grabbing the attention of voters in the Carroll school district.There are also races for mayor and council seats in Benbrook, Bedford, Forest Hill, Trophy Club and Westworth Village.In one of the most expensive contests in the state, Dallas voters will settle whether the city can publicly fund a convention center hotel.Staff writer Mike Lee contributed to this report.What you need to voteAccepted documents at the polls:Voter certificateA driver’s license or personal identification card issued to you by the Department of Public Safety or a similar document issued to you by an agency of another state, regardless of whether the license or card has expired.A form of identification containing your photograph that establishes your identity.A birth certificate or other document confirming birth that is admissible in a court of law and establishes your identity.U.S. citizenship papers issued to you.A U.S. passport issued to you.Official mail addressed to you, by name, from a governmental entity.A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address.Any other form of identification prescribed by the secretary of state.Visit elections.star-telegram.com.Call the Tarrant County Elections Center at 817-831-VOTE (8683). Visit the Elections Center’s Web site at tarrantcounty.com/evote.
AMAN BATHEJA, 817-390-7695
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