The padlocking of traditional precinct voting locations in November without sufficient notice has not been forgotten. In the wake of redistricting, some longstanding precinct numbers were abolished and the precincts were consolidated with neighboring ones. Early voting has begun and will run until March 3 for members of the electorate voting in the primary elections and not abstaining in order to sign a ballot petition for Kinky Friedman or Carole Strayhorn. Check your voter card carefully before heading for your precinct on March 7. Sample primary ballots are available and so is the League of Women Voters issue guide.

Some of the abolished precincts have been among those with the heaviest voter turnout and the greatest political activism. Tomorrow night, on the eastside there will be forum for city council candidates at Emmanuel United Methodist Church (East Second and IH-35 frontage), following which people will adjourn to Red’s Scoot Inn (1308 East Fourth) at about 9 pm to hold a wake and mourn the disappearance of historic precinct 438, now no more.

Again: primary elections are March 7; May 13 will be election day for mayor, some city council seats, and the AISD school board.