Elections/Elecciones

2023 City General Election

The May 6, 2023, General Election will be held at La Porte City Hall, located at 604 West Fairmont Parkway.

UPDATED notice of 5/6/23 gen. elec., posted 2/21/23,  and UPDATED Ordinance 2023-3919 - include extended voting hours and weekend voting information. (Original Ordinance 2023-3910 calling election.)

Click here for sample ballots for the City of La Porte/LPISD Districts 1-6 and LPISD District 7. Sample ballots may only be taken into polling locations if printed on yellow paper. Copies are available upon request at City Hall.

EARLY VOTING POLLING PLACES

(SITIO PRINCIPAL DE VOTACIÓN ADELANTADA)

During early voting, a voter may vote at any of the locations listed below:

(Durante Votación Adelantada, los votantes podrán votar en cualquiera de los sitios de votación nombradas abajo:)

Location of Main Early Voting Polling Place (Sitio principal de votación adelantada) - La Porte City Hall Council Chamber, 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, 77571

Location for Branch Early Voting Polling Place (Sitio sucursal de votación delantada) - La Porte ISD ITC Building, 9832 Spencer Highway, La Porte, 77571

ELECTION DAY POLLING PLACES, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

(SITIOS DE VOTACIÓN EL DIA DE ELECCIÓN)

On Election Day, voters must vote in the precinct where registered to vote, unless the countywide polling place program is being used in the election.

(El Día de Elección, los votantes deberán votar en el precinto donde están inscritos para votar, a menos que el programa de sitios de votación del condado se está utilizando en la elección.)

Location of Election Day Polling Places (Sitios de votación el Día de Elección)

-  Precinct Nos. 1, 2, 3 & 6/(números de precintos 1, 2, 3 y 6) - LPISD ITC Building, 9832 Spencer Highway, Room 120/Conference Room

-  Precinct Nos. 4 & 5/(números de precintos 4 y 5) - City of La Porte City Hall Council Chamber, 604 West Fairmont Parkway

Applications for ballot by mail shall be mailed to:

(Las solicitudes para boletas que se votarán adelantada por correo deberán enviarse a:)

            Lee Woodward, City Secretary

            Name of Early Voting Clerk (Nombre del Secretario/a de la Votación Adelantada)

            604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, TX 77571 Address (Dirección)

            281-470-5021  Telephone Number (Número de teléfono)

            WoodwardL@LaPorteTX.gov  Email/(Correo electrónico)

            LaPorteTX.gov/Elections or La PorteTX.gov/Elecciones

           Early Voting Clerk’s Website (Sitio web del Secretario/a de Votación Adelantada)

Applications for Ballots by Mail (ABBMs) must be received no later than the close of business on: (Las solicitudes para boletas que se votarán adelantada por correo deberán recibirse no más tardar de las horas de negocio el:)

April 25, 2023 (per Texas Election Code 84.007).

Federal Post Card Applications (FPCAs) must be received no later than the close of business on:  (La Tarjeta Federal Postal de Solicitud deberán recibirse no más tardar de las horas de negocio el:)

April 25, 2023 (per Texas Election Code 101.052(b), (f), 114.004(c)).

Notice of Deadline to File an Application for Place on the Ballot. Aviso de Fecha Limite Para Presentar una Solicitud Para un Lugar en al Boleta.

Notice of drawing for place on the ballot. Aviso del sorteo para un lugar en la boleta para la eleccion general.

Appointment of Deputy Early Voting Clerks, posted 3/15/2023

Public Notice of Test of Automatic Tabulating Equipment, posted 2/27/23.

Find additional election-related dates and information at https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/important-election-dates.shtml (posted in accordance with TX. Legis. H.B. 305, effective September 1, 2019).

***VOTING ORDER PRIORITY NOTICE - Pursuant to Section 63.0015, Election Code, an election officer may give voting order priority to individuals with a mobility problem that substantially impairs the person's ability to move around. A person assisting an individual with a mobility problem may also, at the individual's request, be given voting order priority. Disabilities and conditions that may qualify you for voting order priority include paralysis, lung disease, the use of portable oxygen, cardiac deficiency, severe limitation in the ability to walk due to arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition, wheelchair confinement, arthritis, foot disorder, the inability to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest, or use of a brace, cane, crutch, or other assistive device. ***

Filing for a place on the ballot is set by state statute and ran from January 18 to February 17, 2023. Forms to apply are available on the Secretary of State (https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/pol-sub/2-21f.pdf) and Texas Ethics Commission websites (https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/data/forms/coh/cta.pdf and https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/data/forms/coh/cfcp.pdf). A candidate packet is available at the Reception area at City Hall or from the City Secretary's Office (CitySecretary@LaPorteTX.gov or 821-470-5021).

