Any Pearland or Friendswood resident who did not have the opportunity to vote early will have one last chance to cast a ballot Tuesday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. We previously shared a full list of ballot items to expect, and here is a rundown of some of the most notable contested races taking place locally:
Pearland ISD bond election
Pearland voters will weigh in on a $220 million bond set to address district growth, aging facilities and technological and security insufficiencies in Pearland ISD. A 50-member long-range planning committee, which met seven times since November 2015, presented the bond recommendation to the board of trustees May 24. If approved, the bond package will mean a tax increase of no more than 7 cents over a five-year span, according to the committee.
City of Pearland local option election
A private consulting firm, which was contracted by Maryland-based Total Wine & More, successfully petitioned the city for a local option election to be placed on the Nov. 8 ballot. The ballot measure could allow businesses to sell alcohol for off-premise consumption only. Pearland strictly regulates the sale of alcohol, only allowing businesses that have acquired a food and beverage license from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to sell mixed beverages—liquor, beer and wine. But to qualify for the permit, alcohol sales cannot exceed food sales, according to TABC. Liquor stores are currently forced to take up shop just outside city limits.
U.S. House District 14
Incumbent Randy Weber, R-Pearland, faces Democratic challenger Michael Cole for the U.S. House District 14 seat. The candidates were asked for their thoughts on legislative priorities, experience and challenges facing the district in our Q&A last month. Weber is running for his second term in office while Cole is running for his first term. Weber outspent Cole and received more contributions according to Oct. 15 campaign finance reports.
