General Election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Trump's Project 2025 agenda, ICE partnerships forced on Travis County by state law, attacks on honest teaching, and new barriers to voting are all on the ballot this year. This guide explains what each office does, who is running, and who I'm voting for.
Your ballot depends on where you live, so pull up your sample ballot at VoteTravis.gov first. Then open one section at a time below. Each race shows my pick right on its label.
These are my personal picks. The goal of this guide is to give you enough information to feel informed and make the choice for yourself.
Tap a race name to jump to its details. Uncontested races and special districts are in their own sections below.
Senators serve six-year terms, pass federal laws, and confirm federal judges, Supreme Court justices, and cabinet members. The Senate is closely divided, so this seat could decide which of Trump's nominees and lifetime judges get confirmed through early 2033. I want a senator who will stand up to Trump and Project 2025, oppose the SAVE Act, and defend health care, reproductive rights, and immigrant families.
Representatives serve two-year terms and each represent about 760,000 people. The House controls spending and investigations, so the majority decides how much of a check Congress puts on the president and ICE. I want representatives who will fight Project 2025, demand real oversight of ICE, and oppose the SAVE Act.
Texas Republicans redrew the congressional map in 2025, so check your sample ballot to see which district you're in now.
Representatives serve two-year terms and each represent about 760,000 people. The House controls spending and investigations, so the majority decides how much of a check Congress puts on the president and ICE. I want representatives who will fight Project 2025, demand real oversight of ICE, and oppose the SAVE Act.
Texas Republicans redrew the congressional map in 2025, so check your sample ballot to see which district you're in now.
The Governor signs or vetoes bills, can strike items from the budget, calls special sessions, and appoints hundreds of officials. Governor Abbott used those powers to push mid-decade redistricting and the law forcing sheriffs into ICE partnerships. I want a Governor who will fully fund public schools, expand health care, protect reproductive rights, and veto laws targeting immigrants, LGBTQ Texans, and voters.
The Lieutenant Governor runs the Texas Senate and decides which bills get a vote, which is why the job is often called the most powerful office in Texas. Bills on schools, immigration, abortion, guns, and voting live or die there. I want someone who will run the Senate fairly and focus on public schools, health care, and affordability.
The Attorney General is the state's top lawyer and decides when Texas sues the federal government, companies, or cities like Austin. The office has recently gone after voter registration groups, immigrant shelters, and families of transgender kids. I want an Attorney General who protects consumers, workers, and voters and restores ethics to the office.
The Commissioner runs the Department of Agriculture, which supports farmers and ranchers, regulates pesticides, inspects gas pumps and grocery scales, and oversees school lunch programs. I want a competent administrator who backs small farms, farmworkers, and strong school nutrition.
The Comptroller is the state's chief financial officer. The office collects taxes, issues the revenue estimate that caps the state budget (including school funding), and now runs the new school voucher program. I want honest, transparent numbers and strict accountability for vouchers.
The Land Commissioner manages state land and mineral rights that fund public schools, plus coastal protection, the Alamo, veterans' land programs, and federal disaster recovery money. I want disaster funds distributed fairly, including to low-income communities and communities of color.
Despite the name, the Railroad Commission regulates oil and gas, pipelines, and mining. Its weak oversight of natural gas weatherization contributed to the 2021 winter storm blackouts. I want a commissioner who holds the industry accountable on weatherization, pollution, and well cleanup, and isn't funded mainly by the companies they regulate.
The board sets curriculum standards and approves instructional materials for every Texas public school. It recently approved Bible-based reading lessons for elementary schools. I want board members who defend accurate history and science, protect critical thinking, and keep religion out of the curriculum.
State senators serve four-year terms and write state laws and the budget alongside the House. Only District 21 is on the Travis County ballot this year.
The 150 House members serve two-year terms. The Legislature passed the ICE partnership mandate, redrew Texas's congressional maps mid-decade, and has repeatedly overridden Austin's local decisions. I want representatives who will fight to repeal forced ICE partnerships, protect local control, defend reproductive rights and honest teaching, and build coalitions in a Republican-led House.
The 150 House members serve two-year terms. The Legislature passed the ICE partnership mandate, redrew Texas's congressional maps mid-decade, and has repeatedly overridden Austin's local decisions. I want representatives who will fight to repeal forced ICE partnerships, protect local control, defend reproductive rights and honest teaching, and build coalitions in a Republican-led House.
