Harris County – Early voting is underway for the special runoff election in Texas’s 18th Congressional District, though severe winter weather led to temporary polling location closures earlier in the voting period. A Harris County district judge has since ordered additional early voting days to make up for those disruptions.
Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth said the closures were made to protect voters, election workers, and staff as the storm moved through the area. “We coordinated with local election officials, law enforcement, and state authorities to ensure everyone stayed safe,” Hudspeth said.
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This runoff is for a seat that has been vacant for nearly a year following the passing of former Mayor Sylvester Turner in March 2025. The seat represents more than 800,000 residents, and voters are encouraged to make their voices heard in this election.
Court-ordered update
Following the weather-related disruptions, a Harris County district judge issued an order requiring additional early voting days to ensure voters are not disenfranchised.
The groups Houston Justice and Pure Justice sued Harris County, arguing that the cancellation of early voting on Jan. 25 and Jan. 26 violated state law. A judge agreed, issuing a temporary restraining order and warning that the closures could cause immediate and irreparable harm to voters’ rights.
Updated early voting hours — Congressional District 18 Runoff:
- Friday, January 23, 2026: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Saturday, January 24, 2026: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Sunday, January 25, 2026: Closed due to the winter storm
- Monday, January 26, 2026: Closed due to the winter storm
- Tuesday, January 25, 2026: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Additional court-ordered early voting hours:
- Wednesday, January 28, 2026: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Thursday, January 29, 2026: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Voters can check their polling location, sample ballot, and eligibility by visiting HarrisVotes.com or calling the hotline at 713-755-6965. Hudspeth also reminded voters that there are 17 early voting sites available across the county.
“Local elections matter even more,” Hudspeth said. “How you vote chooses how your neighborhoods are led… and how you live everyday.”
With a storm on the way, officials urge voters to take advantage of early voting to ensure their voices are counted.