Early voting for Harris County primary runoff election will proceed as scheduled this week
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas -- While officials with CenterPoint and the Texas Department of Transportation continue to work around the clock to restore power throughout Harris County and the Greater Houston area, Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth announced in a news release on May 19 that early voting for the primary runoff elections will proceed as scheduled.
From May 20 to 24, 44 early voting centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the May 28 primary runoff elections.
The gist
The following six locations will not open for early voting, according to a news release from the county elections department:
- BakerRipley Middle School, 4414 Navigation Blvd., Houston
- Hardy Street Senior Citizens Center, 11901 West Hardy Road, Houston
- Richard and Meg Weekley Community Center, 8440 Greenhouse Road, Cypress
- North Channel Branch Library, 5741 Wallisville Road, Houston
- Lone Star College Victory Center, 4141 Victory Drive, Houston
- First Congregational Church, 10840 Beinhorn Road, Houston
What happened
According to Hudspeth, the Harris County election center sustained roof damage, lack of power and network connectivity following the May 16 storm.
READ MORE: Storm blew out 2,500 high-rise windows or skylights in downtown 'exclusion zone,' officials say
"Our hearts are with everyone affected by the storm. Although our office was also impacted, we have worked tirelessly around the clock to ensure that the May 28 primary runoff elections proceed as planned. Our office is committed to conducting well-organized, transparent, and fair elections. Under the current circumstances, the safety of voters and election workers remains our top priority," Hudspeth said.
On the ballot
Only Republican voters residing in Congressional District 7-which includes parts of southwest Houston, Harris County and northern Fort Bend County-or Congressional District 29, which includes parts of north and east Houston, will be able to vote in the Republican primary runoff election. Sample ballots for those voters will include:
- Congressional District 7 Republican primary: Kenneth Omoruyi and Caroline Kane
- Congressional District 29 Republican primary: Christian V. Garcia and Alan Garza
All Democratic voters in Harris County will have at least three countywide contests on their ballot, including the Justice, 14th Court of Appeals District, Place 3; the 486th Judicial District judge; and the county tax assessor-collector.
For voters registered within applicable districts, they may also vote in contests for state senator, District 15, which covers portions of communities in Atascocita, Bellaire, Houston, Humble, Southside Place and West University Place; state representative, District 139, which covers portions of Spring, Cy-Fair and Houston; and state representative, District 146, which covers parts of southwest Houston.
Sample ballots will also include a contest for Precinct 5 constable, which covers most of west Harris County, from Loop 610 to the county line and from Hwy. 290 to the county line.
SEE ALSO: CenterPoint Energy launches interactive map to check estimated day of restoration in your area
Such sample ballots for those voters will include:
- Justice, 14th Court of Appeals District, Place 3: Velda Renita Faulkner and incumbent Jerry Zimmerer
- 486th Judicial District judge: Vivian King and Gemayel "G" Haynes
- County tax assessor-collector: Desiree Broadnax and Annette Ramirez
- State senator, District 15: Jarvis D. Johnson and Molly Cook
- State representative, District 146: Lauren Ashley Simmons and incumbent Shawn Nicole Thierry
- Precinct 5 constable: Jerome Moore and Jerry Rodriguez
This article comes from our ABC13 partners at Community Impact Newspapers.