The 150 House members serve two-year terms. The Legislature passed the ICE partnership mandate, redrew Texas's congressional maps mid-decade, and has repeatedly overridden Austin's local decisions. I want representatives who will fight to repeal forced ICE partnerships, protect local control, defend reproductive rights and honest teaching, and build coalitions in a Republican-led House.
The 150 House members serve two-year terms. The Legislature passed the ICE partnership mandate, redrew Texas's congressional maps mid-decade, and has repeatedly overridden Austin's local decisions. I want representatives who will fight to repeal forced ICE partnerships, protect local control, defend reproductive rights and honest teaching, and build coalitions in a Republican-led House.
The 150 House members serve two-year terms. The Legislature passed the ICE partnership mandate, redrew Texas's congressional maps mid-decade, and has repeatedly overridden Austin's local decisions. I want representatives who will fight to repeal forced ICE partnerships, protect local control, defend reproductive rights and honest teaching, and build coalitions in a Republican-led House.
The 150 House members serve two-year terms. The Legislature passed the ICE partnership mandate, redrew Texas's congressional maps mid-decade, and has repeatedly overridden Austin's local decisions. I want representatives who will fight to repeal forced ICE partnerships, protect local control, defend reproductive rights and honest teaching, and build coalitions in a Republican-led House.
Texas House District 46 is uncontested. See the Uncontested Races section.
Texas judges run in partisan elections, and higher court judges serve six-year terms. Every seat on the Court of Criminal Appeals and the Texas Supreme Court is held by a Republican. I look for independent, experienced judges who protect the rights of everyone, including immigrants, LGBTQ Texans, and people accused of crimes.
The highest criminal court in Texas reviews every death sentence and has the final word on criminal cases. After the court ruled in 2021 that the Attorney General can't prosecute voter fraud cases on his own, Ken Paxton campaigned to unseat three of the judges who ruled against him. No Democrat has won a seat on this court since 1994. I want judges with real criminal law experience who take due process and wrongful convictions seriously.
The highest criminal court in Texas reviews every death sentence and has the final word on criminal cases. After the court ruled in 2021 that the Attorney General can't prosecute voter fraud cases on his own, Ken Paxton campaigned to unseat three of the judges who ruled against him. No Democrat has won a seat on this court since 1994. I want judges with real criminal law experience who take due process and wrongful convictions seriously.
The highest criminal court in Texas reviews every death sentence and has the final word on criminal cases. After the court ruled in 2021 that the Attorney General can't prosecute voter fraud cases on his own, Ken Paxton campaigned to unseat three of the judges who ruled against him. No Democrat has won a seat on this court since 1994. I want judges with real criminal law experience who take due process and wrongful convictions seriously.
The highest court for civil and juvenile cases has the final say on abortion laws, election disputes, local control, and workers' and consumers' rights. It upheld Texas's near-total abortion ban and its ban on gender-transition care for minors. All four Republican incumbents are backed by Texans for Lawsuit Reform and by big law firm and energy PACs. I want independent justices who protect constitutional rights and access to the courts.
The highest court for civil and juvenile cases has the final say on abortion laws, election disputes, local control, and workers' and consumers' rights. It upheld Texas's near-total abortion ban and its ban on gender-transition care for minors. All four Republican incumbents are backed by Texans for Lawsuit Reform and by big law firm and energy PACs. I want independent justices who protect constitutional rights and access to the courts.
The highest court for civil and juvenile cases has the final say on abortion laws, election disputes, local control, and workers' and consumers' rights. It upheld Texas's near-total abortion ban and its ban on gender-transition care for minors. All four Republican incumbents are backed by Texans for Lawsuit Reform and by big law firm and energy PACs. I want independent justices who protect constitutional rights and access to the courts.
The highest court for civil and juvenile cases has the final say on abortion laws, election disputes, local control, and workers' and consumers' rights. It upheld Texas's near-total abortion ban and its ban on gender-transition care for minors. All four Republican incumbents are backed by Texans for Lawsuit Reform and by big law firm and energy PACs. I want independent justices who protect constitutional rights and access to the courts.
