Lake Highlands, it is time to get out your vote!

For the City of Dallas, City Council Places 1-14 and two propositions are on the ballot.

Lake Highlanders specifically will be participating in the District 10 City Council Race.

Incumbent council member Jerry Allen faces opponent Dan Sanders.

Respective websites are: http://dallascityhall.com/government/CityCouncil/District10/index.html and http://www.donsandersdallas.com.

Proposition 1 is related to the convention center hotel being proposed by the Dallas City Council.

For more information on the issue, visit the websites for groups both for and against the proposition at http://www.votenodallas.com/home.html and http://www.notaxpayerhotel.com.

Proposition 2 is a call for a referendum whenever the city provides more than $1 million in financial incentives for a development.

Specifically it would require the City of Dallas to hold an election, if 500 Dallas citizens sign a petition, to obtain voter approval every time the city wants to offer such incentives to private developers of hotels, condominiums and retails facilities.

Election Day is Saturday May 9th and lasts from 7am to 7pm.

You must vote in your precinct on Election Day. To locate your voting precinct or view a sample ballot, use the Dallas County Elections site: http://www.dalcoelections.org/voters.asp.

If you prefer, you can participate in early voting.

Early Voting Dates and Times:
* April 27 through May 2, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
* May 3, from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm
* May 4 and 5, from 7:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Please visit Dallas County's list of early voting locations, as some of the locations have recently changed: http://www.dalcoelections.org/may92009/EARLYVOTINGLocations.htm.

What to take when you vote:

Whether voting early or on Election Day, remember to take your Voter Registration Certificate or another acceptable form of ID such as your drivers license, a photo ID, passport, birth certificate, or citizenship papers.

When voting without a Voter Registration Certificate or appropriate ID, you may have to sign an affidavit or fill out a provisional ballot.

You are permitted to take a sample ballot or other written material into the voting booth to assist you while voting.

If you have any additional questions you can contact the Dallas County Elections Department at 214-819-6300 or visit the Texas Secretary of State website at http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/index.shtml.

"Voting is one of the few things where boycotting in protest clearly makes the problem worse rather than better." - Jane Auer

So get out your vote, Lake Highlands!