Governor Greg Abbott (R) issued a statement announcing that a special election will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, to fill the vacant seat in Texas' 18th Congressional District. This seat was left open following the passing of Congressman Sylvester Turner.
In his announcement, Governor Abbott emphasized the need for sufficient time to ensure a smooth and fair election process in Harris County.
“No county in Texas does a worse job of conducting elections than Harris County,” Abbott said. “They repeatedly fail to conduct elections consistent with state law. Safe and secure elections are critical to the foundation of our state.”
Abbott's comments reflect his ongoing concerns about Harris County’s management of past elections, which have faced criticism over issues such as miscommunication and delays in election results
In a further explanation of the timeline, Abbott pointed out that forcing the election to occur sooner could be detrimental. By pushing the date to November, Abbott is seeking to avoid rushing the process and to ensure that all election procedures are thoroughly followed.
“Forcing Harris County to rush this special election on weeks’ notice would harm the interests of voters,” he said.
Candidates interested in running for the congressional seat must file their applications with the Secretary of State by 5:00 PM on September 3, 2025. Early voting is scheduled to begin on Monday, October 20, 2025, giving voters ample opportunity to cast their ballots before the official election date.
The special election for the 18th Congressional District is important, as it will determine who will represent a large and diverse portion of Houston in the U.S. House of Representatives. While the timing of the election has generated some debate, Governor Abbott’s announcement has set the stage for a clear process, with the goal of ensuring fairness and security in the election.
As the election date draws closer, all eyes will be on how well the county manages the logistics and prepares voters for a smooth experience at the polls.
