Montgomery County March 3 Primary: Candidates & Bonds

CONROE, TX – Montgomery County voters are gearing up for a pivotal Primary Election on Tuesday, March 3rd, with early voting set to begin next week. Residents will head to the polls to nominate their party’s candidates for the November general election and decide the fate of two significant bond propositions that could shape the county’s future for years to come.

Early voting commences on Tuesday, February 18th, and continues through Friday, February 28th. Polls will typically be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, with extended hours and Saturday voting opportunities often available during the second week. On Election Day, March 3rd, polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters can cast their ballot at any polling location in Montgomery County, regardless of their precinct of residence, both during early voting and on Election Day.

**Key Decisions on the Ballot:**

Beyond selecting candidates, voters face critical choices regarding infrastructure and education funding.

**1. Montgomery County Road Bond: $160 Million**

This bond package is a second attempt to address the county’s growing transportation needs, following the failure of a similar bond in 2015. Proponents argue that the county’s rapid population growth necessitates significant investment in road improvements to alleviate congestion, enhance safety, and support economic development.

The proposal is split into two propositions:
* **Proposition A ($120 million):** Designated for major thoroughfares, including new construction, widening projects, and improvements on critical roadways across the county. These projects are often identified in the county’s mobility plan and aim to improve regional connectivity.
* **Proposition B ($40 million):** Earmarked specifically for local roads and bridges, focusing on maintenance, rehabilitation, and smaller-scale projects that directly impact neighborhood access and safety.

County officials supporting the bond emphasize that the projects are crucial to keeping pace with a booming population and that the current bond proposal has been developed with more public input and project specifics than its 2015 predecessor. They contend that careful financial planning means the bond can be managed without requiring an increase in the county’s property tax rate, through a combination of growth in the tax base and debt restructuring.

**2. Montgomery Independent School District (MISD) Bond Package: $326.6 Million**

Montgomery ISD, one of the fastest-growing school districts in the region, is seeking voter approval for a substantial bond package to address increasing enrollment and facility needs. The district projects continued student growth, necessitating new facilities and upgrades to existing ones.

The MISD bond is also divided into two propositions:
* **Proposition A ($318.9 million):** This major component focuses on facilities. Plans include the construction of a new elementary school, significant additions and renovations to an existing middle school and high school to accommodate more students, and various safety upgrades, maintenance projects, and critical infrastructure improvements across the district.
* **Proposition B ($7.7 million):** This smaller proposition is dedicated to technology upgrades. It aims to replace aging laptops and desktops for students and staff, as well as enhance network infrastructure to support modern learning environments and administrative functions.

MISD leadership and trustees underscore the urgency of the bond, stating that failure to pass it would lead to increased classroom overcrowding, reliance on portable buildings, and delays in essential maintenance and technology updates, potentially impacting the quality of education. Similar to the county bond, MISD officials have indicated that they anticipate being able to issue this debt without increasing the district’s Interest & Sinking (I&S) tax rate, due to projected student growth and strategic financial management.

**Key Candidate Races:**

Voters will also decide numerous state and local primary contests, selecting their party’s nominees for the November general election. Some closely watched Republican primary races in Montgomery County include:

* **Texas House District 16:** Incumbent State Representative Will Metcalf faces a challenge from Greg Parker. This race often centers on state-level issues such as property tax relief, public education funding, and border security.
* **Montgomery County Commissioner Precinct 1:** Longtime incumbent Mike Meador is being challenged by Robert Walker. This contest will likely focus on local issues such as road projects, county budgeting, and land use planning within Precinct 1.
* **Montgomery County Sheriff:** Incumbent Sheriff Rand Henderson is up against challenger Wesley Doolan. Public safety, managing growth-related crime challenges, and resource allocation for the Sheriff’s Office are expected to be key topics.

Numerous other county offices, including judicial positions, constables, and justices of the peace, also feature contested primary races.

**Voter Information:**

To vote in the primary election, residents must be registered voters in Montgomery County. Since it is a primary, voters must choose to cast a ballot in either the Republican or Democratic primary race, not both.

Voters must present one of the seven accepted forms of photo identification:
* Texas Driver’s License
* Texas Election Identification Certificate
* Texas Personal Identification Card
* Texas Handgun License
* U.S. Military Identification Card
* U.S. Citizenship Certificate
* U.S. Passport

For specific polling locations, early voting schedules, voter registration status checks, and sample ballots, residents are encouraged to visit the official Montgomery County Elections Administrator website at www.MontgomeryCountyTexas.org/elections or call their office directly.

With critical decisions on both leadership and funding, Montgomery County residents are urged to participate in the upcoming primary election to help shape the direction of their community and state.