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Judge Extends Early Voting in Harris County’s CD-18 Runoff After Weather Closures

County officials did not oppose the emergency request, noting state law requires a judge to add voting days.

Overview

  • A district judge ordered all early voting locations to open 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Wednesday and noon–7 p.m. Thursday to restore hours lost to the storm.
  • Harris County closed all early voting sites on Sunday and Monday because of hazardous winter weather.
  • Houston Justice and Pure Justice filed the emergency lawsuit, represented by the Texas Civil Rights Project, arguing the cancellations violated election rules.
  • County attorneys told the court the clerk’s office was prepared to comply, explaining local officials cannot extend early voting without a court order.
  • Ballots cast during the added hours will be provisional under the Help America Vote Act; both candidates, Amanda Edwards and Christian Menefee, support the extension.