Amherst, Texas Public Records

For matters specifically tied to city regulations, Amherst City Hall can provide assistance with zoning details, building permits, and other municipal records that affect real estate transactions and development projects within the community.

Texas residents can begin the voter registration process online by downloading an application from the Texas Secretary of State website at www.sos.state.tx.us/elections, though the completed form must be printed, signed, and mailed to the Lamb County Voter Registrar. Applications are also available at the Lamb County Clerk's office, public libraries, and various government offices around the area. Registration must be postmarked or submitted 30 days before an election to be valid for that contest. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, Texas residents, at least 17 years and 10 months old (18 to actually vote), and not have been declared mentally incapacitated or finally convicted of a felony unless they've completed their sentence including probation and parole. A valid Texas driver's license number or personal identification number is required on the application. The City of Amherst holds municipal elections for Mayor and City Council positions, typically in May of odd-numbered years, following the uniform election date schedule that Texas cities use. The next regular city election is set for May 2025, with subsequent elections following in May 2027. Information about candidates, local ballot measures, and filing deadlines can be obtained from Amherst City Hall at (806) 246-3344. Candidate filing typically opens in January and closes in February for May elections. Voters in the city can find their assigned polling location by contacting the Lamb County Elections office or visiting the Texas Secretary of State's voter information portal at www.sos.state.tx.us where they can enter their address to find their precinct and polling place. Early voting is available at locations designated by the County Elections Administrator, typically including the Lamb County Clerk's office and possibly satellite locations, for a period beginning the 17th day and ending the 4th day before Election Day. Texas public information law opens up numerous election records to public view. Voter registration lists are public information available for purchase for political purposes. Campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political committees are public and searchable through the Texas Ethics Commission website at www.ethics.state.tx.us. Candidate applications and petition signatures are public records maintained by the filing authority. Election results by precinct become public information after elections are canvassed. In the November 2024 presidential election, Lamb County showed typical High Plains voting patterns with strong Republican performance. Turnout in Lamb County was approximately 50-60% of registered voters, consistent with rural Texas counties in presidential election years. Specific precinct-level data for the city can be obtained from the County Elections office. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, Amherst and Lamb County voters will participate in the Texas gubernatorial election, as the Governor's four-year term is up in 2026. All statewide executive offices will be on the ballot, including Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, Land Commissioner, and Agriculture Commissioner. Texas's two U.S. Senate seats are Class I (John Cornyn, up in 2026) and Class II (Ted Cruz, up in 2024), so the 2026 ballot will include the U.S. Senate race for Cornyn's seat. All U.S. House seats are contested every two years; the city is located in Texas Congressional District 19. State legislative races for the Texas House of Representatives District 72 and Texas Senate districts will be on the ballot. County offices including Sheriff, County Judge, County Clerk, District Clerk, Tax Assessor-Collector, County Commissioners, and various precinct-level positions may also be contested depending on term schedules. May 2027 will feature city elections for local positions. Texas allows absentee voting by mail only for voters who meet specific criteria: those 65 years or older, voters who will be absent from the county during the entire early voting period and Election Day, those confined in jail but eligible to vote, or voters with a sickness or physical condition preventing in-person voting. Applications for mail ballots (called "application for ballot by mail" in Texas) can be downloaded from the Texas Secretary of State website or requested from the Lamb County Elections office. Applications must be received (not just postmarked) by the 11th day before Election Day for regular elections. Completed mail ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received by 5:00 PM the day after Election Day, or hand-delivered by 7:00 PM on Election Day.