Four percent of DeSoto voters cast early ballots

by Daphne Brown of DeSoto TODAY

More than 1,100 people or 4 percent of the 28,674 registered voters in DeSoto have cast early ballots for the Saturday, May 12, election.

As of midday May 8, 1,150 people had voted. Early voting ended at 7 p.m. Those who had not yet voted must do so from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on election day in the DeSoto Town Center atrium. This year's early voting figure is up from last year's figure of 1,011 votes.

Six candidates are up for election in three races for DeSoto City Council. Places 1, 3 and 5 are being contested by mostly newcomers. Place 1 candidate Bobby Waddle, currently on the city council, is seeking election to the mayor's post. His challenger is Harold Willis. Place 3 and 5 candidates Denise Valentine and Sandy Respess, respectively, are serving as board members on the Planning and Zoning Commission and DeSoto Economic Development Corporation.

Their challengers are Paul Benson for Place 3 and Randy Eppes in Place 5.

According to city Secretary Anell Shipman, usually when the city is electing a mayor, there is a larger voter turnout.

“Normally, there are two candidates elected each year but every third year there are three positions elected,” she said.

Early voting and election-day voting are held at slightly different places, Shipman said.

“We encourage people to follow the yellow, ‘Vote Here' sign,” Shipman said. “Early voting took place at the DeSoto Public Library, but election day voting is always held in the atrium.”

This year, the school district canceled its election with two DeSoto School Board members terms up for election. Curt Krohn and Rhonda Lemons, both elected three years ago, went uncontested in this year's race.

The school district held races in 2004 and 2005 when the city canceled both of its races.

There were 758 early ballots cast in the 2003 city council race while 663 votes and 779 votes were cast in the 2002 and 2001 early voting, respectively.

Shipman said her office has received very few phone calls regarding the election this year.

She said the unofficial election results will take place on election night with a Dallas County elections official present.

“We'll tally the results here but they won't be certified until Dallas County finalizes them,” Shipman said.

On May 15, the council is set to canvass the result and hold a swearing-in ceremony for the new city council members.

Also on the ballot are five charter amendments for consideration. The propositions to be considered by voters are as follows:

PROPOSITION 1

Shall Article XI, Sections 3, 4, 6, 10 and 11 of the DeSoto Home Rule City Charter regarding franchises and public utilities be amended to comply with state law?

PROPOSITION 2

Shall Article II, Section 2 of the DeSoto Home Rule City Charter be amended to clarify the composition of the boards and commissions of the city?

PROPOSITION 3

Shall Article IV, Section 7 of the DeSoto Home Rule City Charter be amended to clarify the number of signatures required on a petition for recall of a city councilmember?

PROPOSITION 4

Shall Article VIII, Section 1 of the DeSoto Home Rule City Charter be amended to authorize the expenditure of more funds on a bond project than were approved by the voters upon a vote of five of the seven city councilmembers after a public hearing with prior notice to the public?

PROPOSITION 5

Shall Article II, Section 1 of the DeSoto Home Rule City Charter be amended to eliminate term limits for the mayor and city councilmembers?