Harrison County Elections Administrator Pam Brock encourages voters to participate in today's election as polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to cast votes on three issues that will impact Harrison County citizens.

"I've got three elections going on," Ms. Brock said, explaining voters will decide the fate of 11 state constitutional amendments, the creation of Emergency Services District 6 and how Karnack Independent School District will spend its wealth for the second year.

The elections administrator expressed her fear of having a low turn-out today since the turn-out for early voting was extremely poor.

"I do anticipate an extremely low turn-out," she said. "(Only) 2.7 percent of our registered voters turned out and voted."

There are 40,714 voters registered in Harrison County.

"I would hope for a larger turn-out, but realistically, I anticipate a low turn-out," the elections administrator said.

Ms. Brock stressed how important all elections are, especially the ballot for the 11 proposed constitutional amendments.

"These amendments affect us," she said. "Some have to do with taxes, one with veterans and they're very important."

She noted historically, there has always been a low turn-out in elections for constitutional amendments, however, this year's turn-out is probably the worse she has seen in 10 years.

"In the past, there's been amendments that had issues on the ballot that people felt strongly about," she said.

"These amendments haven't gotten the attention, but these will affect your everyday life," she reiterated.

Ms. Brock thinks the low-turnout for such elections is probably due to people not understanding quite what they are voting for.

"Some don't vote because they don't understand the wording," she explained. "Some people feel intimidated."

She encourages voters, however, to research the amendments to gain a better understanding.

"Our state representatives and state senator have things on their Web sites to explain the amendments," she said. "I (wish) voters take advantage of this opportunity to get more comfortable. They're (the amendments) going to affect them."

Ms. Brock isn't the only one concerned about voter turn-out today. She said Cozzetta Robinson, superintendent for Karnack ISD, is also hoping for more participation as voters in that area decide on how their school district would share its extra revenue after being declared a Chapter 41 district.

"This is an important election to KISD," Ms. Brock said. "She's (the superintendent) very concerned that voters aren't' turning out and I would (be) too.

"Chapter 41 is the Robin Hood (share the wealth) Act. If voters don't decide, then it's left up to the state to determine how that would be spent," she explained.

Ms. Brock is hoping more Woodlawn residents will participate in the election for the Emergency Services District 6 as well, especially since early voting's turn-out was low.

"These people have not turned out at my location or at the Woodlawn Community Center," she said.

"I wish that these people (Harrison County registered voters) could take more interest in local elections because they are important and affect our everyday lives," she added.

Ms. Brock said she is aware that many people wait for election day to vote and she hopes that is the case for these elections.

"We're always hopeful," she said.

Residents will need to cast their votes at one of the six polling sites and bring their voter registration card or a picture ID such as a driver's license or work ID.

"I encourage them to get out and vote," Ms. Brock stressed. "We have some wonderful election workers. I encourage them to go see my election workers."

POLLING SITES

Polling sites for Tuesday's Constitutional Amendment, Karnack ISD Chapter 41 and Emergency Services District No. 6 elections are:

Marshall Civic Center, 2502 East End Blvd: Precincts 1, 2, 3, 8, 10, 11, 21 and 22.

T.J. Taylor Community Center, 15642 Farm-to-Market Road 134, Karnack: Precincts 5 and 17.

Gold Hall, 101 Elm St. in Hallsville: Precincts 12, 13, 19 and 25.

Woodlawn Community Center, 199 Oaklawn Terrace, Woodlawn: Precincts 4, 9, 14 and 18.

Harleton Community Center, 4335 Community St., Harleton: Precincts 15, 16, 23 and 24.

Waskom Sub-Courthouse, 165 Texas Ave., Waskom: Precincts 6, 7 and 20.

Voting at all sites is from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.