Government

Early voting begins today, Monday, October 19, for the November 3, 2026, General and Special Elections, giving Northwest Houston residents their first opportunity to weigh in on decisions involving local schools, property taxes, county government and public services.

For families in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, the ballot includes five propositions that could affect school funding and property taxes for years to come. Nearby, Klein ISD and Tomball ISD voters will choose school board representatives responsible for district budgets, educational policies and long-term planning. Harris County residents will also elect a new county judge, with other federal, state and local contests appearing according to where they live.

Across neighborhoods near Highway 249, FM 1960, Spring Cypress Road, Louetta Road and the Grand Parkway, these elections bring different questions to different households. Two families who shop at the same grocery store or attend events at the same neighborhood park may belong to different school districts, live in different county commissioner precincts or fall on opposite sides of Houston's city limits.

Understanding those differences is particularly useful this year, with multiple local propositions and school board positions appearing alongside the November general election races.

Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth is encouraging residents to review their ballots before visiting the polls.

“Early voting gives voters the flexibility to cast their ballots on their own schedules, including weekends, while avoiding potential Election Day crowds,” said Clerk Hudspeth. “We encourage voters to plan ahead, review their ballots, and take advantage of the opportunity to vote early.”

What's on the November 3, 2026 Ballot in Northwest Houston?

The election includes races for U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Texas governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller and other statewide offices. Voters will also consider candidates for the Texas Legislature, judicial positions and additional offices depending on their addresses.

Closer to home, the Harris County judge election will determine who succeeds outgoing County Judge Lina Hidalgo. Commissioner positions in Precincts 2 and 4 are also on the ballot, although those races will appear only for residents of the applicable precincts.

The most significant school district questions differ across Northwest Houston.

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD voters will consider a proposed increase in the district's operating tax rate and four bond propositions totaling approximately $1.636 billion. Klein ISD has a contested trustee election for Position 1, while Tomball ISD has contested elections for Positions 1 and 3.

Other local propositions may appear depending on municipal and special district boundaries, including a City of Houston charter amendment concerning police enforcement policies.

Residents can review the contests specific to their household through the Harris County personalized sample ballot lookup.

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Voters Will Decide Five School Funding Propositions

One of the largest local funding questions on the November ballot comes from Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District.

On August 10, the district's Board of Trustees approved placing five propositions before voters. One concerns everyday school operating expenses, while the remaining four would authorize borrowing for school facilities, technology and other capital improvements.

The distinction matters because the two funding mechanisms serve different purposes and have different implications for taxpayers.

Proposition A: School Operations and a Proposed Tax Rate Increase

Proposition A is a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election, commonly called a VATRE.

The proposal would increase CFISD's maintenance and operations tax rate by 12 cents per $100 of taxable property value, raising that portion of the rate from $0.6669 to $0.7869.

According to CFISD, approval would generate an estimated $103.6 million in additional annual funding, including approximately $83.4 million in local revenue and $20.2 million in additional state-guaranteed funding.

The money would support ongoing district expenses, including employee compensation, instructional programs, classroom operations and other recurring costs.

Unlike bond funds, maintenance and operations revenue can be used for salaries and the day-to-day expenses associated with operating schools.

Proposition B: $1.3 Billion for School Facilities, Safety and Transportation

Proposition B would authorize $1,299,520,000 for improvements involving existing schools, safety infrastructure, transportation and district equipment.

The district's proposed projects include roof replacements, heating and air conditioning upgrades, fire alarm systems, emergency generators, playground renovations and replacement school buses.

Renovations to the Cypress Creek High School and Jersey Village High School auditoriums are also included.

For residents living near older CFISD campuses, the district's campus-specific project sheets provide information about which buildings and systems are proposed for improvements.

Proposition C: $256.1 Million for Instructional Technology

Proposition C would authorize $256,075,000 for technology equipment, including student Chromebooks, teacher and staff computers, classroom displays and equipment for career and technical education programs.

Proposition D: $60.8 Million for Athletic Stadiums

Proposition D would authorize $60,800,000 for improvements to existing district stadiums, including running tracks, artificial turf and related athletic infrastructure.

Proposition E: $20.1 Million for Swimming Facilities

Proposition E would authorize $20,125,000 for improvements to existing district swimming facilities and associated equipment.

Each proposition will be decided separately. Approval or rejection of one does not automatically determine the outcome of the others.

The district's official CFISD Election 2026 website provides detailed project descriptions, financial information and explanations of the proposed measures.

How Much Could the CFISD Election Affect Property Taxes?

For homeowners, the proposed changes to the school district's tax rate are an important part of the election.

