Election 2018: Early voting underway in Montgomery County; County Judge seat 'hotly contested'

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas -- Early voting is underway in Texas.

In Montgomery County, several big seats are up for grabs, including County Commissioner Precinct 2, County Commissioner Precinct 4, Justice of the Peace for Precincts 3 and 4, and County Judge.

Mark Keough, who along with Jay Stittleburg is running against incumbent Craig Doyal, said the County Judge position is hotly contested.

"The fact of the matter is something has got to change in Montgomery County, so I stepped up," Keough said. "Hopefully I'll be able to restore some things that have been lost. Are we asking too much for public officials to honor the oath, honor the law, honor the will of the people? I don't think so. Whether it has to do with taxes, mobility or restoring trust and ethical standards."

Voter turnout is typically lower when it's not a presidential election, Keough said, but the county simply cannot have that. "We need a full blown turnout," he said. "We have good candidates to make a real change, whether it's in our commissioner's office, whether it's our district clerk, county clerk, district judges … there's a lot going on. Even county treasurer. These are all good people looking for basic reform in Montgomery County. We are in a whole new realm."

J.J. Hollie, president and CEO of The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce, encourages everyone to get out and vote.

"Who else is going to have a voice unless you take it?" Hollie said. "It’s so important for us to get out and vote. We owe it to ourselves."

Early voting ends March 2. Election Day is March 6.

For full details and more information, visit the Woodlands Online Election Guide here.