Early voting begins with solid turnout

JEFF B. FLINN Managing Editor
Today, 06:00 AM

Boerne ISD teacher pay-tax package, homestead exemptions are hot items

Nearly 300 voters turned up Monday to Staci Decker’s Kendall County Elections Office to cast early votes, a turnout driven by the Boerne Independent School District’s teacher- pay tax incentive.

Monday was the first day of early voting ahead of the Nov. 4 general election.

Voters will see a list of 17 state amendments – including an extension of the homestead exemption for over-65 and disabled Texans — on the ballot.

But the school district’s Voter Approved Tax Rate Election, or VATRE, is what seems to be bringing people to the polls, officials said.

VATRE fund operational expenses for school districts, officials said.

“We’ve seen a little bit of (homestead exemption) amendment response, but I think it’s the Boerne ISD’s turnout,” said Decker, Kendall County elections administrator.

“We’ve seen a lot of staff come out, with Boerne ISD staff shirts, lanyards and badges.”

BISD apparel and gear have to be removed under state law that prohibits campaigning or the appearance of campaigning, Decker reminded voters.

The clothing is not allowed within 100 feet of a polling site.

More than just school staff are voting early, Decker said.

“The school district has been active; they’ve put their message out there in the community, with flyers, signs, word of mouth. People are aware,” she said.

Whether that results in a sustained rise of voters coming early to the polls is yet to be seen, she said.

But the 292 votes cast Monday are nearly double the 150 tallied on the first day of early voting in 2023, when there were 14 amendments on the ballot.

“We’ll wait to see what we get next week,” she said.

She expects to have 75% to 80% of votes cast in early voting prior to Nov. 4, although she said she has noticed a trend shifting back toward more Election Day voting turnout.

Kendall County residents can vote at the Kendall County Elections Office, 221 Fawn Valley Drive in Boerne, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday, Oct. 25, or 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 through Friday, Nov. 1 — except for Sunday, Oct. 27, when hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.