CFISD estimates that Proposition A would increase the maintenance and operations tax rate by 12 cents per $100 of taxable value.

At the same time, the district projects a 3-cent reduction in its debt-service tax rate, from 40 cents to 37 cents per $100 of taxable value.

If those changes occur as projected, the combined result would be a net increase of 9 cents per $100 of taxable value compared with the previous year's total district rate.

For a home valued at $350,000, CFISD estimates an additional $126 in annual school property taxes, or approximately $10.50 per month.

That calculation assumes the district's 20% local optional homestead exemption and the $140,000 state homestead exemption, leaving a taxable value of $140,000 in the district's example.

Actual tax bills depend on taxable property values, applicable exemptions and adopted tax rates. Homeowners with qualifying age or disability exemptions may have additional protections.

Residents reviewing the bond propositions will also notice that Texas law requires the ballot language to include the statement "THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE."

CFISD says its proposed bond package is not expected to increase the debt-service portion of its tax rate. That projection is separate from the operating tax increase proposed under Proposition A.

The district says its bond recommendations followed a review by a 60-member Long-Range Planning Committee that included parents, community members, business representatives and district employees.

Homeowners can review the proposed projects and the district's estimated financial impact through the CFISD tax impact calculator and election resources.

Advertisement

Klein ISD Voters Will Choose Between Two Candidates for Position 1

Klein Independent School District residents have a different school board election to consider.

The district has two trustee positions scheduled for election in November, but only Position 1 attracted opposing candidates.

Position 1: Dustin Qualls and Linda Ford

Incumbent Dustin Qualls faces challenger Linda Ford.

Qualls, a civil engineer, currently serves as vice president of the Klein ISD Board of Trustees.

Ford is an educator with more than 30 years of experience. In September reporting by the Houston Chronicle, she identified school safety, compensation for support employees and greater transparency in district spending among her priorities.

Position 2: Doug James

Incumbent Doug James, who currently serves as board president, is the sole listed candidate for Position 2.

Because uncontested positions may be handled differently under Texas election procedures, residents should consult the final official ballot to determine whether Position 2 appears.

Klein ISD's seven trustees serve three-year terms and are elected at-large, meaning they represent the district as a whole rather than individual neighborhoods.

Why the Klein ISD Election Matters Locally

For families in Champions, Memorial Northwest, Greenwood Forest and other Klein-area neighborhoods, the school board oversees a district with schools serving both established communities and growing residential areas.

Trustees approve district budgets, adopt educational policies, hire and evaluate the superintendent, and make decisions about staffing, facilities and academic programs.

Those responsibilities affect students and employees, but they also matter to homeowners who pay Klein ISD property taxes.

Klein ISD's trustee election is separate from the CFISD funding election. Residents of Klein ISD do not vote on CFISD's five propositions simply because they live nearby.

Additional district information is available through the Klein ISD Board of Trustees website.

Tomball ISD Has Two Contested Trustee Races

Tomball Independent School District has four trustee positions scheduled for election November 3, with two contested races.

Position 1: Lacey Derrington and Patrick Beecher

Incumbent Patrick Beecher faces challenger Lacey Derrington.

Beecher was appointed to Position 1 in January 2026 following a vacancy and was sworn into office in February. The November election will determine who serves the next full four-year term.

Position 3: Joseph Ferguson and John McStravick

Incumbent John McStravick faces challenger Joseph Ferguson.

McStravick currently serves on the Tomball ISD Board of Trustees, while Ferguson is seeking election to the position.

Positions 2 and 4

Michael Pratt is the sole listed candidate for Position 2, while Mark Lewandowski is the only listed candidate for Position 4.

As with other uncontested elections, residents should consult the final ballot to determine whether these positions appear.

Tomball ISD trustees serve four-year terms and are elected at-large.

The district serves communities extending through northern portions of the Northwest Houston area, including neighborhoods near Highway 249, the Grand Parkway and Creekside Park.

Its trustees oversee decisions about educational programs, district policies, school budgets and facility planning.

For families watching residential development along the Highway 249 and Grand Parkway corridors, school capacity and long-term facilities planning remain relevant district responsibilities.

The Tomball ISD 2026 Board Election webpage includes official candidate filings and election notices.

Harris County Judge Election Will Determine New County Leadership

Beyond the school district elections, Northwest Houston residents will help select the next Harris County judge.

Democrat Letitia Plummer and Republican Orlando Sanchez are competing to succeed outgoing County Judge Lina Hidalgo.

Plummer previously served as an at-large Houston City Council member and has worked as a dentist. Her campaign has emphasized healthcare access, disaster preparedness and storm resilience.

