Low voter turnout for November Special Election




The City of Jourdanton swore in their newly elected councilmembers, Norma Q. Ortiz and incumbent “Patsy” Patricia J. Elizabeth Tymrak-Daughtrey at their Nov. 15 meeting. Incumbent and re-elected councilmember Karen Pesek was not present. Pictured are outgoing councilmember Chester Gonzales, Ortiz, Mayor Robert Williams, Tymrak- Daughtrey and outgoing councilmember Raul Roy Morales. CADE ANDREWS | PLEASANTON EXPRESS

The City of Jourdanton swore in their newly elected councilmembers, Norma Q. Ortiz and incumbent “Patsy” Patricia J. Elizabeth Tymrak-Daughtrey at their Nov. 15 meeting. Incumbent and re-elected councilmember Karen Pesek was not present. Pictured are outgoing councilmember Chester Gonzales, Ortiz, Mayor Robert Williams, Tymrak- Daughtrey and outgoing councilmember Raul Roy Morales. CADE ANDREWS | PLEASANTON EXPRESS

According to Atascosa County Elections Administrator Janice Ruple, of the 29,400 registered voters in Atascosa County, only 1,761 voters showed up to the polls during the November 2021 Special Election.

City, ISD elections

Locally, the Cities of Jourdanton and Christine along with Jourdanton ISD elections were held for city council and District 5 representatives.

According to the Atascosa County Elections Office, there are 2,484 registered voters in the City of Jourdanton. Four candidates threw their hats in the ring to sit on the Jourdanton City Council with only three seats opened. Here are the results of that election:

– Karen Pesek (incumbent) with 322 votes

– “Patsy” Patricia J. Elizabeth Tymrak-Daughtrey (incumbent) with 198 votes

– Norma Q. Ortiz with 215

– Veronica Medina with 121

Of the 583 registered votes in Jourdanton ISD District 5, only 129 showed up to the polls to elect incumbent Greg Vyvlecka as their trustee. Vyvlecka beat out opponent Jennifer Iruegas, 96 to 33 votes.

Karen Pesek Jourdanton City Council

Karen Pesek Jourdanton City Council

In the City of Christine, there are 238 registered voters. Five candidates sought out three open seats on the city council with the results as follows:

– David Delgado with 42 votes

– Matthew Jerkins with 37 votes

– Daylon Maddox with 37 votes

– Patti Bowen with 25 votes

– Susan Barker Smith with 16 votes

Constitutional Amendments

Also on the November ballot were eight Constitutional Amendments that Texans had to vote either FOR or AGAINST. Here is how Atascosa County voted on the Constitutional Amendments:

• Proposition 1 (1,481 FOR and 258 AGAINST) – Allowing charitable raffles at rodeo events by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association or the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. Unauthorized raffles can be considered illegal gambling under Texas law.

• Proposition 2 (874 FOR and 855 AGAINST) – Authorizing counties to issue bonds or notes to raise funds for transportation and infrastructure in underdeveloped areas. Cities and towns already have the authority to fund projects with this financing method.

Greg Vyvlecka Jourdanton ISD District 5

Greg Vyvlecka Jourdanton ISD District 5

• Proposition 3 (1,342 FOR and 393 AGAINST) – Banning the state from prohibiting or limiting religious services, including those in churches and other places of worship.

• Proposition 4 (1,119 FOR and 595 AGAINST) – Requiring candidates to have 10 years of experience practicing law in Texas to be eligible for election to the Texas Supreme Court, the Court of Criminal Appeals or a Texas court of appeals.

• Proposition 5 (1,119 FOR and 586 AGAINST) – Allowing the Commission on Judicial Conduct to have oversight of candidates running for judicial office by accepting complaints or reports, conducting investigations and reprimanding them.

• Proposition 6 (1,535 FOR and 200 AGAINST) – Allowing residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities to designate one essential caregiver who cannot be denied in-person visitation rights.

• Proposition 7 (1,545 FOR and 194 AGAINST) – Limiting school district property taxes incurred by the surviving spouse of a person with disabilities who is older than 65 and has died.

• Proposition 8 (1,563 FOR and 175 AGAINST) – Expanding eligibility for residential homestead property tax exemptions to include spouses of military members killed or fatally injured in the line of duty.

According to the Texas Tribune, turnout for this year was lower than the last constitutional amendment election in 2019, with only about 9% of registered Texan voters casting a ballot. Also, the unofficial results show that Texans approved all eight amendments, including one proposal barring the state from limiting religious services, even during disasters, and another changing eligibility requirements for judges. The unofficial results from the Secretary of State are:

• Proposition 1 (1,242,625 FOR and 239,783 AGAINST)

• Proposition 2 (931,453 FOR and 544,834 AGAINST)

• Proposition 3 (925,447 FOR and 557,093 AGAINST)

• Proposition 4 (845,030 FOR and 592,585 AGAINST)

• Proposition 5 (852,336 FOR and 586,686 AGAINST)

• Proposition 6 (1,293,922 FOR and 178,665 AGAINST)

• Proposition 7 (1,285,384 FOR and 190,109 AGAINST)

• Proposition 8 (1,291,920 FOR and 180,179 AGAINST)

One response to “Low voter turnout for November Special Election”

  1. Steven Quiroga says:

    If they had early voting on the weekends I think voting numbers would had been up.
    Working in San Antonio and having to leave earlier in the morning because of traffic issues. And the late night they did wasn’t much help either when it takes a hour and a half to get back home. Just saying.

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