The Legislature created this statewide court in 2023 to hear cases involving state government. When Austin challenges state overreach, or groups challenge state voting and immigration laws, the case goes here. Abbott appointed every current justice, so the judges hearing cases about his government were all chosen by him. This is the first time voters get to elect anyone to this court. I want justices who rule independently of state political leaders.
The Legislature created this statewide court in 2023 to hear cases involving state government. When Austin challenges state overreach, or groups challenge state voting and immigration laws, the case goes here. Abbott appointed every current justice, so the judges hearing cases about his government were all chosen by him. This is the first time voters get to elect anyone to this court. I want justices who rule independently of state political leaders.
The Legislature created this statewide court in 2023 to hear cases involving state government. When Austin challenges state overreach, or groups challenge state voting and immigration laws, the case goes here. Abbott appointed every current justice, so the judges hearing cases about his government were all chosen by him. This is the first time voters get to elect anyone to this court. I want justices who rule independently of state political leaders.
This court hears appeals from Travis and surrounding counties, and most Austin-area appeals stop here. I want an experienced, fair-minded judge who keeps the court efficient and independent.
Five of Austin's 10 council districts are on the ballot this year. Check your sample ballot to see which district you're in and whether your district has a race. Races are nonpartisan; if no one wins a majority, the top two go to a December 12 runoff. Candidates are listed in ballot order.
Council sets the city budget, zoning, and police policy, and oversees Austin Energy and Austin Water. I want council members who keep Austin police out of immigration enforcement as far as state law allows, fund legal help for immigrant families, and push for affordable housing and better transit.
Council sets the city budget, zoning, and police policy, and oversees Austin Energy and Austin Water. I want council members who keep Austin police out of immigration enforcement as far as state law allows, fund legal help for immigrant families, and push for affordable housing and better transit.
Council sets the city budget, zoning, and police policy, and oversees Austin Energy and Austin Water. I want council members who keep Austin police out of immigration enforcement as far as state law allows, fund legal help for immigrant families, and push for affordable housing and better transit.
Council sets the city budget, zoning, and police policy, and oversees Austin Energy and Austin Water. I want council members who keep Austin police out of immigration enforcement as far as state law allows, fund legal help for immigrant families, and push for affordable housing and better transit.
Council sets the city budget, zoning, and police policy, and oversees Austin Energy and Austin Water. I want council members who keep Austin police out of immigration enforcement as far as state law allows, fund legal help for immigrant families, and push for affordable housing and better transit.
Props are personal. Please review them for yourself.
How you vote on a proposition depends on your own situation and priorities, including how a tax change affects your household. My positions are a starting point, and I strongly recommend reading each one and deciding what is right for you.
All Austin voters will see these ten propositions. Props A and B are bonds that would raise property taxes. Props C through J would amend the City Charter, Austin's equivalent of a constitution.
$260 million in bonds for parks, recreation centers, trails, pools, and parkland. This is a property tax increase: the City estimates a maximum annual increase of $8.14 for each $100,000 of a homestead's appraised value (about $41 a year on a $500,000 home). It includes $65.5 million for park buildings, $65 million for parkland improvements, $65 million for four pools, $35 million for new parks and trails, and $29.5 million for park infrastructure.
Council voted 8 to 3 to put the bonds on the ballot. The Parks Department hasn't received new bond money since 2018.
Supporters say: Repairs can't wait. The parks system has $1.8 billion in unmet needs and four pools at risk of shutting down, and the package is small enough not to be a major burden on taxpayers.
Opponents say: Mayor Kirk Watson and city financial staff wanted to wait until 2028, because money from earlier bonds hasn't been fully spent yet. Others point out that voters rejected the Prop Q tax increase less than a year ago, and object to the city holding bond elections every two years instead of every five or six.
$35 million in bonds for libraries, including the Hampton at Oak Hill branch and a new Colony Park branch. This is a property tax increase: the City estimates a maximum annual increase of $1.10 for each $100,000 of a homestead's appraised value (about $5.50 a year on a $500,000 home). It includes $20 million to renovate and expand the Hampton Branch at Oak Hill and $15 million for a new library and public health center at Colony Park.
Council put this on the ballot with Prop A, by the same 8 to 3 vote.
Supporters say: Library repairs and expansion can't wait, and Colony Park in Northeast Austin gets a new library and public health center.
