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File #: 25-2320    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: Passed
File created: 3/31/2025 In control: Commissioners Court
On agenda: 4/10/2025 Final action: 4/10/2025
Title: Request by the Commissioner of Precinct 1 for approval of a resolution asking Governor Greg Abbott to immediately call the Special Election to fill the vacancy in the 18th Congressional District of Texas.
Primary Department: Commissioner, Precinct 1
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Rodney Ellis, Commissioner

Secondary Department: Choose an item.
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:

Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA

Type of Request: Resolution

Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A

MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request

Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item

Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by the Commissioner of Precinct 1 for approval of a resolution asking Governor Greg Abbott to immediately call the Special Election to fill the vacancy in the 18th Congressional District of Texas.
end

Background and Discussion:
Congressman Sylvester Turner of the 18th Congressional District of Texas died unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 5, 2025 after serving two months of his first full-term in the United States House of Representatives. Governor Greg Abbott has not yet called a special election to fill the seat to return the Texas Congressional Delegation to full voting power and strength. Governor Abbott has the sole authority to call a special election to fill Turner's seat for the rest of the two-year term. State law does not specify a deadline for the governor to order a special election. If called, the election must happen within two months of the announcement.

Leaders in the Texas House have requested that Governor Abbott call the special election. Without a Congressional representative, nearly 800,000 Texans remain voiceless at a pivotal moment for the 18th Congressional district and the nation.

Expected Impact:
If a special election is called, voters in the 18th Congressional District of Texas will select the person to complete the remainder of The Hono...

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