Waelder, Nixon elections set

Editor's note: This story has been edited due to a clarification on the City of Smiley elections.

City officials have provided updates on mayoral and city council positions that are up for the 2016 election, as well as early voting dates, times and locations.

The City of Smiley will hold an election for city council as council members Willie Ann Canion and Kathy Whitehead seats are up.

Smiley was going to cancel its election because its mayoral incumbent, Ellis Villasana, and its two council incumbents, Canion and Whitehead, were unopposed. The council voted during its Feb. 18 meeting to cancel the election if no one filed by the 5 p.m. Feb. 19 deadline.

However, on Feb. 19, Phillip Bain filed for a city council position. Bain, along with Canion and Whitehead, will be on the same ballot. Voters will be required to vote for two candidates.

Villasana is unopposed and will remain mayor of Smiley.

In Waelder, positions for Mayor Becky Ayala and council members Robert Tovar and Curtis Hadnot are up. Hadnot announced last week he is running for mayor, and councilman Roy Tovar is also running for mayor. Mike Harris, Oscar Melchor, Alfred Thompson and Annie Jackson are running for council.

In Nixon, former Mayor Hector Dominguez’s spot, and those of council members Doug Koenig and Patricia Dingler’s are expiring. Gloria Deleon, Jessica Smith, George Pena and Jason Torres are vying for council. Gladyne Finch is running unopposed for mayor, and Mayor Pro-Tem John Mercier will retain his council position.

Nixon and Smiley will have two weekdays for early voting polling places to remain open for a 12-hour period during early voting election days. They are May 2-3 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at City Hall. The early voting period will be from April 25; last day is May 3.

Waelder’s extended voting hours are on May 2-3 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. This will take place at City Hall. First day for early voting is April 25; last day is May 3.