HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — As we head into 2026, politics isn’t just playing out at the ballot box; it’s shaping the decisions made about your neighborhood.<\/p>\n
Voters in Houston and Harris County have a busy election schedule ahead.<\/p>\n
By the end of June, Harris County will have held at least five elections, including special elections, runoffs, and the March primary.<\/p>\n
“The opportunity to participate and own our democracy in 2026 is better than we have seen in most years,” said University of Houston Political Science Professor Nancy Sims.<\/p>\n
In 2026, voters will decide on several important races, from Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s seat to the 18th Congressional District representative.<\/p>\n
Sims explained that the year kicks off with the race to fill the 18th Congressional District seat, which has been vacant since early March after U.S. Representative and former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner passed away.<\/p>\n
“The one thing that’ll make me the happiest for the constituents of District 18 is they will have a member of Congress by the end of 2026,” Sims said.<\/p>\n
Sims said the race is between Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee and former Houston City Councilmember Amanda Edwards.<\/p>\n
But Houstonians in that district will have two elections within the span of 32 days.<\/p>\n
“The congressional district 18,” Sims said. “That’s been the head scratcher of ’25 and will continue to be that way.”<\/p>\n
The special election is scheduled for Jan. 31, with the primary for the next term taking place in March.<\/p>\n
“The winner of the January 31st runoff may not win the March 3rd primary,” Sims said. “So they would be a member of Congress nine months out from whenever they get sworn in. That is a high possibility.”<\/p>\n
Sims noted that U.S. Representative Al Green, a Democrat who has long represented the 9th Congressional District, will be on the primary ballot.<\/p>\n
“Because of Texas redistricting, he was drawn out of the 9th and placed in the 18th,” Sims said.<\/p>\n
At the city council level, Councilwoman Abbie Kamin has announced her run for Harris County Attorney, which means her District C seat will be open.<\/p>\n
“It’s everything kind of inner loop. It spans from Midland all the way to Garden Oaks, the high Montrose,” Sims said. “It’s a pretty big district.”<\/p>\n
Sims warned that having so many elections so close together could leave voters feeling fatigued.<\/p>\n
“It’s almost as if the frequency of democracy discourages it,” Sims said.<\/p>\n
Still, these elections have a direct effect on our daily lives.<\/p>\n
“The water out of your faucet, the roads you drive on,” Sims said. “That’s your local governments.”<\/p>\n
Sims pointed out that when fewer people vote, each person’s voice matters more.<\/p>\n
“We should all be waking up going, ‘There’s an election every month this year!'” Sims said.<\/p>\n
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