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Port Arthur residents, poll workers press council on inconsistent voting locations and hours; council discusses county-run option
Summary
Multiple residents and poll workers told Port Arthur City Council May 6 that inconsistent early-voting hours and unclear polling locations caused confusion and likely depressed turnout. Council discussed using the Jefferson County Clerk to run municipal elections and directed the city secretary to include weekend hours for the upcoming runoff.
Several speakers at the May 6 Port Arthur City Council meeting urged city leaders to fix recurring confusion around local elections, citing inconsistent early-voting hours, unexpected precinct assignments and limited parking at the library polling site.
Lede and main point Constable Christopher Bates and poll worker Kayla Jacobs told council that voters arrived at incorrect locations, that early-voting hours shifted from what residents expected, and that the city's notices (including water-bill inserts and the city website) were insufficient to reach many voters. Both speakers urged the city to contract with the Jefferson County Clerk's Office to run future municipal elections, a change they said would standardize locations, hours and the online results interface.
Why it matters Speakers said the May 3 early-voting schedule and…
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