Polls opened at seven this morning in Abilene, and Taylor County voters have been filling voting booths since they opened . Some who showed up early said they’re focused on propositions more than candidates.
In addition to voting on the races for Texas State House, U.S. Congress and Texas Governor, local voters are deciding several propositions.
Proposition B would outlaw abortion procedures in Abilene. Even though Abilene’s last abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, left town nearly a decade ago, and the procedure is illegal statewide, the proposition seems to be a driving force for voters like Jeep Shanks at the polls this morning, “The most important thing on the ballot today was voting for life to make Abilene a sanctuary city.”
And Sandy Smith, administrative coordinator for Abilene Christian University's kinesiology and nutrition department, shares Shanks’ sentiment, “The right to life was very big for me, yes, and that Abilene became a sanctuary city. No abortions here.”
Other local propositions on the ballot include a bond proposal to be used for a new fire station and amending city charter language to include women.