TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:
WHEREAS, the death of the Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee has created a vacancy in the U.S. House of Representatives for the 18th Congressional District of Texas, which is wholly contained within Harris County; and
WHEREAS, Article I, Section 2, Clause 4 of the U.S. Constitution and Section 204.021 of the Texas Election Code require that a special election be ordered upon such a vacancy, and Title 2, Section 8 of the U.S. Code provides that the date of such election may be prescribed by state law; and
WHEREAS, Section 3.003(a)(3) and (b) of the Texas Election Code requires the special election to be ordered by proclamation of the governor; and
WHEREAS, Section 203.004(a) of the Texas Election Code provides that the special election generally must be held on the first uniform date occurring on or after the 36th day after the date the election is ordered; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 41.001(a)(3) of the Texas Election Code, the first uniform election date occurring on or after the 36th day after the date that the special election is ordered is Tuesday, November 5, 2024;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of Texas, under the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of Texas, do hereby order a special election to be held in Congressional District 18 on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, for the purpose of electing a U.S. Representative for Congressional District 18 to serve out the unexpired term of the Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee.
Candidates who wish to have their names placed on the special election ballot must file their applications with the Secretary of State no later than 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 22, 2024, in accordance with Section 201.054(f) of the Texas Election Code.
Early voting by personal appearance shall begin on Monday, October 21, 2024, and end on Friday, November 1, 2024, in accordance with Section 85.001(a) and (c) of the Texas Election Code.
A copy of this order shall be mailed immediately to the Harris County Judge, who presides over the county within which Congressional District 18 is wholly contained, and all appropriate writs shall be issued, and all proper proceedings shall be followed to the end so that said special election may be held to fill the vacancy in Congressional District 18 and its result proclaimed in accordance with law.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and have officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed at my office in the City of Austin, Texas, this the 2nd day of August, 2024.
GREG ABBOTT
Governor
ATTESTED BY:
JANE NELSON
Secretary of State
View the Governor’s proclamation.