Houston canvassing authority certifies Nov. 4 special election and confirms Dec. 13 runoff; runoff adds costs

The City of Houston canvassing authority approved an ordinance certifying the results of the Nov. 4, 2025 special election to fill the council member at-large, position 4, and discussed scheduling a runoff for Dec. 13.

Council Member Ramirez asked whether Dec. 13 — "the Saturday" — had been selected for the runoff and whether an early-voting period had been set. "My understanding that the date of December 13, the Saturday, has been selected for the runoff?" she said.

Danielle Wilson, introduced during the meeting, told the canvassing authority that counties were still finalizing early-voting dates and that an order calling the runoff, to be placed on next week’s agenda, will contain the early-voting schedule. "The counties are still firming up those dates, so we don't have that information yet," Wilson said.

Ramirez also asked whether a previously authorized expenditure "up to $2,300,000" included the runoff. Wilson replied that the $2.3 million figure covered costs for the Nov. 4 election only and that "there will be an additional cost for the runoff." The $2.3 million amount was described in the discussion as the city's share for the November 4 election; the exact additional runoff cost was not specified in the record.

Following a brief opportunity to review the tabulated results, the presiding official called for a vote on the ordinance to tabulate and canvass the returns. When asked, "all in favor? Any opposed?" the presiding official stated the item carried. The canvass was completed "in accordance to the Texas Election Code," with the official citing section 67.004(g) as the governing authority for canvassing returns.

The meeting concluded with the presiding official thanking those present and adjourning the session.