Below is a modified re-post about run-off elections in Houston.

If you live outside of Houston, be sure to check for any current or approaching run-off elections in your area.

As is obvious to anyone who follows this blog, I support the #Occupy movement. But the most important thing IS to Occupy is the Ballot.

Statistically, more Americans identify as Democrats than as Republicans (Republicanians?). However, GOP voters are more likely to show up at the actual polls on election days.

Change begins at the ballot box. #OccupyTheBallot. Don’t let a majority of less than 10% of the electorate choose your Council members!

I received an email … which has most of the information that a Houston resident will need. (I have slightly revised it.) It is posted below the jump.

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RUN-OFF ELECTION: DEC 10th,   Saturday  (Details below)

EARLY VOTE: DEC 4th thru DEC 6th    (Details below)

Dec 10 Runoff Locations, per Neighborhood: www.harrisvotes.com/VoterBallotSearch.aspx or — Election Information Line: (713) 755-6965

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Early Voting,  Hours of Operation

• December 4th: 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• December 5th: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• December 6th: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

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Early Voting,  Spring Branch Location: Trini Mendenhall Sosa Community Center 1414 Wirt Road, 77055

Early Voting,  More Locations: http://www.harrisvotes.com/EarlyVoting/earlyvotinglocations_schedule.pdf (713) 755-6965

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“… As I’m writing this email bulldozers are excavating on my street …This is a great big deal.  Our neighborhood group had been working on this project since 1993, and according to Al Russell, our Superneighborhood rep, it was Jolanda who finally got this project going!”  –Anne Weedman,     Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:24:10 -0800

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Spring Branch Democrats voted to endorse the following Democrats in the December 10 runoff: Please be sure to Vote.      At Large Pos. 2:  Democrat Kristi Thibaut     At Large Pos. 5:  Democrat Jolanda Jones

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Kristi Thibaut, endorsed by the HOUSTON CHRONICLE  is a former State Representative. who lost her seat to a Republican. She was very successful in getting elected in the first place, being in a republican area. While in office, she was voted  Freshman of the Year  by the House Democratic Caucus.

“I have extensive experience in public service and non-profit fundraising. I managed numerous events and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Houston chapter of the American Heart Association, was proud to be the first Executive Director of the Texas Youth Hunting Association, a joint project of the Texas Wildlife Association and the State of Texas, and worked several years in the private sector for Continental Airlines. I have also served as a volunteer for the American Heart Association and the Houston Kiwanis Club. I am a native of Bay City and a graduate of the University of Texas-Austin, with degrees in kinesiology and government. “ ~ http://www.votethibaut.com/

Councilmember Jones was also endorsed by the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. She has been working closely with our super-neighborhood organization, and her staff has attended our TIRZ board meetings religiously, as well as working closely with Memorial area, and many other areas in town that we are aware of. She’s assisted residents in their investigations and aided them in empowering them to further their cause, and, at times, faced intimidation for doing so. She is an attorney who graduated magna cum laude from UH in political science, after graduating magna cum laude from Elsik HS;  and went on to earn her law degree at UH.   Houston Chronicle:   “After carefully examining the facts, the Chronicle endorses Jones for re-election and urges voters to return her to City Hall for a final term.”

“I negotiated changes to the water rate and drainage fee that provided for increased fairness to the poor, seniors and the disabled. I advocated for property rights and flooding mitigation across the city. I will continue to speak up for citizens that have no voice in decision-making at City Hall.”   ~ Jolanda Jones

“… City Council Members aren’t supposed to just be voices for power brokers;  they’re supposed to stand up for average citizens. That’s exactly what Jolanda Jones does and that’s why I’ll be standing with her on Election Day.”  ~ Chris Bell,     Former Member of Congress and  City Council