This December, runoff elections are happening across the state, and due to the relatively low turnout, your vote matters more than ever. As with any other election, voters heading to the poll need to be informed about who and what they’re voting for. In order to make your life a little easier, we’ve compiled a list full of resources that make being an informed voter more manageable.
City-by-city Resources
Harris County – Election Day: December 12th
There’s always a lot going on in Harris County and elections are no exception. There will be five runoff races for Harris County residents to keep an eye on in Houston, Baytown, Humble, La Porte, and Nassau Bay. Check out this Twitter thread by @HarrisCountyVotes for a breakdown of the races.
Houston City Council
City Council District B Runoff: Cynthia Bailey vs. Tarsha Jackson
Houston residents in District will be voting this Saturday, December 12th. Find out if you live in District B here. To find information about this election, visit this site. The Houston Chronicle gives a breakdown of Bailey’s and Jackson’s backgrounds in this article.
Baytown City Council
On December 12, 2020, the City Council will hold a Joint Runoff Election with Harris County and Chambers County from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
City Council District 5 Runoff: Thomas Parent vs. Jacob Powell
City Council District 6 Runoff: Mike A. Lester vs. Susan Cummings
Find information about these four candidates through the Baytown government webpage here.
Humble City Council
If you’re a resident of Humble, your city will hold a runoff election on December 12th. Read below to find out more about the candidates.
City Council District 5 Runoff: Arliss Bentley vs. Paula Settle
Community Impact put together this Candidate Q&A where you can read all about Bentley and Settle. Keep in mind, this Q&A was completed during the general election so you will find information on three candidates. For the purposes of this election, you only need to know about the candidates named above!
La Porte City Council
City Council District 6 Runoff: Gary Rohr and Robbie McLarrin
The city of La Porte will be holding a runoff election on December 12th. Voters may vote at any Harris County polling location being used for this election. Find the complete list at HarrisVotes.com/Locations.A sample ballot is available at https://www.ci.la-porte.tx.us/Archive.aspx?ADID=3473 or at City Hall.
Nassau Bay Mayor
Bob Warters vs. Ashley Graves
The city of Nassau Bay is holding a runoff election on December 12th to decide who its next mayor will be. Nassau Bay has put together this page for residents to learn about the candidates and make an informed decision when voting.
El Paso – Election Day: December 12th
In the West Texas town of El Paso, residents will be voting for the city’s mayor and two City Council seats. Election Day is Saturday, December 12th! Every El Pasoan will be voting for the mayor, but to find out what El Paso City Council district you live in, visit this site.
Mayor
Incumbent Dee Margo vs. Former Mayor Oscar Leeser
These two candidates came out on top of an initially crowded race for Mayor. To find out what these candidates stand for, visit Vote 411 or this El Paso Matters Voter Guide. Neither of these guides received a response from Incumbent Dee Margo. To learn about Margo, see his website here.
El Paso City Council
City Council District 2 Runoff: Incumbent Alexsandra Annello vs. Miriam Gutierrez
If you live in West-Central El Paso, keep a close eye on these candidates. Use this El Paso Matters Voter Guide to learn about candidates’ positions on a COVID-19 response, public safety, and El Paso’s role in immigration and border security.
City Council District 4 Runoff: Incumbent Sam Morgan vs. Joe Molinar
Those in Northeast El Paso will decide between Morgan and Molina as their District 4 representative. To learn about Morgan, visit Vote 411. To learn about Molina, see this voter guide by El Paso Matters.
Austin – Election Day: December 15th
If you live in the state capitol, there are runoff races for two AISD Trustees and two City Council seats. Early voting ends Friday, December 11th and Election Day is December 15th. Find out what AISD Board District you live in here. Find out what City Council district you live in here.
Austin City Council
City Council District 6 Runoff: Incumbent Jimmy Flannigan vs. Mackenzie Kelly
If you live in Northwest Austin, check out this Candidate Q&A by Community Impact as candidates discuss public safety, pandemic recovery, and affordability. Heads up: this interview was conducted for the general election, make sure to focus on runoff candidates Flannigan and Kelly!
City Council District 10 Runoff: Incumbent Alison Alter vs. Jennifer Virden
For those in West Austin, this is the race to watch (and vote in)! To learn more about the candidates, see this Community Impact Q&A that covers topics like housing policy, Lions Municipal Golf Course, and public safety. Once again, this interview was conducted for the general election, so be sure to zero in on Alter’s and Virden’s platforms.
AISD Trustees
AISD District 5 Runoff: Lynn Boswell vs. Jennifer Littlefield
To learn more about these candidates, access this Candidate Q&A by Community Impact. This Q&A covers candidates’ positions on a COVID-19 response, equity, school closures, and more.
AISD At-large Position 8 Runoff: Noelita L. Lugo vs. Leticia Moreno Caballero
In this Candidate Q&A by Community Impact, Lugo and Moreno describe the key issues facing AISD. Learn more about these candidates here.
Corpus Christi – Election Day: December 15th
There are three local races in this coastal city. Corpus Christi residents will vote for their mayor and two city council seats. You still have time to vote early as Early Voting ends this Friday, December 11th. If you plan to vote on Election Day, mark your calendars for December 15th. Find out what City Council district you live in here.
Mayor
Joe McComb vs. Paulette Guajardo
This race applies to everyone in Corpus Christi. To learn about these mayoral candidates, visit Vote 411. This guide includes candidates’ concerns, strengths, and perspectives on a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Corpus Christi City Council
City Council District 1 Runoff: Rachel Ann Caballero vs. Billy Lerma
City Council District 4 Runoff: Kaylynn Paxson vs. Greg Smith
If you live in either District 1 or 4, read this Caller Times article to learn about the candidates’ visions for the future of Corpus Christi. The guide focuses on candidates’ backgrounds and their positions on parks, desalination, and streets.
Texas Senate District 30 – Election Day: December 19th
Last, but certainly not least, residents of Texas’ 30th Senate District will go back to the polls on Election Day, December 19th. Early voting for this election ends on December 15th. Find out if this is your district here.
Drew Springer vs. Shelley Luther
For information on Springer, see this candidate questionnaire by the Denton Record-Chronicle. Note: the questionnaire was created before the general election and includes information on other candidates. For information on Luther, see this article that gives a preview of her legislative goals.
General Resources:
- To find out what your vote decides, check out our guide.
- Need a refresher on the ins and outs of voting? Our Make a Plan to Vote guide will have the answers to your questions.
- Find your local election office through this site.
- Have more questions? See the Secretary of State website.