Write-in candidates file for two county positions

Two county positions are no longer unopposed in the November election after write-in candidates filed last week.

Kendra McClatchey, who is serving as a Young County chief deputy tax assessor-collector, filed Tuesday, July 30 for the position of Young County Tax Assessor-Collector. 

Walter Harvey, who is serving as a Young County deputy county clerk, filed Thursday, Aug. 1 for the position of Young County Clerk.

McClatchey is currently running against incumbent Christy Centers, who won the primary election in March. Harvey is currently running against Tina Gilliam, who was the sole filer in the March primary election and is also serving as a deputy county clerk.

The period is still open to file a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy along with the filing fee, or petition in lieu of a filing fee, which must be submitted to the Young County Judge no later than 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19.

About a month after Harvey was sworn in as a deputy clerk in November 2023, he filed his declaration of intent to run as an independent candidate for Young County Clerk. Harvey filed his application and petition Thursday, June 27 to run for the seat in the November election.

His petition to run as an independent candidate was challenged Tuesday, July 2 by Gilliam, who was claiming a number of signatures on his petition were invalid. 

Young County Judge Win Graham served as the voting authority on the challenge. 

After a review of findings from the Young County Elections Administrator, the county judge made the determination Monday, July 15 to reject the petition due to not having the required signatures.

The last day to register to vote in the November election is Monday, Oct. 7. The last day to apply for a ballot by mail is Friday, Oct. 25. 

Early voting in the November election will be held Monday, Oct. 21 through Friday, Nov. 1. Election day will be Tuesday, Nov. 5. 

For Young County election information, visit co.young.tx.us/page/young.Elections.