November Election Early Voting Begins

Early voting began Monday morning on 11 proposed state constitutional amendments, a local option election for Van Zandt County Precinct 1 and a sales and use tax proposition in the city of Canton.

Speaking Tuesday morning, Van Zandt County Clerk Charlotte Bledsoe said 66 voters were counted on the first day of early voting, which continues through Oct. 30.

"It was about a 50-50 split of voters in Precinct 1 and voters from the other county precincts," Bledsoe said.

Precinct 1 voters are making a decision on whether to allow alcoholic beverage sales in that part of the county, which includes Edgewood, Fruitvale, Grand Saline and a small portion of northeast Canton. There are three options on the ballot, one for beer and wine sales for off-premise consumption, one for all alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption and one for mixed beverages sold by food and beverage certificate holders, also known as liquor by the drink in restaurants.

Concerned Citizens of Van Zandt County, a local group opposing legalized alcoholic beverage sales in the county, organized a prayer event Monday morning in Canton. It was originally scheduled to take place outside the Van Zandt County Courthouse but was moved to First Baptist Church in Canton.

A phone message left for Danny Eason, president of the group, was not returned by press time Tuesday.

Bledsoe said distance marker signs went up on the three public access doors at the county courthouse. Electioneering may not take place within 100 feet of those doors, she noted.

Canton residents voting in this election also have a local proposition on their ballot for a Type B sales and use tax.