Early voting has already started for the Dec. 14 runoff election in Austin. Do you need to vote again? What races are up? Why is there a runoff election? We’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know about the election:
🙋 Why Does a Runoff Happen?
A candidate has to receive a majority of votes, or 50% plus one, to win an election. When that doesn’t happen, the top two challengers move on to a runoff election.
🏃 The Runoff Includes Three Races.
Depending on where they live, voters may decide three races this month: Austin City Council District 7, Manor mayor, and Austin Independent School District’s At-Large Position 8 on the school board.
- Austin City Council District 7
Mike Siegel and Gary Bledsoe were the top two candidates out of six who ran for District 7 in November. Siegel led Bledsoe with about 40% of the vote in November and Bledsoe had 19%.
- Austin Independent School District board
Six people ran for an at-large seat on AISD’s school board last month, and Fernando Lucas de Urioste and Lindsey Stringer were the two candidates with the most votes. De Urioste received about 32.5% of the vote, and Stringer had 26%.
- Manor mayor
Voters in Manor will decide between Christopher Harvey and Tricia Campbell to be their next mayor.
🗳️ Who Can Vote in These Races?
People who live in Manor will vote in the Manor mayoral race, and Austinites who live in District 7, which includes parts of Northwest Austin and far North Austin, will vote in the city council race. People living inside of AISD’s boundary, which encompasses much of the city, can vote in the school board race.
📅 Key Dates To Know:
- Early voting ends Dec. 10.
- Election Day is Dec. 14.
Find a polling place and check your registration before heading out to vote.
Happy voting, y’all!
