THE BALLOT
A voter’s guide to Brazoria County elections
Volume 2, Edition 1
Candidate Information for the
May 9, 2015
General Elections
Printed by the Alvin Community College Elections and Policy Center
The Ballot
A voter’s guide to the May 9, 2015 general elections
The Ballot is a nonpartisan voter’s guide to elections in the Alvin
Community College Service Area.
The guide is produced by students and staff at the Alvin
Community College Election and Policy Center.
It is supported by a grant from the ACC Foundation.
For more information about this publication or to learn more
about the Election and Policy Center, visit
www.electionpolicycenter.org or call 281-756-3551.
1
Mission Statement
The Alvin Community College Election and Policy Center
promotes the value of participating in the local political
process. The Center hopes to increase involvement by
providing nonpartisan information on candidates,
elections, voting and other issues facing the community.
In This Issue
Voter Registration..................................................................................... 4
Voter ID........................................................................................................ 4
Important Dates, Times........................................................................... 5
Vote Centers.................................................................................................6
Precinct Locations .................................................................................7-8
Local Candidate Information.......................................................... 9-28
Important Links........................................................................................22
Opinions expressed in The Ballot do not represent the views of the staff and
students of the Election Policy Center or Alvin Community College.
2
The Ballot Staff
Spring 2015
Advisors
Elizabeth McLane
John Tompkins
Students
Rachel Chambers
Diana Diaz
Jake Fonke
Carolina Heiman
Taylor Stahl
3
Election Day Information
Election Day is May 9
All precinct locations are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Voter Registration
To register or check your registration status visit:
www.votetexas.gov.
Voter ID
Voters must present one of the following forms of photo
identification when voting in person:
• Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department Of Public
Safety (DPS)
• Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
• Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
• Texas concealed handgun license issued by DPS
• United States military identification card containing your
photograph
• United States citizenship certificate containing your
photograph
• United States passport with the exception of the U.S.
citizenship certificate
The identification must be current or have expired no more
than 60 days before being presented for voter qualification at
the polling place.
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Important Dates, Times
Early voting locations:
Alvin
Alvin Library
105 S. Gordon St.
Manvel
Courthouse North Annex
7313 Corporate Dr.
Angleton
East Annex (Old Walmart Bldg.)
1524 E. Mulberry, Room 144
Pearland East
Pearland Library
3522 Liberty Dr.
Brazoria
Brazoria Library
620 S. Brooks
Pearland West
Westside Event Center
2150 Countryplace Pkwy.
Freeport
Freeport Library
410 Brazosport Blvd.
Shadow Creek
Pearland Westside Library
2803 Business Center Dr. #101
Lake Jackson
Lake Jackson Library
250 Circle Way
Sweeny
Sweeny Community Center
205 W. Ashley Wilson Road
Early voting hours:
April 27-May1................................................. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
May 2................................................................. 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
May 4-5............................................................. 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Vote by mail:
Applications for voting by mail must be received no later than
the close of business (5 p.m.) on April 30, 2015.
Applications should be mailed to:
Joyce Hudman, County Clerk
111 E. Locust, Suite 200
Angleton, TX 77515-4654
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Vote Centers
This election will be the first in Brazoria County for Vote Centers.
Vote Centers, also known as the Countywide Polling Place Program, enables any registered voter in the county to vote at any Vote Center polling place on Election Day. Previously, a voter had to go to one certain
location based on registration address. The new program allows voting
convenience at work, on thecommuter route or home.
Anyone with additional questions may call the Elections Department
toll-free from anywhere in the county by choosing the proper prefix.
North County area
281-756-1662
Central & West of the Brazos area
979-864-1662
Brazosport Area
979-388-1662
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Brazoria County Voting
Voters can cast ballots at any location
Alvin
Clute
Alvin Library
105 S. Gordon St.
Clute City Hall
108 E. Main St.
Nolan Ryan Center
2925 S. Bypass 35
Danbury
Danbury Community
Center
6115 5th St.
