HTX-BMW: Impact 10/28/2025

A total of 79,647 in-person and mail ballot votes have been cast in Harris County halfway through the 12-day early voting period ahead of the Nov. 4 general and special elections, according to the county clerk’s office.

By the numbers: That’s nearly 607,000 less votes compared to the 2024 general election early voting numbers, where Harris County voters cast more than 686,500 ballot votes. The county’s voter registration department found that more than 2.5 million people are registered voters in the county.

At the polls: Early in-person voting runs from Oct. 20-31, and Election Day is Nov. 4. For more information about what’s on the ballot and what to bring to the polls, visit www.communityimpact.com/election.

Quote of note: Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth said in an October news release the county will have 70 early voting locations and 600 voting locations on Election Day. 

“This election provides Harris County voters an opportunity to shape the future of their communities and impact leadership at both the local and state levels,” Hudspeth said.  

On Oct. 22, the Houston Housing Authority announced new details of an ongoing initiative to redevelop Cuney Homes, the city's oldest public housing community located near the Third Ward.

The overview: According to the news release from HHA, the city secured a $50 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help kickstart the $610.7 million redevelopment, which has been gathering momentum since 2020. The initiative includes:

• Expanding housing capacity
• Improving access to healthcare
• Enhancing educational opportunities
• Fostering economic growth

Memorial Hermann Health System announced in a Oct. 23 news release that Guy B. Giesecke will take over as senior vice president and chief executive officer of Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital.

What we know: Formerly the chief executive officer over the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Giesecke will transition to his new role with Memorial Hermann immediately.

Quote of note: “I’m honored to join Children’s Memorial Hermann and contribute to an organization so deeply committed to advancing high-value, patient-centered care,” Giesecke said. “This is an exciting opportunity to help build on a legacy of excellence while supporting the health and well-being of children, families and communities across the region.”

Texas is home to about 3.5 million small businesses, according to the National Federation of Independent Businesses. Estimates show that the average Texas small-business owner could save about $2,500 per year if voters approve an expanded business tax exemption on the Nov. 4 ballot.

The details: State Proposition 9 would exempt up to $125,000 of a business’s personal property, such as equipment, furniture and vehicles, from taxation. Texas business owners currently receive a tax exemption on property worth $2,500 or less.

“At $2,500, virtually everyone's paying this tax,” NFIB Texas Director Jeff Burdett said in an Oct. 24 interview. “If you have a desk, a computer and a chair, you're probably over $2,500 [in inventory]. … It makes no difference for almost any business.”

At the polls: Early voting in the Nov. 4 election began Oct. 20 and runs through Oct. 31. For more information about the propositions and candidates on your local ballot, visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.