Early voting begins

Early voting begins Monday in El Paso. The race for the White House leads the ballot, but there are dozens of other races voters can decide in the next two weeks.

In El Paso, residents have an opportunity to support or oppose the quality-of-life bond election. Voters can vote on whether to approve the hotel occupancy tax rate increase, the funds of which will pay for the construction of a Triple-A baseball park in downtown El Paso. The approval of the construction of a children’s museum and a performing arts facility are also on the ballot, along with improvements to area parks and the zoo.

El Pasoans will vote on who will represent them on Capitol Hill. Democrat Beto O’Rourke and Republican Barbara Carrasco are vying for the seat representing the 16th Congressional District, currently being held by Silvestre Reyes. Reyes held the seat for 16 years before losing to O’Rourke in the primary. Democrat Pete Gallego is challenging Republican incumbent Quico Canseco for the seat in the 23th Congressional District.

Another hotly contested race is for State House District 78, which includes West and Northeast El Paso. Republican incumbent Dee Margo once again battles Democrat Joe Moody. This is the third time the politicians have vied for the chance to represent El Paso in Austin.

In Texas, 13.64 million residents registered to vote this year, which is an all-time record.

There are 18 polling stations and three mobile voting sites available in the El Paso area during early voting. Voters can cast ballots at any location regardless of their home precinct.

Voters only need their registration card to cast a ballot.

Early voting runs until Nov. 2 . Election day is Nov. 6 .

(Oct. 2012 story)