AUSTIN, Texas — It may seem like we just finished having an election, but some of the Nov. 5 contests didn't end with a clear winner, meaning some local candidates are now facing off again.
Early voting for several Central Texas runoff elections has begun and will continue through Dec. 10. Election Day is Saturday, Dec. 14.
Here's a breakdown of the few runoffs happening in our area.
Travis County runoff elections
There are three races Travis County residents will decide this election, depending on where they live.
In Austin City Council District 7, voters will choose either Mike Siegel or Gary Bledsoe to be their next city council member after neither candidate received more than 50% of the vote during the general election. Bledsoe is a civil rights attorney and president of the Texas NAACP, while Seigel is a former Austin city attorney and the co-founder of the nonprofit Ground Game Texas.
Meanwhile, Austin ISD voters will decide between Fernando Lucas de Urioste and Lindsey Stringer for an at-large seat on the district's Board of Trustees. Stringer is a former teacher and the vice president of technology and business operations at the nonprofit National Math and Science Initiative, while De Urioste is a former substitute teacher and the director of advocate services at the Crikiel Law Group.
Finally, voters in Manor will choose their mayor – either incumbent Christopher Harvey or his challenger, Tricia Campbell.
Hays County runoff elections
Over in Hays County, voters in San Marcos and Kyle have another opportunity to decide their city council members.
In San Marcos, voters will choose between Lorenzo Gonzales and Roland Saucedo for City Council Place 5. In Kyle, voters in City Council District 5 will choose between Melisa Medina and Marc McKinney.
Are you registered to vote? When and where can you vote?
Before you can vote in a runoff election, you need to make sure you're registered. Here's how to check.
In Hays County, San Marcos voters can vote early or on Election Day at the Hays County Elections Office, located at 120 Stagecoach Trail. In Kyle, voters can cast their ballots early or on Election Day at Kyle City Hall, located at 100 West Center St.
During early voting in Travis County, voters can cast their ballots at any vote center where the "Vote Here/Aquí" sign is displayed. Voting hours are as follows during early voting:
- Monday, Dec. 2 – Saturday, Dec. 7: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 8 – noon to 6 p.m.
- Monday, Dec. 9 – Tuesday, Dec. 10: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Below is a map of early voting locations in Travis County:
On Election Day, Dec. 14, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., voters in Travis County can vote at any vote center where the "Vote Here/Aquí" sign is displayed.
Below is a map of Election Day polling locations:
What to bring to the polls
To vote in Texas, you need to have a form of identification when you go to cast your ballot at a polling location.
Here is a list of acceptable forms of photo identification:
- Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
- Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
- U.S. Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
- U.S. Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
- U.S. Passport (book or card)
If you don't have one of the forms of ID listed above and can't reasonably obtain one, you can bring one of the following in order to execute a "Reasonable Impediment Declaration":
- Copy or original of a government document that shows the voter’s name and an address, including the voter’s voter registration certificate
- Copy of or original current utility bill
- Copy of or original bank statement
- Copy of or original government check
- Copy of or original paycheck
- Copy of or original of (a) a certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certificate or (b) a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter’s identity (which may include a foreign birth document)
Reminder: Cellphones are not allowed inside polling locations. Voters can, however, print a copy of their sample ballot and bring it with them to the polls or bring written notes.