Early voting for Houston's runoff races has begun, and while overall turnout is expected to be light, early ballots may be a little more interesting this time around. Dec. 12, voting day, marks the festivals of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a significant religious holiday for Mexican Catholics.

The holiday recognizes the advent of the Christmas celebration in Mexico, in honor of Mexico's patron saint. Around 33 percent of Houston's 43 percent Hispanic population is of Mexican descent, according to recent census data.

Traditionally, though, voter participation among Hispanics is low. The Nov. 3 election was no exception.

"Still, those who might be inclined to vote will not turn out," said KB Forbes, a national political consultant who has worked in Texas and is a practicing Catholic of Chilean descent. He said the holiday will assure an even lower turnout than usual, and whoever has the Hispanic vote should push that constituency to vote early.

A consultant for mayoral hopeful Gene Locke's campaign had no worries; Hispanic turnout was light in the general election, although "I have talked to some Latino leaders and they are concerned," said Marc Campos, a Locke consultant. "But I don't think the religious holiday will have much effect on the outcome of the race."

The Annise Parker campaign has already focused on the early vote, given the closeness of Dec. 12 to the Christmas holiday.

"We won the Hispanic vote the first time," said Parker campaign rep Sue Davis. "And we are already making a big effort to get out the early vote."