Nueces County canvasses Nov. 8 election; officials report 89,744 ballots cast, 6,915 mail ballots returned

The Nueces County Commissioners Court on Nov. 18 formally canvassed and declared the results of the Nov. 8, 2022 general election, reporting that 89,744 people cast ballots in the county, a 42% turnout.

The canvass, performed in the commissioner's courtroom at the Nueces County Courthouse, was presented by Cara Sands, the clerk, who told the court the county mailed 8,009 absentee/mail ballot packets and received 6,915 returns. "We have had about an 85% return for our mail ballot," Sands said, adding that only five returned mail ballots were rejected.

The county reported turnout was down about 4 percentage points from 2018 but remained better than several peer counties, Sands said. Sands also told the court that some mailed ballots were canceled by voters who later voted in person; she estimated "about 300" of those cancellations.

Why it matters: the formal canvass fulfills the county's duty under state law to certify local election results and allows the county to notify jurisdictions of next steps. The clerk noted that the City of Corpus Christi has a runoff election scheduled for Dec. 13; Sands said the city will manage that runoff and notify the county of its polling locations. The clerk added the city planned six early‑voting locations for the district runoff.

Commissioners moved and seconded acceptance of the county's official canvas and declared the results. The motion passed by voice vote.

The court heard a brief public comment earlier about a volunteer effort at the Richard Borchard Fairgrounds to place flags at the Coastal Bend Field of Honor, but the formal record and action at this meeting focused on the county canvass and subsequent agenda items.

The court's acceptance of the canvas completes the county's immediate certification duties; the city runoff remains scheduled for Dec. 13 and will be administered by Corpus Christi officials.