Jack County voters above average

As we near the deadline for voter registration, Jack County Deputy Voter Registrar Ronda Lewis reports that the number of registered voters in Jack County is up.

Lewis said as of last week, there were 5,023 registered voters. The number usually runs around 4,700 to 4,800.

She said she attributes some of the increase to interest in the upcoming presidential election and the Jacksboro local option election to decide whether or not to legalize the sale of alcohol in the city. Lewis said she also saw a surge in registrations prior to the March primary election with an increased interest in local office elections.

I tried to determine the number of people eligible to vote in Jack County to figure out what percentage of eligible voters are registered.

I believe the number is somewhere around 5,943. I came to that number from the 2015 Census population estimate for Jack County and subtracted the 21.8 percent estimated population under the age of 18 then subtracted the approximately 1,000 people housed by the Lindsey State Jail.

If I am anywhere close to correct, then the number of registered voters in Jack County is 84.5 percent of eligible voters.

That’s substantially better than the national average of 66.8 percent of eligible voters registered according to Statisticbrain.com information compiled in August.

Good for us!

As for the other 15.5 percent, you have until Tuesday to get your form in to Ms. Lewis.

There have been some changes with the voter identification requirements. You can now sign a form stating you and you don’t need an ID to vote. That’s a gross oversimplification, but it’s the gist of it.

I know personally of two people — one in Young County and one in Stephens County — who had difficulty voting in the last presidential election because of ID. I never really understood exactly why they were unable to get their name on their ID to match their voter registration, but that was the case.

I thought voter ID was a good idea. Some judges disagreed. So be sure to vote early and vote often.

Ronald Reagan said “For this Nation to remain true to its principles, we cannot allow any American’s vote to be denied, diluted, or defiled. The right to vote is the crown jewel of American liberties, and we will not see its luster diminished.”

I am anxious to see how this all turns out.