Citing concerns with the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Greg Abbott has modified Texas election law to allow local governments to postpone their 2020 elections.
Texas cities and school districts will now have the ability to postpone their May 2, 2020 elections until November 3, 2020.
“I strongly encourage local election officials to take advantage of these waivers and postpone their elections until November,” Abbott said in a news release. “Right now, the state’s focus is responding to COVID-19 — including social distancing and avoiding large gatherings. By delaying this election, our local election officials can assist in that effort.”
It’s not yet clear how the state will address the May 26 runoff elections, which includes the primary between Democratic U.S. Senate candidates MJ Hegar and state Sen. Royce West.
Photo: SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty Images
Fernando covers Texas politics and government at the Texas Signal. Before joining the Signal, Fernando spent two years at the Houston Chronicle and previously interned at Houston’s NPR station News 88.7. He is a graduate of the University of Houston, Jack J. Valenti School of Communication, and enjoys reading, highlighting things, and arguing on social media. You can follow him on Twitter at @fernramirez93 or email at fernando@texassignalarchive.com
