GENERAL & SPECIAL ELECTION

Possible July Election Cancelled, Nassau Bay Will Continue Forward with the November 3rd Election

Previous Considerations for Possible July Election
In response to the COVID-19 public health crisis, the City Council of Nassau Bay officially postponed the May 2020 General Election. As previously noted, City Council discussed the ability to consider dates prior to November 3rd if options were available. Currently, Governor Greg Abbott has only authorized cities to move their election to November 3rd – there is no authority for a city to move an election to any other date without permission from the Governor’s Office.

Petitioning Governor Abbott to allow an election date change, Nassau Bay approved a preparatory measure to order a July 14th City election to coincide with the July primary run-offs. It was important to City Council to consider all date options, as there were concerns that ballots would be so large and overwhelming in November (Nassau Bay’s ballot would be placed at the bottom in November). Additionally, Councilmembers only serve two-year terms, so in effect Councilmembers lose six months of their term due to the delay.

After many efforts, Nassau Bay did not receive approval from Governor Abbott to hold an earlier election. The order approved at the Special City Council meeting is automatically canceled, and the election will continue to be held in November as previously scheduled.

November 3, 2020 Election Information

As the City was not authorized to conduct an earlier election, Nassau Bay will move forward with the November 3, 2020 election date. Nassau Bay residents will be asked to vote for the positions of Mayor, and Council Position 2, 4 and 6. Councilmembers who currently hold office (that were scheduled to be on the May ballot) will continue to exercise their duties until November. Residents will also be asked to vote on twenty-two propositions amending the City Charter.

To vote in Nassau Bay’s election, a resident must be registered to vote at least 30 days before the election date. Citizens can register to vote until October 5, 2020 for the November election. To change your name or address, a completed and signed application is also required. Voter registration cards are available at the Harris County Clerk’s Office.

Applications for ballot by mail (ABBMs) can be requested by calling the Harris County Elections Division at 713.755.6965. Applications can also be obtained online at www.harrisvotes.com. All applications for a ballot by mail that were filed for the May 2nd election and marked annual are valid for the November 3rd election. Additionally, single use ABBMs submitted for reasons of age or disability remain valid for the November 3rd election. A single use ABBM submitted due to absence from the county is NOT valid as the election date has changed. The deadline to submit an Application for Ballot by Mail is October 23, 2020.

Governor Abbott’s order also requires Harris County to conduct the City’s election. Early voting will be conducted October 19th through October 30th. For more information on the City’s November 3rd election, please contact City Secretary Sandra Ham at sandra.ham@nassaubay.com or by phone at 281-336-6281.