Filing requirements are per state statute, available at https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/candidates/guide/2020/index.shtml, and those of the City of La Porte Charter, Article II, at LaPorteTX.gov/Charter. (Charter Qualifications - the mayor and councilpersons shall have been a qualified voter of the City for twelve months immediately preceding election day, and continuously during the term of office. A district councilperson shall also be a resident of his or her district for twelve months immediately preceding election day, and continuously during the term of office.)

Per the Sec. of State's CSO-3449 Advisory of August 3, 2020, candidate applications may be filed:
- in person, with the City Secretary's office at City Hall; 
- by mail; an application submitted by mail is considered to be filed at the time of its receipt by the appropriate filing authority. (Secs. 143.007(b); 144.005(b)); or
- by fax or email - "A signed, sworn, scanned candidate application (and petition, if applicable) may be submitted by fax or email if there is no filing fee [the City of La Porte Charter does not require a filing fee]. Please be advised that an application must be notarized prior to filing via fax or email."

Voting by Mail

The state of Texas provides that certain voters may apply to vote by mail. The Secretary of State’s form to apply for a ballot by mail (updated following 2021 legislation) is available at 

https://webservices.sos.state.tx.us/forms/5-15f.pdf (English)

https://webservices.sos.state.tx.us/forms/5-15fs.pdf (Espanol)

 or is available upon request by mail to the City Secretary, 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, TX 77571; by fax to 281- 842-3701; or via email to CitySecretary@LaPorteTX.gov.

Voters are not required to use the State application and are strongly encouraged to review information from the Secretary of State's office at https://www.sos.texas.gov/elections/laws/advisory2021-24.shtml.

Any application received that is not on the State’s form is considered an "informal application" and may be accepted if it contains all the following information:

Section 84.001 prescribes the minimum requirements for an ABBM.  At a minimum, an early voting ballot application must be in writing and must include:

1. State the applicant’s name;
2. State the applicant’s address;
3. State the number of the applicant’s driver’s license or personal identification card issued by DPS, or if applicant has not been issued one of those numbers, the last four digits of the applicant’s social security number, or a statement that the application has not been issued either of those numbers (NEW LAW – SB 1; 2021, 2nd C.S.);
4. State the address at which the applicant is registered;
5. State the address to which ballot is to be mailed, if different and if authorized by law (see below);
6. State a valid ground for voting by mail;
7. Indicate the election for which the applicant is applying to vote by mail; and
8. Be signed by applicant or witness, if applicable.

An ABBM that does not contain these statutory elements must be rejected by the early voting clerk.

Applications for a ballot by mail received by mail, common or contract carrier, fax, or by electronic submission of a scanned application with an original signature may be received, provided that the original must be received by mail within four days of the receipt of the electronic submission, per the Texas Election Code.

Elections in the City of La Porte are conducted in accordance with the Texas Election Code and the City Charter. For more information, contact the City Secretary’s Office at 281-470-5021 or by email at CitySecretary@LaPorteTX.gov, or visit the City’s election page at LaPorteTX.gov/Elections or LaPorteTX.gov/Elecciones.

Voting Guidelines Related to COVID-19

On May 27, 2020, the Texas Secretary of State's Office issued guidelines to voters and entities holding elections concerning polling places and voting conduct during upcoming elections. Click here to view the document. This was updated on June 18, 2020. Click here to view these additional guidelines.

Voter ID Information Voter Identification Changes

Click here for the interactive Council District map

Click here for the City Election Register

More Information

To register to vote, find upcoming election dates, and answers to Frequently Asked Questions, please visit the Texas Secretary of State's special voter page, VoteTexas.gov. For additional general information, please visit the Secretary of State's website. Also informative is the League of Women Voters page.

Valid Photo Identification

Texas requires voters to present an approved form of photo identification to vote at the polls. To ensure a seamless voting process, make sure to:

1. Review the list of approved photo identifications and make sure you have one. A voter will be required to show photo identification at the polling location before the voter will be permitted to cast a vote. Check Texas Voter Registration website for a list of acceptable forms.
2. Confirm that your state-approved photo identification is current. With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, the photo identification must be unexpired or expired no more than four years.
3. Verify that the name the Harris County Voter Registrar has on file for you matches the name on one of the State approved Photo IDs. You may visit the Texas Voter Name and Address Changes website to update your information.