Hillcrest Village
Municipal Building
200 W. Timberlane Dr.
Freeport
Angleton
Freeport Library
410 Brazosport Blvd.
East Annex
1524 E. Mulberry St.
Holiday Lakes
West Annex
451 N. Velasco St.
Holiday Lakes City Hall
195 N. Texas Ave.
Bonney
Lake Jackson
Bonney Annex Building
19025 FM 521
Lake Jackson Civic Center
333 Highway 332 East
Brazoria
Liverpool
Brazoria Library
620 S. Brooks St.
Liverpool City Hall, 8901
CR 171
Mims Community Center
4283 FM 521
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Manvel
Richwood
Courthouse North Annex
7313 Corporate Dr.
Richwood City Hall
1800 N. Brazosport Blvd.
Oyster Creek
Surfside Beach
Oyster Creek City Hall
3210 FM 523
Surfside Beach City Hall
1304 Monument Dr.
Sweeny
Pearland
Sweeny Community Center
205 W. Ashley Wilson Rd.
Drainage District
#4 Building
4813 W. Broadway
Fellowship Bible Church
1720 E. Broadway
Pearland Library
3522 Liberty Dr.
Westside Library
2803 Business Center Dr.
#101
Silverlake Recreation
Center
2715 Southwyck Pkwy.
Turner High School
4717 Bailey Rd.
Westside Event Center
2150 Countryplace Pkwy.
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LOCAL CANDIDATES
Alvin City Council
Salary: $300 per month
3-year term
CANDIDATES
Councilmember At Large, Position 1
Brad Richards
Hometown: Alvin
Profession: business owner
Previous public service: three years, Alvin City Council
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
I want to complete the pending projects. I also want to instate a city
manager as soon as possible. I would also like to move forward with
the 30-year comprehensive plan. I want to make the quality of life
better for the citizens and have a better life for the new generation.
Russell G. Thatcher
Hometown: Alvin
Profession: mechanical draftsman
Previous public service: none
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
I am very concerned about the erosion of the Constitution in our
community. I would like to restore our concept of the Constitution,
especially in the police department. I see Alvin as a microcosm of the
whole nation.
Unopposed Candidates
Councilmember, District B
Councilmember, District C
Adam ArendellKeith Thompson
9
Brookside Village
Salary: none
2-year term
CANDIDATES
Councilmember At Large
Vote for no more than three
Glenda Hundl
Hometown: Brookside Village
Profession: retiree, small business owner
Previous public service: two years, Brookside Village City Council
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
I am a hard worker and I would like to keep our budget balanced
and maintain fiscal responsibility. I am proud to say during my
time on council there have been major improvements to our police
department and I feel like we have a great force now. I would also like
to make improvements to the city website and make it a modernized
site that includes community information, permit applications
and information on services. I want to strengthen the relationship
between the citizens, the governmental body and the police force to
keep them informed through town hall meetings. I love Brookside.
I have lived here for 34 years and wish the best for the city and the
residents.
Jana Largent
Hometown: Brookside Village
Profession: sonographer, business owner
Previous public service: six years, Brookside Village City Council
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
1. Keep Brookside Village on budget and stay fiscally responsible
2. Ensure our ordinances meet state requirements
3. Keep Brookside Village strong and cohesive moving toward the
future.
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Joe Milstead
Hometown: Brookside Village
Profession: retired corporate pilot
Previous public service: 19 years, Brookside Village City Council
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
The sole reason I chose to run again is to oppose two candidates
also seeking a seat on the council. I feel I would have the city’s best
interests at heart.
Ramon Trevino
Hometown: Brookside Village
Profession: peace officer
Previous public service: none
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
If elected I would like to focus on obtaining grant funds for viable
city projects.
Edward Vandenberg
Hometown: Brookside Village
Profession: gunsmith
Previous public service: none
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
I would like to see the city managed better than it currently is. There’s
many things that I believe the city could do better. I believe we should
improve our roadway signage and general maintenance. I will work
to better adhere to open meetings regulations. I would also work to
establish an animal control department with the city to deal with
stray animals. The city needs to move in a different direction that
assists local businesses so we can grow and prosper as a community.
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Danbury
Salary: none
2-year term
CANDIDATES
Councilmember At Large
Vote for no more than 3
Wesley Baldwin
Hometown: Danbury
Profession: restaurant cook
Previous public service: none
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
I am running for Danbury City Council because I believe that I can
provide a new vision and get things done in Danbury that need to
be done. My number one goal is to get our roads repaired as soon as
possible.
Larry Linscombe, Jr.
Hometown: Danbury
Profession: Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission lieutenant
Previous public service: none
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
If elected to Danbury City Council I hope to work in harmony with
other members of the council to improve our city’s streets. I would
like to continue to improve the quality of our water supply. I also
would like to provide the police department, fire department and
the utility and public works departments with the tools they need
to effectively do the duties imposed upon them. Serving the citizens
of Danbury is most important and should come before any personal
agendas. Professional service to the community is the council’s way
of giving back to the community as a whole.
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Brenda Milligan
No information available.
George Phillips
Hometown: Danbury
Profession: retiree
Previous public service: six years, Danbury City Council
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
One of my goals would be to become part of a city council that works
cooperatively and considers the issues in light of what’s best for the
city while considering the rights and preferences of each individual.
