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The runoff elections will decide the winner in four council races, two that feature incumbents. This is Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart:
“More name I.D. you have, of course that always helps a candidate. But also, you gotta represent your constituents. So you know, it’s interesting. Everyone needs to look at the candidates. Look at how they’ve represented you, and then go out and vote accordingly.”
For the 5th time since 2007 — counting general elections and runoffs — Jolanda Jones and Jack Christie faceoff for the At-Large Position 5 seat, while District A Council Member Brenda Stardig defends her seat against civic club president Helena Brown.
In District B, Alvin Byrd, an aide to term-limited Council Member Jarvis Johnson, faces nonprofit director Jerry Davis.
In the At-Large 2 race to succeed term-limited Council Member Sue Lovell, perennial candidate and pastor Andrew Burks goes up against former state Rep. Kristi Thibaut.
Stanart says if you didn’t get to vote in the general election, you can still vote. As far as whether you live in the city limits:
“Just having a Houston mailing address, does not always mean that you are in the city of Houston. Go look at your trash can, does it say city of Houston on it? Are you paying city of Houston taxes? You can always go to Harris Votes-dot-com, look yourself up. If you’re not in the city of Houston, it will tell you.”
There are almost 400 precinct locations that will take your vote. Stanart says it’s a pricey proposition that allows you to exercise your right.
“Looking at both of them together, it’ll be a little over a million dollars for the regular election and the runoff election. And the city of Houston, they’re the ones paying for this ultimately. That’s what they want to do, is keep on serving the citizens by providing plenty of places to go vote.”
PH: “Regardless if one precinct might just attract a trickle, and another might a mass?”
Stanart: “It’s also fortunate for you, is that you must vote in your precinct also. It’s not like early voting. So make sure you find out where your specific polling location is by going to Harris Votes-dot-com.”
He says historically, turnout on runoff election day is usually double of what comes out during early voting.
“We have about 920,000 people, registered voters in the city of Houston, and I expect we’ll have a little over 50,000. So, that’s gonna put us you know, maybe six percent if everything goes good. But hey, blow me away! Surprise me. It’s a wonderful Saturday, you don’t have any excuses.”