Early voting begins for Houston's joint runoff elections

Voters will be deciding who the next Houston mayor and at least half of the city’s elected officials will be as early voting centers open for residents to cast their ballots from Nov. 27-Dec. 5.

Vacant positions up for the Dec. 9 joint runoff election include:

• Mayor
• Council member, District D
• Council member, District G
• Council member, District H
• Council member, at-large Position 1
• Council member, at-large Position 2
• Council member, at-large Position 3
• Council member, at-large Position 4
• City controller

Ballot contests will vary by district, including the following differences:

• Voters in Houston City Council districts D, G and H will see seven contests on their ballot, and all other Houston voters will see six.
• District 4 voters in Baytown will elect a council member.
• Bellaire voters will elect a new mayor.

Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth is urging voters not to procrastinate when it comes to casting their ballots before the holiday shopping season.

“Voters should be aware that only citizens registered to vote within the legal boundaries of a city on the ballot may vote on the contests offered by the city,” Hudspeth said in a news release.

An expected 41 voting centers will be available for Harris County's registered voters to vote early from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. from Nov. 27-Dec. 5, with the exception of polls being open from noon- 7 p.m. on Dec. 3.