Voter Registration and Flood Bond Referendum
On August 25, Harris County residents will vote on a historic $2.5 billion flood-bond referendum. But are you eligible to vote? Don’t assume the answer is yes.
How Harvey May Have Affected Your Voting Rights
Many flood victims moved temporarily while their homes were being repaired. Voter registration cards cannot be forwarded, so your card may have been returned to the County registrar as “undeliverable.”
Also, records of people who failed to vote in the last two elections may have been purged.
If you fall into one of those categories, confirm your voter registration status at: https://www.hctax.net/Voter/Search.
If your name comes up with your voter registration ID, you should be good to vote. However, if your record says SUSPENSE or VOTER NOT FOUND, you are in danger of losing your right to vote.
If you aren’t listed as a registered voter in Harris County, you will not be able to vote.
Help Available at Flood Bond Meeting on July 10
Regardless of the cause, if your registration has lapsed or if you are new to the area, Volunteer Deputy Voter Registrars (VDVRs) will be available to help you at the Harris County Flood Bond Meeting on Tuesday, 7/10 from 5:30PM to 8:30PM at Kingwood Park High School. VDVRs will be there to help you confirm your status, update your record or re-register if necessary. VDVRs are not partisan and required by law to register anyone eligible to vote.
Options Available to You
If your voter ID card was returned to the tax office and you are “in suspense,” you must fill out a Statement of Residence (SOR) form. After filing this form, you can still vote at the early voting sites, however, it is easier if you resolve issues before then.
Voting Dates
Election day is August 25, the anniversary of Harvey. The county clerk has not yet confirmed early voting dates. Polling places may change up until Election Day. Check here for your polling place.
Requirements to Vote
You must be registered in Harris County 30 days prior to the election to vote. You can vote anywhere only during early voting; on Election Day you can vote only at your assigned precinct location. You must show approved ID, or have reasonable cause as t0 why you do not have ID, and sign an affidavit to that fact.
Requests to vote by mail must arrive by mail or fax no later than the 11th day before the election. Ballots must be returned to the county clerk’s office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.
Registration assistants will be at Kingwood Park High School one half hour before the meeting at 5:30 p.m. to help people check registrations and explain options if a problem exists.
Main Purpose of Meeting
The main purpose of the meeting on July 10 is for county officials to explain the referendum to voters and solicit voter input on the types of flood remediation efforts they think will help the most people in this area. Learn more at:
Lake Houston Chamber Launches Plea for DDG
Lake Houston Area’s Most Pressing Needs for Flood Bond Referendum
Top Priorities for Lake Houston Area Flood Mitigation
Bring Friends and Their Friends
A large turnout at this meeting will send a message to elected officials about how important we think flood mitigation is.
Sometime before the election, the Harris County Flood Control District will post the actual recommendations for each part of the county that will be included in the bond package that voters will vote on. Note: the current list is not final.
Meeting Details
Kingwood Park High School
July 10, 2018
6-8 pm
Doors open at 5:30 for voter registration assistance.
Posted 7/9/2018 by Bob Rehak
314 Days since Hurricane Harvey
