More than 131,000 people are registered to vote in McLennan County. Early voting for the local election started Monday, and so far, election officials have seen 531 ballots cast.
McLennan County Elections administrator Kathy Van Wolfe said there tends to be a drop between general elections and local elections.
"During the presidential election we saw probably about 2,000 people a day vote at [the] First Assembly [location] and a thousand at the records building but yesterday we saw 133 vote at first assembly so quite a bit different from Presidential election. We do expect a smaller turn out," Wolfe said.
Van Wolfe believes that the countywide proposition may drive people to participate in the election. McLennan County voters will decide on a tax on rental cars and hotels that would go towards a $34 million improvement to the Extraco event center.
In the city of Waco, City Council District 5 seat is up for grabs. Councilman Jim Holmes currently holds the seat, appointed by Mayor Kyle Deaver.
"It's a very dynamic time in the city right now," Holmes said.
Holmes said during his time on council they've tackled some big projects involving the growth of Waco.
"My first priority is police and fire protection.l want there to be best in class fire protection for the citizens of Waco," Holmes said.
Councilman Holmes said he would like to see the Police force expand from 250 officers.
"It's increased response times particularly in the outer suburbs of Waco. The response time out in China Spring and out in West 84 corridor where I represent goes up to 14, 15 minutes," Holmes said.
Also on his to-do list are improving infrastructure and making sure the riverfront plans have a strong impact.
But Holmes has a challenger - Deanna Leach also has her own vision for the city.
"I'm all for growth but I think we need to keep the authenticity of the neighborhoods as we do that and I am concerned with what's happening with the landfill," Leach said.
Leach hopes with a position on City Council she can improves Waco's recycling efforts.
"Something I'm just really passionate about is that we need to be do more recycling, 20 percent is not good enough in 2017 we can double that," Leach said.
There are five locations where people can early vote from 7 a.m. to 7 pm. until May 2. Polling places will not be open April 30.
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Robinson Community Center 106 W. Lyndale Avenue Waco
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Waco Multi-Purpose Community Center 1020 Elm Street Waco
- First Assembly of God Church 6701 Bosque Boulevard Waco
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Hewitt Public Safety Facility 100 Patriot Court Hewitt
- Records Building (basement of the building) 214 N 4th Street, Suite 300 Waco
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