Time is running out to register to vote in next month’s Texas primary runoff election. The deadline is this coming Monday, April 25. Harris County is offering registration assistance to residents forced from their homes by this week’s floods.
Major contests on the Democratic ballot include the race between Ed Gonzalez and Jerome Moore to become the party’s nominee for Harris County Sheriff. On the Republican side, incumbent party chairman Paul Simpson is trying to stave off a challenge from Rick Ramos.
Mike Sullivan is Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector. He says his office is standing by to help register county residents now in shelters or temporary housing. “If you have been unfortunate, you’ve been displaced as a result of the recent floods, you can contact our office and we’ll assist you, either in updating your information, in making sure your records are updated, making sure that you have a new voter certificate. Whatever we can do to help, we’re going to,” Sullivan says.
Early voting for the runoff will take place between May 16 and May 20.
“During early voting,” Sullivan says, “you can vote anywhere in Harris County, if you’re registered. On Election Day, on May 24, unfortunately everyone has to vote where they live, in their home precinct. So anyone that’s been displaced or is unable to get to their local precinct, we just encourage everyone to vote early, and this is the way to do it.”
Many of those forced to flee their homes this week did so with no more than the clothes on their backs. Sullivan says residents who lost their photo IDs in the flood will be able to vote provisionally.
For additional help registering to vote, contact the Harris County Tax Office at 713-274-8200.