Despite the severe storms that swept through Houston on Election Day, democracy prevailed as Harris County Clerk proudly announced the unofficial results of the May 28 Primary Runoff Elections. The county’s chief election official commended the Elections Department’s resilience and proactive measures in ensuring every vote was counted, even amidst challenging weather conditions.

"Storms cannot stop democracy," asserted Clerk Hudspeth. "Our office maintained constant communication with election judges during and after the severe weather to provide necessary support to each vote center. Even when some locations temporarily lost power, we continued processing voters because Harris County’s voting machines are equipped with an internal battery that lasts between four to six hours when disconnected from a power supply."

The severe weather affected less than five percent of the 313 Election Day vote centers, with most power outages being resolved quickly. For those experiencing prolonged outages, the Elections Department swiftly dispatched generators to keep operations running smoothly. The Houston Texans YMCA in southeast Houston was the only location to close due to storm damage.

“Our top priority is always the safety of our election workers and voters,” emphasized Clerk Hudspeth. "Thanks to the dedication of our team and the preparedness of our equipment, we were able to navigate the challenges effectively."

More than 49,000 ballots were cast in the May 28 Primary Runoff Elections, with 37% during early voting, 24% by mail, and 39% on Election Day. These elections are crucial as they determine the final candidates for the November general election from each of the two major political parties.

"I am grateful for the Countywide Polling Place program in Harris County, which allows voters the flexibility to cast their ballots at any vote center," Clerk Hudspeth added. "And I extend my heartfelt thanks to the 4,000 election workers who ensured the integrity of free and fair elections."

The Harris County Clerk’s Elections Department will publish the official results once the canvass is complete. For more information and updates, visit [HarrisVotes.com](http://www.HarrisVotes.com) and follow @HarrisVotes on social media.