Harris County Clerk Clarifies CD18 Special Election Amid Redistricting Confusion

Special Election in Congressional District 18

• 🗳️ A special election is underway in Congressional District 18 to fill the seat formerly held by Sylvester Turner and Sheila Jackson Lee.
• 👥 The race features 16 candidates from multiple parties, including frontrunners Amanda Edwards, Christian Miny, and Jalanda Jones.

Voter Confusion and Boundary Changes

• ❓ Many voters are confused about potential boundary changes due to recent redistricting by the Texas legislature.
• 📞 Harris County Clerk Tanisha Hudsmith's office has been receiving constant calls regarding district lines.

Current District Lines Remain in Effect

• 📌 For the current special election and any potential runoff, the district boundaries have not changed.
• 🗓️ Voters who have always been registered in Congressional District 18 will remain in that district for this election and any potential runoff in January.

Future Map Implementation

• ⚖️ New district lines will not take effect until the midterms in 2026, provided the new map is upheld in court.
• ➡️ If the new map is upheld, it will apply to the primary election in March and the general election in November of 2026.

Advice for Voters

• 🎯 Political science professor Mark Jones advises voters to forget about redistricting for now and focus on the immediate election.
• ⏳ The primary focus should be on electing a candidate to complete the remainder of Sylvester Turner's term, which runs through January 2027.