Opponents say: Mayor Kirk Watson and city financial staff wanted to wait until 2028, because money from earlier bonds hasn't been fully spent yet. Others point out that voters rejected the Prop Q tax increase less than a year ago, and object to the city holding bond elections every two years instead of every five or six.
Updates the rules for the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, the resident board that redraws City Council district lines every 10 years. It spells out that the commission is independent of council, lets it review district boundaries, lets it recruit more applicants, and makes college students eligible to serve.
Recommended by the 2024 Charter Review Commission to clarify and strengthen the commission's independence.
Removes the requirement that City Council meet at least once a week.
Council currently meets about every other week and cancels the extra meetings to stay within the charter. This change would rewrite the charter to match what council is already doing.
Removes the requirement that council set its meeting rules and order of business by ordinance, so it can adopt and update them another way, such as by resolution.
The ordinance requirement came up in a 2024 lawsuit over how council ran its meetings. Removing it gives council a simpler way to set and update its rules.
Clarifies the term "election" and moves the yearly update of campaign contribution and spending limits from the summer budget process to January 1.
The limits are adjusted for inflation each year. Setting them on January 1 keeps them the same for the whole calendar year, instead of changing partway through.
Requires elections on citizen petitions and petitioned charter amendments to be held in November of even-numbered years, instead of at the next available election date.
Petition elections are often held off-cycle, when turnout is low and the election can cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Supporters say: Holding these votes during high-turnout November elections lets more voters decide and avoids costly low-turnout elections.
Opponents say: A member of the Charter Review Commission argued that limiting these votes to high-turnout elections is a judgment about which voters should decide, and it can delay residents' petitions by up to two years.
Has City Council, instead of the City Manager, appoint and remove the City Attorney.
Today the City Manager, who is hired staff, picks the city's top lawyer. Supporters say the attorney should answer to elected officials, and note that few Texas cities of Austin's size let the manager make this choice alone. Voters narrowly rejected a similar change in 2012, by about 3,000 votes.
Requires a regular independent affordability and efficiency audit of the city, including before any tax rate increase election.
This is the one citizen-initiated amendment, put on the ballot by a Save Austin Now petition.
Supporters say: An outside audit written into the charter shows taxpayers how money is spent and can't be changed by council without voter approval.
Opponents say: Mayor Kirk Watson and Equity Action argue it duplicates the multiyear outside audit council already approved and could open the door to privatizing city services.
Fixes typos and removes charter language that is outdated or overridden by state law or court orders.
Technical changes to keep the charter accurate. It makes no policy changes.
Most county offices, including County Judge, County Clerk (who runs county elections), and both Commissioners Court seats, are uncontested this year. They're listed under Uncontested Races.
A 2025 state law (SB 8) requires every Texas sheriff who runs a jail to sign a 287(g) agreement with ICE by December 1, 2026. Sheriff Sally Hernandez, who isn't on the ballot this year, chooses among three models, from a narrow one limited to serving ICE warrants in the jail to a task force model that lets deputies question people about immigration status during routine stops.
The County Judge and Commissioners Court control the Sheriff's budget, so they can push for the narrowest agreement, require public reporting, and fund legal defense for immigrant families. The state legislators and statewide officials on this ballot decide whether the mandate stays law.
The appraisal district sets the taxable value of every property in the county, which drives property tax bills and affects rents. The board hires the chief appraiser and approves the budget but doesn't review individual values. I want fair, transparent appraisals and an easier protest process for homeowners.
School board races are nonpartisan, and candidates are listed in ballot order. ACC Place 2 is uncontested. AISD District 4 is not included.
The nine trustees set the budget, hire the superintendent, and decide school closures. AISD faces a possible state takeover, budget shortfalls, closures, and fear among immigrant families about ICE near schools. I want trustees who protect immigrant, LGBTQ, and students of color, defend honest teaching, support teachers, and are transparent with families.
The nine trustees set the budget, hire the superintendent, and decide school closures. AISD faces a possible state takeover, budget shortfalls, closures, and fear among immigrant families about ICE near schools. I want trustees who protect immigrant, LGBTQ, and students of color, defend honest teaching, support teachers, and are transparent with families.
The nine trustees set the budget, hire the superintendent, and decide school closures. AISD faces a possible state takeover, budget shortfalls, closures, and fear among immigrant families about ICE near schools. I want trustees who protect immigrant, LGBTQ, and students of color, defend honest teaching, support teachers, and are transparent with families.
