Early voting has started in Houston for the December 13 runoff elections for the city’s At-Large Position 4 council seat and a Houston Community College trustee race. Harris County voters can cast ballots at any vote center through December 9, with Election Day scheduled for December 13.
The runoffs follow a busy November election where no candidate received more than 50 percent, leading to one-on-one contests. Local media, including ABC13, have noted early voting, reminding residents during newscasts alongside weather and community updates.
Who’s on the ballot
The marquee City Hall matchup for At-Large Position 4 features attorney Alejandra Salinas facing former councilman Dwight Boykins. Voters in Houston Community College District II will also settle their trustee race in a December runoff. Official candidate rosters and ballot notices for the city contest are posted online, according to the City of Houston. Local coverage has tracked the November vote totals and how the top two finishers landed in this head-to-head, as reported by Houston Chronicle.
Where and when to vote
Harris County’s early vote centers opened Monday and will stay open through December 9. Most sites are scheduled for roughly 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, with hours that shift on weekends. Voters can cast a ballot at any Harris County vote center, regardless of home precinct. The county also notes that the deadline to apply for a ballot by mail is on Tuesday, as noted by the Harris County Clerk's Office.
Why this runoff matters
Runoff elections in Houston usually draw a fraction of the turnout seen in November, which means a relatively small group of voters can tilt the city’s policy direction for the next term. Calling out that dynamic, the Houston Chronicle’s editorial board urged residents not to sit this one out and issued endorsements in both contests, arguing that early and runoff ballots can punch well above their weight in local politics, as stated by Houston Chronicle.
What voters should bring
Texas requires voters to show one of seven approved photo IDs when voting in person. Those without any of the listed IDs can instead fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and present a supporting document. The statewide roster of acceptable IDs includes a Texas driver license, Election Identification Certificate, personal ID card, handgun license, United States passport, military ID, or a U.S. citizenship certificate, as mentioned by the VoteTexas.
Election gear and safeguards
With a tight runoff timeline, state officials have reminded counties to complete specific checks before the first voter walks in. The Texas Secretary of State’s advisory for the December 13 runoff spells out testing rules for electronic pollbooks under SB 2166, along with other pre-election procedures meant to verify that equipment is functioning properly and that vote counts begin at zero, as detailed by the Texas Secretary of State.
Voters planning to cast a ballot this week are encouraged to review their sample ballot and check voting hours at a nearby vote center. Eyewitness News has recent coverage of early turnout, and the Harris County elections website provides current polling locations and sample ballot information.