More specifically, I would like to develop a set of priorities to improve
streets and drainage, including a schedule to begin the work during
the present budget year, complete some of the repairs needed in the
utilities department, stabilize the police department and provide
better, more “customer friendly,” service by all the city employees
while retaining the current tax rate.
Melinda Strong
Hometown: Danbury
Profession: teacher
Previous public service: ten years, Danbury City Council
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
My goals for city council are to keep nine months of city funding in
reserve in case of emergency, to make much needed repairs at the city
sewer treatment facility, to form a City of Danbury street repair plan
and make much needed repairs to city streets, and maintain health
insurance coverage for city employees. For the ten years that I have
been on city council, the city auditor has stressed how much we have
needed to save. He has just now given the clearance to tackle some of
the city’s problems because we have reached financial stability.
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Iowa Colony
Salary: none
2-year term
CANDIDATES
Councilmember Position 3
Robin Bradbery
No information available.
Kay Mudd
Hometown: Iowa Colony
Profession: retiree
Previous public service: 16 years, Iowa Colony City Council
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
We have accomplished much of what we set out to do. We’ve
established a property tax and built our streets. I would like to see us
make improvements to our city streets for our citizens.
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Councilmember Position 4
Richard Selvera
Hometown: Iowa Colony
Profession: veteran of U.S. Army, veterans services
Previous public service: one year, Iowa Colony City Council
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
I would like to provide citizens with representation, help manage
growth and encourage businesses to come to our city.
Kacy Smajstrla
Hometown: Iowa Colony
Profession: sales professional
Previous public service: none
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
I would like to make enhancements to the roads in the city. I also want
to provide a voice for the community. Being part of a community is
very important to me. As our city grows, I want ensure it grows in
the proper manner.
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Councilmember Position 5
Les J. Hosey
Hometown: Iowa Colony
Profession: senior applications specialist
Previous public service: none
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
I want to help make the people more informed and aware about our
community. I want to organize the town’s website so that everyone
has easier access to it. I want to prevent a situation that happened
previously where road names were changed in the community and
no one really knew about it. Everyone’s addresses changed without
knowing and this caused issues. They are going through the process
again and I would like people to know about it. I would like a more
itemized budget as well.
Kear T. Lor
Hometown: Iowa Colony
Profession: mechanic
Previous public service: none
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
My specific goal is to serve my community.
Nashir Uddin
Hometown: Iowa Colony
Profession: produce department at grocery store
Previous public service: none
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
I will do my best to serve the community.
Unopposed Candidates
Mayor
Michael (Buck) Holton
16
Manvel
Salary: none
3-year term
CANDIDATES
Councilmember Place 1
Adrian Gaspar
Hometown: Manvel
Profession: law enforcement officer
Previous public service: six years, Manvel City Clouncil
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
I want to be on city council so that the average citizen will have a say
in how our city is run, and what direction it takes as it grows. I want
to focus on safety, density, and code enforcement. Also, I would like
to see the majority of the consultants be placed on salary so that we
can drop the fees that citizens pay, in addition to saving city revenue
in the long run.
Jerome Hudson
Hometown: Manvel
Profession: semi-retired contractor
Previous public service: none
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
I would like to see the city move forward with development while
controlling the expansion. I would also like to keep our semi-rural
culture and identity.
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Councilmember Place 2
Maureen Del Bello
Hometown: Manvel
Profession: account manager
Previous public service: three years, Manvel City Council
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
I would like to continue business and residential growth, and
maintain a balanced budget without increasing residents’ taxes.
Lorraine R. Hehn
Hometown: Manvel
Profession: executive assistant in oil and gas
Previous public service: none
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
I feel passionately that our town can be something amazing; all we
have to do is make it that way. We have all the ingredients necessary
to be the best town in Texas, we can have great schools, quality parks
and trails, fantastic retail and restaurants – all without giving up our
small town history and charm. We have to work hard and put in the
long hours necessary to make that happen. As your City Council
representative I look forward to this task. As a Charter City, we
have a City Manager and staff that take care of day-to-day business.
The council’s job is to provide direction and the vision of where the
town is going. Council gets their direction from contact with the
people and I believe that this system has broken down. If elected
I will make sure that the will of the people is brought to life in our
city’s day-to-day business. I will be a friend of the citizens, to see
that they are heard and that they are represented as they should be.
I am a member of our town’s Planning, Development and Zoning
Committee. I was on the Charter Review Commission, and was a
member of the committee to develop the current Comprehensive
Plan for our town. I am always available to hear from any citizen, as
any and all input toward the future of our city is important. Please
contact me at [email protected].
