We have some good and bad news to share with our readers about the upcoming elections.

First, the good news is that, for most Bee County residents, you can relax. Despite email claims to the contrary, your voter registration has not expired.

The bad news is, although a tentative date for the primaries has been set for May 29, the new voter registration cards cannot be sent out until the redistricting process is finished. And that might not occur for another year... We jest (hopefully).

According to Linda Bridge, Bee County tax assessor-collector, her office has received many phone calls and walk-in inquiries from people, some agitated, believing their voter registration has expired and they need to fill out new forms.

Wrong.

Bridge said the problem is not just local, but statewide.

“As a result of ongoing redistricting litigation, the mailing of new voter registration certificates is delayed,” she said.

“The expiration of your old voter registration certificate on Dec. 31, does not invalidate your voter registration.”

For those who have moved to another county, changed your home address or changed your name, you will need to update your voter information. See today’s front-page story for more details.

But for the vast majority of Bee Countians, you will simply have to wait for the politicians to quit haggling over the new district boundaries.

Bridge said that when the secretary of state’s office gives the go-ahead, then her office will mail out the new cards.

One can only hope the Texas D’s and R’s will reach an agreement before May, November, or when pigs take to wing.