HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Voters in Texas’ 18th Congressional District head to the polls Saturday to elect their first representative in more than 300 days, as the closely divided Congress grapples with thousands of pending bills.
The special election runoff comes at a critical time when Republicans hold a narrow majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, with 218 seats to Democrats’ 213. Four seats currently remain vacant, including District 18’s seat following the death of Rep. Sylvester Turner last March.
“On the legislative side, it’s very important because almost a year, the citizens of the 18th Congressional District has not had any input into legislation that has passed,” said Michael Adams, professor at Texas Southern University.
Nearly 13,000 bills and resolutions await action in Congress, covering crucial issues from healthcare to veterans affairs. During this extended vacancy, District 18 residents have lacked representation on these matters.
Polling locations, including the Metropolitan Multi Service Center in Montrose, will remain open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today.
- For a list of voting sites, click here.
Voters who received mail-in ballots can return them one of three ways:
- Regular residential mail via the U.S. Postal Service. Ballots must be postmarked by 7 p.m. on Election Day and must be received by the county clerk’s office by 5 p.m. the next business day after Election Day.
- In-person drop off at 1019 Congress Street, Houston, TX 77002 on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You must have a valid photo ID, or show a List B identification and fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration. Only the voter can return mail ballots in-person.
- Common or contract carrier, such as a personal courier, FedEx, UPS, or other contracted mail service. Ballots must be received by 7 p.m. If the carrier provides receipt mark showing a time before 7 p.m. on Election Day, the ballot can be received by 5 p.m. on the first mail delivery after Election Day.
If you are voting in-person, you must surrender your mail ballot at a vote center.
The timeline for swearing in the winner remains unclear. The special election winner will join a House where vacant seats have resulted from two resignations and two deaths, including Turner’s.