AP Election Overview | Houston’s Upcoming Mayoral Runoff

The upcoming runoff election in Houston, set for this Saturday, will determine the city’s next mayor, with U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee and State Senator John Whitmire vying for the position. Houston, the fourth-largest city in the U.S., sees these two experienced Democrats competing for the top office.

In the initial November 7 general election, neither Jackson Lee nor Whitmire secured a majority, leading to this runoff. Whitmire led the group of 18 candidates with 42% of the vote, followed by Jackson Lee at 36%. The remaining candidates, including a write-in option, garnered less than 10% each.

The elected mayor will succeed Sylvester Turner, who is stepping down due to term limits. During recent debates, both candidates addressed key city issues like crime, infrastructure, housing affordability, and budget management. Jackson Lee also commented on a leaked audio where she is allegedly heard criticizing staff members, which she doesn’t remember and countered by commending her team.

Amid new state legislations that limit local Democratic influence in Harris County elections, where Houston is the largest city, this election is set against a politically charged backdrop.

Whitmire and Jackson Lee are not new to Houston politics. Whitmire, celebrating his 50th year in Texas politics, has outperformed Jackson Lee financially, as evident in the campaign’s financial disclosures. Jackson Lee’s election would mark a historic moment as Houston’s first Black female mayor.

Key Points for Election Night:

ELECTION DAY

The runoff is scheduled for Saturday, with the polls closing at 7 p.m. CT (8 p.m. ET).

BALLOT CONTENT

Coverage will focus solely on the mayoral runoff.

VOTER ELIGIBILITY

Registered Houston voters can participate, with the registration deadline having been November 9.

TURNOUT TRENDS

Typically, runoff elections see low turnout, as evidenced by the 19% turnout in Houston’s 2019 mayoral runoff.

DEMOGRAPHICS AND VOTING PATTERNS

Houston’s diverse demographics play a significant role, with Hispanics/Latinos being the largest group. Jackson Lee, with strong support from Black and Hispanic voters, needs high turnout from these communities. Whitmire’s constituency includes a diverse demographic mix in his state Senate district.

The AP will not call the race until a clear winner is evident, adhering to its policy of not making projections. Texas law allows for candidate-requested recounts under certain conditions.

EARLY VOTING TRENDS

In the November election, over half of the votes were cast early. Similar trends are expected in the runoff, with a significant portion of votes already cast in early voting.

VOTE COUNTING PROCESS

In the November election, initial results were reported shortly after polls closed, with the vast majority counted by the following noon.

For detailed coverage, visit https://bigbignews.net/election-2023.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Houston mayoral runoff election

More about Houston mayoral runoff election

• Houston Mayoral Runoff Election Details
• Profiles of Sheila Jackson Lee and John Whitmire
• Houston Election Voter Information
• Houston Demographic Data and Voting Patterns
• Associated Press Election Coverage Policies and Procedures