In-person early voting is now underway in the race for mayor of the City of Mount Vernon, with voter interest at an all-time high. Early voting began yesterday, giving voters six days to cast their ballots in the contest between local businessman and three-term mayor Brad Hyman and local business owner and retired professional basketball player Greg Ostertag.
A separate article provides background on both candidates, along with their responses to public-submitted questions. Meanwhile, two candidates are unopposed for seats on the Mount Vernon City Council. Sally-Huong “Sally” Eng and Martin “Marty” Carrascosa will both take office. Eng is new to the political scene and will fill Place 2, replacing Harold Cason, who did not seek re-election. Carrascosa, who was appointed to an unexpired term in Place 4 following Sherelyn Robertson’s departure, was elected to a full two-year term in May 2024 and will continue serving.
Early in-person voting is taking place at the Franklin County Annex East, 502 East Main Street in Mount Vernon, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The voting site is closed today, April 21, in observance of San Jacinto Day, an official State of Texas holiday. Early voting will resume on Wednesday, April 22, and continue on weekdays through Tuesday, April 28, with voting hours remaining 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Requests for ballots by mail were due yesterday, April 20, and must have been received—not just postmarked—by the close of business at the Annex East location. So far, 10 requests have been received. According to Elections Administrator Yesina Valenzuela, all were submitted by qualified voters who had requested ballots for all elections for which they are eligible during the year.
Election Day is set for Saturday, May 2, with all voting for the Mount Vernon city election taking place at the Franklin County Annex East building from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Mount Vernon Independent School District has canceled its May 2 election after only three incumbents filed for re-election to the MVISD Board of Trustees. Josh Jordan, Lynda Baird, and Kyle Clayton were certified as unopposed and will be re-administered their oaths of office at the board’s May meeting.
This is an off-year for the Franklin County Water District, which will not hold an election in May 2026.
