Early voting started Monday morning for city council, mayoral and school board elections across North Texas. Early voting runs through May 2; election day is Saturday, May 6.
In Fort Worth, voters are choosing a mayor and city council members. Current Mayor Mattie Parker is running for reelection against four others: Alyson Kennedy, Jennifer Castillo, Adrian Devine Smith and Kenneth Bowens, Jr.
The Fort Worth City Council is also expanding to ten seats.
Four years ago, Tarrant County Elections says 8.35% of the voting age population participated. Voters in Fort Worth Monday morning said this election may draw less interest, but the issues local candidates face affect people more directly.
"This is not a Democrat or Republican thing. This is how to get a pothole filled at the end of your street," one man said.
"These are the elections that ensure whether or not your streets get fixed, whether or not you get lighting," a woman said.
In addition to local elections, some cities have ballot issues.
Voters in Arlington will determine a $278 million bond for road work, parks, city facilities, a new police station and a new fire station. The bond would not affect the tax rate.
Voters in McKinney will determine a $200 million bond to expand McKinney National Airport. The measure would pay for the design and construction of a passenger terminal with four gates.
The City of McKinney says the airport would start with 12 daily departures and increase to 18 by 2040. The city says the airport now houses corporate fleets and privately owned aircraft, but the expansion would offer "a transportation alternative to the large and medium hub airports within the Dallas/Fort Worth area." The airport expansion would not lead to a change in the tax rate.
People can download sample ballots from:
Dallas County, here
Tarrant County, here
Collin County, here
Denton County, here
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