Voters have another week to cast their ballots early for the joint Nov. 3 Constitutional Amendment Election and the city of Port Arthur Special Election.

So far, voter turnout has been low across the county, as well as Port Arthur where four candidates are vying for the unexpired Position 7 seat.

Derrick Freeman, who is required to step down because he is seeking the mayoral seat, currently holds the position.

Naomi Doyle, Jefferson County elections manager, said as of Thursday a total of 1,253 voters across the county had cast their ballots early.

Of that number, 468 are voted in Port Arthur: 305 at the Port Arthur Public Library and 163 at the Jefferson County Sub-courthouse.

“Turnout is always expected to be lower in constitutional elections,” Doyle said.

On the Port Arthur ballot is Antoine Leonard Freeman Sr., Thomas J. Henderson, Reginald Trainer and Charlotte Moses.

Freeman, 45, is a Port Arthur attorney who would like to see more professional people on City Council. He believes his legal experience and his education will be an asset to the city.

If elected, he would like to bring more activities to the city’s youth.

Henderson, 88, is not new to Port Arthur politics. He is a former City Councilman who served 17 years in Positions 6, 3 and 8.

Some of the same issues — streets and drainage problems — are still facing the city, and continue to need attention, perhaps more now than ever, he said.

He also plans to put city beautification efforts at the top of the city’s “to do” list.

His years experience makes him the best qualified, as well as his ability to be a stabilizer on a board that is know for discord.

Moses, 52, is owner of Global Drug and Alcohol, a company that performs drug testing for various businesses.

She is executive pastor of Christian Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Port Arthur, and served on the city’s Economic Development Board until she resigned after filing for the Council seat.

She believes her experience, as a city of Port Arthur employee will bring a unique perspective to the Council seat. She worked in the city’s human resources department from 1988 to 2006.

Moses said the Council should strive to work more in unison while leading the city.

Reginald Trainer, 57, is owner of Trainer Lock and Key, a business that has been in operation for 14 years.

If elected, Trainer plans to concentrate on the need to improve city streets, and will look for ways to bring jobs to Port Arthur residents.

The city needs to bring its cultures together as one to create a more unified Port Arthur, Trainer said.

Voters have until Friday, Oct. 30 to cast their ballots early.

Dates and hours for the final week of early voting are: 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Oct. 26-28; and 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Oct. 29-30, Thursday and Friday.

Early voting locations are:

• Port Arthur Public Library, 4615 Ninth Ave.
• Theodore Johns Library, 4255 Fannett Road, Beaumont
• Effie and Wilton Hebert Library 2025 Merriman St., Port Neches
• Port Arthur Sub-Courthouse, 525 Lakeshore Drive, Port Arthur

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