Invalid Photo Identification

Voters who currently do not have an approved form of photo ID may apply for an Election Identification Certificate (EIC) at no charge with the Department of Public Safety. For more information call 512-424-2600 or visit the Texas Department of Public Safety website.

Political Signs

Campaign signs for the May general election may now be placed publicly until ten days following the election (unless candidates are involved in a runoff election).

Most campaign signs are placed on private property, with the permission of the owner of the property. Some candidates may choose to place campaign signs on City property, as this is not prohibited by the City Code. Candidates and their supporters who place signs on City property must remember that City facilities are there to provide services to citizens and the grounds must be maintained, and should consider placements that are reasonable and respect these requirements.

The City of La Porte does not endorse or oppose any candidate or proposition on the ballot and political signs placed on City property do not indicate any manner of support.

The City Code of Ordinances provides general campaign sign placement guidelines in Section 106-873, which can be found at LaPorteTX.gov/PoliticalSigns.

For polling locations during early voting and on election day, state guidelines require campaign materials and activities to be outside a marked 100’ distance from the polling location entrance.

The City may remove signs placed in the rights-of-way. The City is unlikely to be informed if others remove signs (HOAs, landscaping crews, etc.), from private property, especially windblown signs that have come off their frames.

The Texas Ethics Commission, not the City, provides authority, oversight, and enforcement for issues related to the message content of political signs, not the City. The Texas Department of Transportation governs sign placement on state roadways, as Harris County does for county roads.

Find more election information, including registration, early voting, and ballot by mail guidelines, on the City website at LaPorteTX.gov/Elections or LaPorteTX.gov/Elecciones.

Candidates

Filing requirements are per state statute, available at https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/candidates/guide/2020/index.shtml, and those of the City of La Porte Charter, Article II, at LaPorteTX.gov/Charter. (Charter Qualifications - the mayor and councilpersons shall have been a qualified voter of the City for twelve months immediately preceding election day, and continuously during the term of office. A district councilperson shall also be a resident of his or her district for twelve months immediately preceding election day, and continuously during the term of office.)

Per the Sec. of State's CSO-3449 Advisory of August 3, 2020, candidate applications may be filed:
- in person, with the City Secretary's office at City Hall; 
- by mail; an application submitted by mail is considered to be filed at the time of its receipt by the appropriate filing authority. (Secs. 143.007(b); 144.005(b)); or
- by fax or email - "A signed, sworn, scanned candidate application (and petition, if applicable) may be submitted by fax or email if there is no filing fee [the City of La Porte Charter does not require a filing fee]. Please be advised that an application must be notarized prior to filing via fax or email.

2024 City General Election

Future General Elections (posted in accordance with TX. Legis. H.B. 305, effective September 1, 2019)

The general election for members of the City Council is held annually on the 1st Saturday in May. Find additional election-related dates and information at https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/important-election-dates.shtml#2024 .

The May 4, 2024, General Election will be held at La Porte City Hall, located at 604 West Fairmont Parkway. Filing for a place on the ballot is set by state statute and will run from January 17 to February 16, 2024. Find additional election-related dates and information at https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/important-election-dates.shtml (posted in accordance with TX. Legis. H.B. 305, effective September 1, 2019).

Filing requirements are per state statute, available at https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/candidates/guide/2020/index.shtml, and those of the City of La Porte Charter, Article II, at LaPorteTX.gov/Charter. (Charter Qualifications - the mayor and councilpersons shall have been a qualified voter of the City for twelve months immediately preceding election day, and continuously during the term of office. A district councilperson shall also be a resident of his or her district for twelve months immediately preceding election day, and continuously during the term of office.)

Per the Sec. of State's CSO-3449 Advisory of August 3, 2020, candidate applications may be filed:
- in person, with the City Secretary's office at City Hall; 
- by mail; an application submitted by mail is considered to be filed at the time of its receipt by the appropriate filing authority. (Secs. 143.007(b); 144.005(b)); or
- by fax or email - "A signed, sworn, scanned candidate application (and petition, if applicable) may be submitted by fax or email if there is no filing fee [the City of La Porte Charter does not require a filing fee]. Please be advised that an application must be notarized prior to filing via fax or email."

En Español

Para registrarse para votar, encuentre las fechas de eleccion proximas, y respuestas a preguntas hechas con frecuencia, por favor visite la pagina de votante especial en VoteTexas.gov. Para informacion general adicional, por favor visite www.SoS.State.TX.US.