The campaign signs may be fewer, and the crowds may be smaller, but the stakes in runoff elections remain high.
Runoff elections often determine who will serve on city councils, school boards, judicial benches, and in legislative seats. They directly shape policies involving public safety, education, housing, infrastructure, and economic development — issues that significantly impact Black communities across Houston and Texas.
“The May 26th Primary Runoff Election is a powerful reminder that democracy works best when every voice is heard. For communities of color across the Greater Houston area and throughout Texas, this election is an opportunity to ensure that our voices, concerns, and hopes for the future resonate through the power of the vote,” said Dr. Annie Johnson Benifield, President, Houston Voting Initiative.
This is the third special election in the area in the last month, and election officials are worried it could further suppress voter turnout.
“I know sometimes voters say, ‘Why can’t you combine them all in one day?’ Well, because the constitution doesn’t allow for it. Primaries can’t be combined with special elections. Uniform elections can’t be combined with other elections,” said Harris County Clerk Teneisha Hudspeth.
@teneshiaforhc Three elections. One month. Let’s break it down: 🗓 May 2: Texas Senate District 4 Special Election 🗓 May 16: Special Runoff for Houston City Council District C 🗓 May 26: Primary Runoffs Not all voters are eligible to participate in every election. Check to see if you have something to vote on at HarrisVotes.com. Know what’s on your ballot. Make a plan. Every election matters. #harrisvotes #harriscountyclerksoffice #elections ♬ original sound – Teneshiaforhc
Historically, voter turnout in runoff elections has been sharply lower than in general elections. According to election analysts, that drop in participation can increase the influence of smaller groups of highly engaged voters and make close races even more consequential. In some local Texas races, winners have been decided by only a few hundred votes.
In Texas’ Congressional District 18 runoff earlier this year, fewer than 24,000 voters decided a race in a district with more than 423,000 registered voters. As early voting continues for the May 26 runoff election, here are 10 reasons why participation in runoff elections still matters.
1. Runoffs are often decided by small margins
Runoff elections frequently see lower voter turnout, which can make close races even more competitive. In Houston’s 2025 City Council At-Large Position 4 race, candidates Alejandra Salinas and Dwight Boykins were separated by fewer than 300 votes heading into the runoff election.
Political analysts say low-turnout elections can magnify the impact of individual neighborhoods, voting blocs, and community organizations.
“Runoff elections are often decided by a small number of people, which means every vote truly matters,” Benifield added. “When communities of color turn out to vote, we help shape decisions that affect our schools, healthcare, jobs, neighborhoods, public safety, and voting rights. Our participation sends a clear message that our communities will not be ignored or left behind.”
2. Local elections shape day-to-day policies
Local elected officials make decisions on issues including property taxes, public safety, infrastructure, drainage, transportation, and housing development. In Houston and Harris County, those decisions directly affect flood mitigation projects, policing priorities, and public services.
Experts note that while presidential elections often draw the most attention, local offices frequently have the most immediate impact on residents’ daily lives.
3. Turnout impacts representation
Voting rights advocates have long argued that turnout levels influence how communities are represented politically. Texas has faced ongoing legal and political battles over congressional and legislative district maps, polling access, and representation.
In low-turnout elections, communities with historically lower participation rates can lose political influence in decisions involving funding, policy priorities, and representation.
4. School board elections affect students and families
School boards oversee superintendent hiring, district budgets, curriculum policies, and student discipline standards. Those decisions can directly affect Black students and families across Texas.
Education researchers have noted that school board elections often attract significantly lower turnout than statewide contests, despite the broad authority school boards hold over public education systems.
5. Judicial elections carry significant consequences
Texas voters elect judges at multiple levels, including criminal, civil, and family courts. Judges make decisions involving bail, sentencing, child custody, probate matters, and civil disputes.
According to the Texas Judicial Branch, judges also oversee cases involving voting rights, public corruption, and constitutional challenges, making judicial elections among the most consequential races on local ballots.
6. Consistent voters often receive more political attention
Political campaigns routinely analyze voter turnout history to identify reliable voters and target outreach efforts. Political scientists say communities with consistent turnout are often viewed as more influential because elected officials and campaigns closely monitor participation patterns.
Runoff elections, which generally attract fewer voters, can amplify the influence of those who regularly participate.
7. Runoffs can influence Houston’s future direction
Houston and Harris County continue to debate issues including affordable housing, transportation, public safety, infrastructure, and economic development.
Several runoff races this election cycle involve offices that will help determine policy decisions affecting growth, budgeting, and neighborhood investment across the region.
8. Voting rights have deep historical significance in Texas
Black Texans historically faced barriers to voting, including poll taxes, literacy tests, and intimidation tactics during the Jim Crow era.
Historians and civil rights organizations note that runoff participation remains significant because voting access was secured through decades of legal challenges, activism, and federal protections under the Voting Rights Act.
“The right to vote was hard fought and hard won. Generations before us marched, organized, and sacrificed so that we could fully participate in democracy. Honoring that legacy means showing up at the ballot box — not just during presidential elections, but in every election, especially runoffs where outcomes can be determined by only a handful of votes,” Benifield said.
9. Lower turnout can increase the influence of organized voting blocs
Political experts say low-turnout elections often favor highly organized groups that consistently mobilize voters. In runoff elections, where participation typically declines sharply, smaller but motivated voting blocs can have an outsized impact on outcomes.
A recent analysis by FairVote found turnout in a Texas congressional runoff election dropped by 69% compared to the initial election.
10. Runoff elections can decide major offices
Several high-profile Texas races this year advanced to runoffs after no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the primary.
That includes Harris County judge races and multiple legislative contests that will help shape policy decisions at the local and state levels.
Early voting for the May 26 runoff election is underway across Texas. Harris County voters can find polling locations, sample ballots, and election information through the Harris County Clerk’s Office.
