Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee's death leaves a void in a closely divided House of Representatives. The Texas Election Code provides a two-step process for filling the seat of a House member who dies in office. One is the process for filling the deceased member's place on the November ballot. The candidate will be selected by a vote of Harris County Democratic Party precinct chairs in an open contest. The party has until August 26th at 5 p.m. to hold that vote, according to Texas law. There are roughly 130 precinct chairs currently in office. "And there will be a special election to fill out the (unexpired) term," said Michael Adams, who teaches political science at Texas Southern University. "It will be called by the Governor." The offices of Texas' 18th Congressional District continue to function even without a congressperson, with staff providing constituent services. "The Congresswoman's final message to her Chief of Staff, Lillie Coney, and her District Director was to see t...