Sanchez previously served as Harris County treasurer and a Houston City Council member. His campaign has focused on fiscal management, public safety and county spending.

Despite the title, the Harris County judge is not primarily a courtroom judge.

The position presides over Harris County Commissioners Court, which includes four county commissioners and makes decisions about the county budget, emergency management, public health, infrastructure-related spending and other government responsibilities.

For residents of unincorporated Northwest Houston neighborhoods, county government may provide services that incorporated communities receive through city departments.

Those responsibilities can include certain roads, drainage facilities, parks and emergency services, depending on the jurisdiction.

County spending and infrastructure decisions can have lasting effects on neighborhoods, particularly where residential development places additional demands on transportation and public facilities.

Harris County Commissioner Races Depend on Where Residents Live

Harris County commissioner positions in Precincts 2 and 4 are also on the November ballot.

In Precinct 2, incumbent Democrat Adrian Garcia faces Republican Richard Vega.

In Precinct 4, incumbent Democrat Lesley Briones faces Republican Steve Radack, who previously served as a Harris County commissioner.

County commissioners participate in decisions involving county spending, infrastructure, parks and public services.

However, not every Northwest Houston resident will see either race.

Much of northwest Harris County is represented by Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey, whose position is not scheduled for election in November 2026.

Other portions of Northwest Houston fall within Precinct 4, where the Briones and Radack contest is on the ballot.

Residents should verify their specific commissioner precinct rather than assuming that a neighborhood name or ZIP code determines their representation.

Houston Proposition A May Appear on Some Northwest Houston Ballots

Some Northwest Houston voters who live within Houston city limits will also see the City of Houston's Proposition A.

The proposed charter amendment, known as the Houston Freedom Act, addresses two law enforcement issues.

It would require the Houston Police Department to make enforcement of Class A and Class B misdemeanor marijuana possession its lowest law enforcement priority, with related reporting requirements.

It would also prohibit Houston police officers from requesting or executing no-knock search warrants.

The proposal addresses how city police resources would be directed and establishes additional restrictions on certain warrant procedures. Questions about how local enforcement priorities interact with Texas law are relevant to understanding its potential implementation.

Approval would not independently legalize marijuana under state law.

Houston Proposition A is not the same as Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Proposition A.

Houston's measure concerns municipal law enforcement policy and applies only to eligible voters within Houston city limits. CFISD's proposition concerns school operating revenue and applies only to eligible voters residing within the school district.

A household located within both jurisdictions could have both propositions on its ballot.

The city has published the full proposed amendment and official ballot language on its 2026 Charter Amendment Election webpage.

Why Northwest Houston Neighbors May Have Different Ballots

Northwest Houston's school district, city and county boundaries do not always follow familiar neighborhood lines.

Residents near FM 1960 may be served by Cypress-Fairbanks ISD or Klein ISD, depending on their addresses. Farther north, Tomball ISD serves additional neighborhoods, including portions that extend into Montgomery County.

Municipal boundaries add another distinction.

A Houston mailing address does not necessarily place a home within Houston city limits. Many Northwest Houston neighborhoods are unincorporated, while others belong to municipalities or special districts with their own governing bodies.

These boundaries determine which school board races, local propositions, city offices and county commissioner contests appear on each ballot.

While this guide focuses on Harris County, residents living in the Montgomery County portion of Tomball ISD should use the Montgomery County Elections website for their official sample ballots, voting locations and applicable county contests.

Harris County voting centers are not interchangeable with Montgomery County voting centers.

Where Can Northwest Houston Residents Vote Early?

Harris County is operating more than 70 early voting centers for the November 3 election, with more than 600 centers expected to be available on Election Day.

Voters may cast their ballots at any participating Harris County vote center, regardless of which neighborhood or precinct they live in.

That gives residents flexibility to vote near home, work or another location along their daily commute.

Someone who lives in Champions but works in downtown Houston, for example, can use a participating vote center closer to the office rather than returning to their neighborhood.

The official Harris County Vote Center locator allows residents to search for voting centers near Highway 249, FM 1960, Spring Cypress Road, Louetta Road, Cypresswood Drive and other Northwest Houston communities.

When available, the locator also provides estimated wait times.

Because voting locations can change, residents should verify their preferred site's address and operating hours before leaving home.

Early Voting Hours and Important Election Dates

Early voting begins October 19 and continues through October 30.

From Monday, October 19, through Saturday, October 24, Harris County voting centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

On Sunday, October 25, voting hours are noon to 7 p.m.

From Monday, October 26, through Friday, October 30, voting centers will again be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, with Harris County voting centers open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Voters who are already in line when polls close are permitted to cast their ballots.