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Manvel
‘For’ or ‘Against’
The repeal of the local sales and use tax in the City of Manvel
at the rate of one-fourth of one percent to provide revenue for
maintenance and repair of municipal streets; and the increase
of the rate of the local sales and use tax in the City of Manvel
dedicated for the benefit of a Type B Economic Development
Corporation from one-fourth of one percent to one-half of one
percent, to undertake projects as described in Chapters 501-505,
Texas Local Government Code, as amended from time to time,
including, but not limited to: streets and roads, drainage, and
related improvements; infrastructure and other projects that
encourage the location of retail businesses and grocery stores
to the City; projects to promote new or expanded business
enterprises that create or retain jobs; public parks, park facilities,
open space improvements, and landscape of public facilities;
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Pearland
Salary: $750 per month
3-year term
CANDIDATES
Councilmember Position 2
Adrian Hernandez
Hometown: Pearland
Profession: business owner
Previous public service: none
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
I would like to push for a strong needs assessment before we can
move forward with any initiatives. It’s not about what I want. It’s about
what the residents want to accomplish. The crux of my platform is
community-centric action.
Trent A. Perez
Hometown: Pearland
Profession: engineer
Previous public service: none
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
Pearland has numerous roadways and utilities that are failing and
in need of immediate repair. I will work with my fellow council
members to help fund the repairs of our aging infrastructure.
New floodplain maps will soon be adopted by FEMA which will
govern which Pearland properties will be considered inside of the
floodplain. These maps have serious flaws which will force Pearland
citizens to pay far more than they should in flood insurance. I will
work to create a coalition of other cities and counties affected by
these flawed maps to produce more accurate maps and reduce costs.
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Derrick Reed
Hometown: Pearland
Profession: attorney
Previous public service: none
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
Crime - I will target crime rate reduction by prioritizing public safety
funding and supporting civil servants
Community - I want to preserve our community identity by
encouraging smart and sustainable development throughout the city.
Commitment - I will remain committed to being a strong voice for
all citizens of Pearland as I have done as a Planning and Zoning
Commissioner.
Quentin Wiltz
Hometown: Pearland
Profession: director of commercial contracts
Previous public service: none
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
I plan to utilize my experience as a certified project manager to
provide oversight for $354 million in Capital Improvement Projects.
I will work with council to establish a stronger, more efficient
system of communication with the public by implementing town
hall meetings. I will also focus on information and technology
through formation of an Information and Technology Board called
ISIT (eyesight) -Internet Strategy and Information Technology.
By working to obtain valuable input from our citizens we can be
confident which city services or projects are important, and which
services can be reduced without sacrificing our quality of life.
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Councilmember Position 4
Adrienne Bell
Hometown: Pearland
Profession: doctoral student
Previous public service: none
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
I celebrate the beauty of Pearland, its growth, and diversity. I
recognize our excellence, as well as the challenges of where we
are today. I endeavor to create a future for our community that is
prosperous, fulfilling, and robust. My vision for Pearland is to expand
our recreation offerings, with facilities such as an entertainment
center for our residents that could become a destination place with
offerings of theatre, music and art. The traffic in Pearland, especially
along FM 518, is challenging for our residents. I will stay involved
in the process of finding solutions to our congested streets. I will
continue to work with the Pearland Police Department to improve
public safety. I also want to bring more city services to the Pearland
West area.
Keith Ordeneaux
Hometown: Pearland
Profession: energy manager
Previous public service: three years, Pearland City Council
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the council?
My goal on council has been to ensure Pearland is a better community
tomorrow than it is today. We have a growing city with an aging
infrastructure. We have a large amount of debt and I believe we will
need another bond election in the next 10 years. I want to see us pay
down our debt and increase revenue to meet our needs. Currently
much of what we are doing is being paid for via debt. There are also
many items we should be addressing that are not being addressed
due to lack of funding. One example is road maintenance that
should be funded at around 3.5 million a year and we will only spend
1.4 million this year with only .4 million being funded in the original
budget.
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Pearland Independent School District
Salary: none
3-year term
CANDIDATES
Trustee Position 3
Virgil F. Gant
Hometown: Pearland
Profession: financial advisor
Previous public service: fifteen years, Pearland ISD trustee
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the board?
My goal has not changed in 15 years of service. Pearland ISD can be
the best public school district in Texas and the nation while being
fiscally responsible. We are now rated second in the area and 17th in
the state in academics and we do it with $1,000 less per pupil than the
state average, making us one of the most efficient. Our athletic and
arts programs are first class. I will continue to strive to improve our
early college and work readiness programs. I will continue to ensure
improvement in academic success and remain fiscally responsible.
