KARNES CITY – County officials approved extending early voting hours for for two days during the early voting period for the upcoming local runoff and democratic primary election for the office of county commissioner precinct 3.

County Clerk Carol Swize placed the item on the agenda for the July 16 meeting of Karnes County’s Commissioners Court.

County Judge Pro Tem James Rosales presided at the meeting in the absence of County Judge Barbara Shaw. County Commissioner Tracey Schendel was also absent from the meeting.

“The scheduled early voting hours are that Monday through Friday, during the hours that the county clerk’s office is open – which is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” Swize said. “We would like to extend that for two days, on July 24 and the July 27 to be open until 7 p.m., for early voting so that if people can not get there by 5 p.m., they have the opportunity to come before 7 p.m. on those two evenings.”

County Commissioner Carl Hummel made a motion to extend voting hours on July 24 and 27 until 7 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pete Jauer and the motion passed on a 3-0 vote.

In another election related item, Commissioners Court voted 3-0 to approve spending $1,660 to pay for the delivery and pickup of voting equipment for the July 31 elections. The expenditure includes rental of trucks, mileage expenses and labor expenses.

In other business, the court voted to approve the bond for Brenda Hedtke Janysek, tax assessor/collector.

County Judge Pro Tem James Rosales announced that two of his large expensive signs were stolen over the weekend. County Sheriff David Jalufka, who was present at the meeting, said that some of his campaign signs had also been stolen. Rosales asked that the public be aware and considerate of candidates as the local political campaigns continue.