The nine trustees set the budget, hire the superintendent, and decide school closures. AISD faces a possible state takeover, budget shortfalls, closures, and fear among immigrant families about ICE near schools. I want trustees who protect immigrant, LGBTQ, and students of color, defend honest teaching, support teachers, and are transparent with families.
The nine trustees serve six-year terms and set the college's budget, tax rate, and tuition. I want trustees who keep tuition affordable, defend academic freedom, and support students from every background.
The nine trustees serve six-year terms and set the college's budget, tax rate, and tuition. I want trustees who keep tuition affordable, defend academic freedom, and support students from every background.
These boards run local services in specific neighborhoods and can levy taxes and issue bonds. Each one is only on the ballot for people who live in that district, so check your sample ballot to see if you have one. I have not researched these candidates.
A water control and improvement district (WCID) supplies water and handles drainage and flood control for its area, paid for with its own property tax and bonds.
A municipal utility district (MUD) provides water, sewer, and drainage to a neighborhood outside full city service, paid for with its own property tax and bonds.
A municipal utility district (MUD) provides water, sewer, and drainage to a neighborhood outside full city service, paid for with its own property tax and bonds.
A municipal management district (MMD) pays for extras in a commercial or mixed-use area, like infrastructure, landscaping, and security, through property assessments.
A municipal utility district (MUD) provides water, sewer, and drainage to a neighborhood outside full city service, paid for with its own property tax and bonds.
A water control and improvement district (WCID) supplies water and handles drainage and flood control for its area, paid for with its own property tax and bonds.
A municipal utility district (MUD) provides water, sewer, and drainage to a neighborhood outside full city service, paid for with its own property tax and bonds.
A municipal utility district (MUD) provides water, sewer, and drainage to a neighborhood outside full city service, paid for with its own property tax and bonds.
Each of these has only one candidate, so there is nothing to decide. District courts, county courts at law, and the probate court are countywide. Justice of the Peace races are by precinct, so check your sample ballot to see which precinct you're in.
| Texas House, District 46 | Sheryl Cole (D), incumbent |
| County Clerk (runs county elections) | Dyana Limon-Mercado (D) |
| County Judge | Andy Brown (D) |
| Commissioners Court, Precinct 2 | Brigid Shea (D), incumbent |
| Commissioners Court, Precinct 4 | George Morales III (D), appointed in June |
| District Clerk | Velva Price (D) |
| County Treasurer | Dolores Ortega Carter (D), incumbent |
| Constable, Precinct 4 (unexpired term) | Gabriel Padilla (D) |
| Appraisal District Board, Place 1 | Skyler Korgel |
| Appraisal District Board, Place 2 | Brian Peña |
| 147th | Clifford A. Brown (D) |
| 201st | Amy Clark Meachum (D) |
| 250th (open seat) | Kennon Wooten (D) |
| 261st | Daniella Deseta Lyttle (D) |
| 299th | Karen Sage (D) |
| 331st | Chantal Eldridge (D), incumbent |
| 403rd | Brandy Mueller (D), incumbent |
| 419th | Catherine Mauzy (D) |
| 455th | Laurie Eiserloh (D), incumbent |
| 459th | Maya Guerra Gamble (D), incumbent |
| Court at Law No. 1 | Todd Wong (D), incumbent |
| Court at Law No. 2 | Leslie Dippel (D) |
| Court at Law No. 3 | Bianca Garcia (D), incumbent |
| Court at Law No. 4 | Dimple Malhotra (D), incumbent |
| Court at Law No. 5 | Mary Ann Espiritu (D), incumbent |
| Court at Law No. 6 | Denise Hernández (D) |
| Court at Law No. 7 | Elisabeth A. Earle (D) |
| Probate Court No. 1 | Guy Herman (D), incumbent |
| Precinct 1 | Ciara Parks (D) |
| Precinct 2 | Mariel Kelley (D) |
| Precinct 3 | Sylvia Holmes (D), incumbent |
| Precinct 4 | Raul Arturo Gonzalez (D) |
| Precinct 5 | Tanisa Jeffers (D) |
| ACC Board, Place 2 | Gigi Edwards Bryant, incumbent |
| North Austin MUD 1, Place 2 | Don Conklin |