Missouri City voters have another chance to decide two city council positions on Saturday, Dec. 8, when the city holds its general election runoff.
Early voting begins Monday, Nov. 26 and goes through Tuesday, Dec. 4.
Incumbent Mayor Allen Owen will face Yolanda Ford, former District A council member, in the mayoral race.
In the Nov. 6 election, Owen received 34.96 percent of votes in Fort Bend and Harris counties combined, according to unofficial results, while challengers Ford and Fred G. Taylor garnered 35.65 percent and 29.39 percent, respectively.
The other runoff will be for the council member at large Position 2. Incumbent Chris Preston will face Susan Soto. On Nov. 6, Preston received 47.40 percent of votes while Soto received 25.39 percent.
Jerry Wyatt, incumbent Missouri City at large Position 1 council member, was ousted by Vashaundra Edwards, who received 54.84 percent of votes. Edwards will be sworn in on Nov. 19 at the regular city council meeting.
Why is Missouri City having a runoff?
When candidates do not achieve a majority vote—50 percent or more—the council calls for a runoff election in accordance with the city’s charter. As a result of inquiries from citizens, the city created a website to answer frequently-asked questions:
- Who can vote?
Registered voters who reside in Missouri City subdivisions located in Fort Bend and Harris counties are eligible to vote in the Dec. 8 runoff election. - Where are the polling locations and what are the hours?
The early voting and Election Day polling locations have not yet been finalized. - Will there be absentee voting?
Yes; for details, please contact Fort Bend County Elections Administrator, John Oldham: 281-341-8670. - Will access to poll locations on Runoff Election day be affected by the Snowfest Parade?
The Missouri City Community Center will be open for voting on Dec. 8. A reminder that Dec. 8 is also the date of the City’s annual Snowfest Parade. At 7:15 a.m., Cartwright Road, and all intersecting roads, from 1092 (Murphy Road) to Texas Parkway will be closed. The roads will reopen by 11 a.m. - When will runoff election results be verified?
Results from the Dec. 8, 2018 Runoff Election will be canvassed at the Monday, Dec. 17, 2018 special City Council meeting. - When will the elected runoff candidates take office?
Elected officials will be sworn into office at the Monday, Dec. 17, 2018 Regular Meeting.
New District A candidate
In accordance with the city’s charter, Ford’s seat is vacant whether she is elected as mayor or not.
District A is located in the northern section of the city and includes subdivisions like Colony Crossing, Glen Park, Hunters Green, Parkway Trails and Quail Valley North.
Nominees for the position include Isai Gutierrez, Reginald Pearson, Horace Buckley, Pernell Davis, Rudy Sutherland, Kendrick Callis, Clifford McBean and Bobby Marshall. They interviewed for the vacancy on Nov. 19 during a closed executive session prior to the city council’s regular meeting at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 1522 Texas Pkwy., Missouri City.
“It is a long-standing practice in the city to do a citizen engagement, so the community can say who they think is the best person to present for the position prior to any decision being made,” said Stacie Walker, director of communications for Missouri City.
The deadline to fill the District A seat is Dec. 6. Walker did not disclose how many applications were received for the position.
If council members do not approve a replacement on Nov. 19, they will determine next steps at that time. However, if a person is appointed, he or she will serve in the position until the next election in November 2019, according to the city.
More information on the District A vacancy can be found on the city’s website.
