December runoff
Everything you need to know to vote in Austin's December runoff election
Several leadership positions in Austin have yet to be decided following the November election.
Neither Kirk Watson nor Celia Israel received more than 50 percent in the Austin mayoral election, forcing a runoff. The same is true for the District 3, 5, and 9 Austin City Council seats.
Early voting for the runoff election will run from Thursday, December 1, through Friday, December 9. Election Day is Tuesday, December 13.
Here is everything you need to know about voting in the election, from polling locations to what you may see on your ballot.
When and where to vote
Registered and eligible Austinites may vote at any early voting location. You can find early voting locations in your area on the Vote Texas website. All voters have to do is plug in their information in order to find polling locations.
During early voting, polling place hours vary at each location. On Election Day, December 13, voters will also able to cast ballots at any polling location in Austin; polls are open from 7 am. to 7 pm. As long as you are in line by 7 pm, you will be able to vote.
What's on the ballot
Austin Mayor
Former Austin mayor and state senator Kirk Watson and State Rep. Celia Israel face each other again in December's runoff. Watson previously served as mayor of Austin from 1997 until 2001 and spent 13 years in the Texas Senate, to which he was elected from 2007 to 2020. On his site, Watson says his main priorities include the city’s rising cost of living, homelessness, systemic racism and transportation.
Celia Israel has represented the Austin area since 2014 as a member of the Texas House of Representatives. Her main issues including addressing the city’s affordability, mobility and public safety challenges, as well as prioritizing reproductive rights and sexual health.
Austin City Council – District 3
José Velásquez and Daniela Silva face each other again receiving 36 percent and 34 percent of the vote, respectively, for District 3, which covers Central-East and East Austin.
Velásquez was raised in East Austin and says he "will always fight to ensure that every voice is heard as we work together towards an affordable, accountable and equitable Austin for ALL." Silva moved to Austin after she completed her graduate studies and is passionate about environmental justice, affordable and sustainable housing, public education, restorative justice and equity-oriented transit development.
Austin City Council – District 5
Stephanie Bazan and Ryan Alter face each other again after receiving 29 percent and 25 percent of the vote, respectively, for District 5, which covers primarily South Austin and part of Central Austin.
Bazan is a native Austinite who says she wants to "amplify the voices of South Austinites and address affordability, so families can remain in this vibrant city, and ALL our neighbors can thrive." Alter was also raised in Austin and his primary issues include housing, homelessness, transportation and the environment.
Austin City Council – District 9
Zohaib Qadri and Linda Guerrero face each other again after receiving 30 percent and 22 percent of the vote, respectively, for District 9, which covers Central Austin.
Qadri says he has worked in advocacy roles and on political campaigns in Austin and across the country; is primary issues include "abundant homes for an affordable Austin," "tackling the climate crisis" and "creating healthy, safe communities." Guerrero is a lifelong resident of District 9 who says she will "continue to bring people together to find practical solutions to our city’s most pressing issues affecting all of us."
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For the full story, including detailed information on each candidate, and a video, head to KVUE.com.