The voter registration deadline for the November election was October 5.

The next major deadline is Friday, October 23, the last day for election officials to receive applications for ballots by mail.

Eligible Texans may apply for mail ballots under circumstances established by state law, including being age 65 or older on Election Day, having a qualifying disability, expecting to be outside their county during the applicable voting period, or meeting other eligibility requirements.

Mail ballot applications must be received by the deadline, not simply postmarked that day.

Additional information about mail ballot eligibility and deadlines is available through VoteTexas.gov.

Advertisement

What Identification Should Residents Bring to the Polls?

Texas voters generally must present one of seven approved forms of photo identification when voting in person.

Acceptable forms include a Texas driver's license, Texas Election Identification Certificate, Texas personal identification card, Texas handgun license, U.S. military identification card containing a photograph, U.S. citizenship certificate containing a photograph, and U.S. passport book or card.

For voters ages 18 through 69, qualifying photo identification may generally be accepted if it expired no more than four years earlier.

Voters age 70 or older may use an otherwise acceptable photo ID regardless of how long it has been expired.

Residents who do not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of the approved forms of photo identification may qualify to present supporting documents and complete a Reasonable Impediment Declaration.

Those who have an approved ID but forget to bring it may be able to return with it or cast a provisional ballot and complete the applicable follow-up procedures.

The Texas Secretary of State's voter ID guidance explains the requirements and available alternatives.

Can Voters Bring Phones or Sample Ballots Into the Voting Booth?

Residents planning to reference notes on their phones should print them or write them down before going to vote.

Texas law prohibits the use of wireless communication devices, including cell phones and tablets, inside the room where voting takes place.

Recording images or sound is also prohibited within 100 feet of a voting station. This is separate from the 100-foot electioneering boundary measured from a polling place entrance.

However, voters may bring printed sample ballots and handwritten notes into the voting booth.

For someone reviewing the five CFISD propositions, multiple candidates and other local contests, a paper sample ballot can provide a useful reference.

Voters should take their notes and sample ballots with them when they leave.

Accessibility, Curbside Voting and Language Assistance

Harris County provides accessible voting equipment and accommodations for eligible voters with disabilities.

Curbside voting is available for qualifying voters who cannot physically enter a voting center. Election workers can assist residents through the county's established curbside procedures.

Language assistance and other voting accommodations are also available under applicable election requirements.

Residents seeking assistance can review Harris County's election accessibility resources or contact the Harris County Clerk's Elections Department at 713-755-6965.

What If Someone Requested a Mail Ballot but Wants to Vote in Person?

Residents who received a mail ballot but decide to vote in person should bring that ballot to a voting center and surrender it.

If they no longer possess the mail ballot, they may still be eligible to cast a provisional ballot under Texas election procedures.

Harris County voters who wish to personally hand-deliver their completed mail ballots may do so on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, at 1019 Congress Street in downtown Houston, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Only the voter may personally deliver their completed ballot. Acceptable identification is required, with applicable alternatives available for voters who qualify under state law.

Completed mail ballots cannot be dropped off at neighborhood early voting centers.

For ballots returned through the U.S. Postal Service, the general rule requires a postmark by 7 p.m. on Election Day and receipt by 5 p.m. on the following day. Different deadlines and exceptions may apply to certain voters and delivery methods.

Montgomery County residents should use their county's designated ballot return procedures rather than the Harris County hand-delivery location.

What Happens After November 3?

The CFISD election will determine whether voters authorize the proposed operating tax rate increase and four separate bond measures.

Approval of Proposition A would allow the district to implement the proposed maintenance and operations tax rate. Approval of the bond propositions would authorize borrowing for the purposes identified in the respective measures.

Klein ISD and Tomball ISD's contested trustee elections will determine who serves in those board positions.

The Harris County judge election and applicable commissioner races will determine representation on Commissioners Court, where decisions about budgets, infrastructure, emergency management and other public services will continue long after Election Day.

For Northwest Houston residents, the election brings several levels of government together on one ballot. Each has different responsibilities, but their decisions can affect many of the same households through school finances, property taxes, neighborhood infrastructure and public services.

Residents can review their specific ballots and locate polling places through HarrisVotes.com, with additional district information available from Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, Klein ISD and Tomball ISD.

Stay connected with My Neighborhood News for continued coverage of the November 3 election, Northwest Houston school district issues, Harris County leadership and developments affecting Cypress, Klein, Tomball and surrounding neighborhoods.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

Local business spotlight

Grow your business
where trust already lives.

Let’s introduce your business to the neighbors nearby.

Spotlight My Business →

Have a local favorite? Recommend a business