Spreading some awareness -- be grateful for your county clerks. [View all]

[Geoff R. Casavant]

I was down at the courthouse today doing research on a case I'm involved in and I struck up a conversation with the clerks behind the counter. Next Tuesday is primary day here in Texas. What I didn't know is that the entire County Clerk staff will put in a full day that day doing their usual jobs, then get about two hours off, then they will come back and the entire staff will work into the night receiving the election returns from the precincts. Depending on how long it takes the precinct judges to bring everything downtown, they could be there well past midnight (the record apparently being 2 A.M.). Then they get to go home, grab a few hours sleep, and be back for their regular work at 8:00.

I don't know about anyone else, but Wednesday morning I plan to bring them a bunch of donuts.