Mark Lewis
Hometown: Pearland
Profession: pharmaceutical sales
Previous public service: none
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the board?
As a school board trustee, I would like to help facilitate through the
superintendent, an open and transparent school system. This openness
and transparency would include input from the community, sharing
ideas to better aid the Pearland ISD school system. Furthermore, I
would like to find in our budget room for “no bullying” programs
throughout Pearland ISD. Also, I would like to find funds in our
budget to see more schools become dual language at the elementary
level, instead of most of Pearland residents sending their children
to private schools in Houston for such an education. I believe this
type of an opportunity would help us continue to produce some
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of the best and brightest students in Texas and the country. I also
believe keeping more parents and students in the local area would
drive our economy and local businesses upward. These are just three
of the many items I would like to work with our superintendent and
community to accomplish an even better Pearland ISD for all of our
children.
Kelvin L. Williams
Hometown: Pearland
Profession: electrical engineer
Previous public service: none
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the board?
As a dedicated and involved parent of two students currently
attending PISD, I have a vested interest in the district as an entity
which is important regarding the future success for our children.
One of my primary goals as a trustee is to be very active in all PISD
student activities. Maintaining current student performance, growth
of the district and community is highly anticipated. If elected, I
plan to remain current and knowledgeable with data provided to
the board by the district staff and the community data published by
other community officials. The best board members work to honor
the constituents by being focused, attentive, engaged, and proactive.
PISD outpaces other school systems in the state and is a force
nationally. This is the result of close attention to instruction and
assessments aligned with the curriculum. For me, the major issue
is instruction and the needs of PISD faculty and staff members to
have the best opportunity to maximize their instructional time with
students. I do not intend for this to come across overly simplified
or a narrow focused. Budget management and ways to enhance
the current budget would of course be an area of focus to ensure
that our students have access to the best learning tools available.
Board members must remain keenly aware of community, state and
national trends to support efforts necessary to address any and all
issues that negatively affect students. One such effort is the United
For Kids partnership. If elected, I would work to support and expand
such partnerships.
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Trustee Position 4
Sean P. Murphy
Hometown: Pearland
Profession: vice president in banking
Previous public service: none
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the board?
I have a firm belief that I should actively serve the community where
I live. I am looking forward to contributing professionalism, energy,
management experience, and a transparency to the Pearland ISD
Board of Trustees. If elected, my priorities would include making
sure there is a path for success for all students, ensuring that early
literacy is a priority at the elementary level, and making certain that
we hire and retain the most qualified staff. It is important to me
that we ensure a balance in the district for all students, whether it is
special education, higher academics, athletics, fine arts, vocational
training or college bound students. Finally, to have the best district
you must have the best employees. I plan to make it a priority that we
are competitive in our pay with the surrounding districts. We must
hire and retain the most qualified staff. We need to continue to work
with state officials to ensure that we secure the necessary funding for
Pearland ISD. There are current inequities in the way the districts
receive funding.
Andrew Solomon
Hometown: Pearland
Profession: law professor
Previous public service: six years, Pearland ISD trustee
What specifically would you like to accomplish on the board?
Six years ago when I was first elected to Pearland ISD’s school board,
my primary goal was to improve the district’s culture with respect to
high-level academic expectations and results. I’ve worked tirelessly
25
to meet that goal and to ensure that Pearland children received a
world class education. We were recently rated as the second best
district in the Houston area and the 17th best in Texas. We’ve
seen unprecedented gains in our SAT, ACT and AP scores. We’ve
initiated a GRIT program designed to teach characteristics that
lead to successful careers and an Education Foundation designed to
help teachers and promote innovation in the district. I’m incredibly
proud to have spearheaded these initiatives among others, including
our current vision of World Class Schools; these ideas have made
our district significantly better. If re-elected, I promise to continue
these initiatives and push our district to greater and greater heights.
I’m not satisfied. I seek continuous improvement and remain 100
percent committed to providing ideas which ensure that Pearland
children get educated in world class schools.
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IMPORTANT LINKS
Brazoria County Elections Divison
www.brazoriacountyvotes.com
Brazoria County Voter Registrar
www.brazoria-county.com/tax
Texas Secretary of State
www.votetexas.gov
or
www.sos.state.tx.us
Election and Policy Center
www.electionpolicycenter.org
27
Notes
28
3110 Mustang Road . Alvin, TX 77511
www.AlvinCollege.edu