The Nov. 5, 2002 General Election marks the fist time that voters on Election Day will be voting their General Election ballots with the eSlate voting system. Many voters are familiar with the eSlate system having used it already during early voting during the 2001 City of Houston elections and the political party primaries this past March and April.

Early voting began October 19, and voters will be able to cast their ballots for Federal, State, and County offices. In addition, various entities such as Houston Independent School District (HISD), City of Seabrook and the City of Nassau Bay will be holding special bond elections. Unique to this ballot is the Straight-Party voting option which is provided to the voter as a voting option. The option appears first on the ballots and allows a voter to cast a ballot for all candidates from one particular party. Voters with questions in regards to polling locations or ballot-by-mail may call 713/755-6965. Language assistance in Vietnamese and Spanish is available.