Artesia Wells, Texas Public Records

Texas residents can register to vote online or by mail through the Texas Secretary of State's website at www.texas.gov or www.sos.state.tx.us, with registration applications due at least 30 days before an election. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, residents of the county where they register, and not finally convicted of a felony or have completed their sentence, including parole and probation. Because Artesia Wells is an unincorporated community with no municipal government, there are no city council or mayoral elections specific to the area. Residents vote in county, state, and federal elections only. La Salle County voters elect a County Judge, four County Commissioners by precinct, Sheriff, County and District Clerk, Tax Assessor-Collector, County Attorney, and other county offices on a four-year cycle. Texas state legislative seats representing the county include a State Senate district and a State House district, with elections held every two and four years respectively depending on the chamber. Local voters can look up their assigned polling place by visiting the Texas Secretary of State's website and using the "My Voter Portal" tool, or by contacting the county Elections office directly. Early voting is available at designated locations in Cotulla for approximately two weeks before each election, with specific dates and hours published by the Elections Administrator. In the November 2024 general election, the county saw moderate voter turnout, with the area historically leaning Republican in recent presidential elections, though local races can be competitive and the county has a significant Hispanic population that influences electoral dynamics. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, voters will decide several key races: the Governor of Texas will be on the ballot, as governors serve four-year terms and the next gubernatorial election is in 2026, as will one U.S. Senate seat, Texas has two U.S. Senators with terms staggered, so voters should confirm which seat is up in 2026. All Texas State House seats appear every two years, and numerous county offices will be decided including potentially Sheriff, County Judge, County Commissioners, County Clerk, and others depending on the specific election cycle for each office. Voters should also anticipate potential state constitutional amendments, which Texas submits to voters frequently. Texas offers mail-in absentee voting only to voters who meet specific criteria: voters 65 or older, voters who will be out of the county during the entire early voting period and on Election Day, voters who are sick or disabled, or voters who are confined in jail but otherwise eligible. Applications for mail-in ballots, known as "Application for Ballot by Mail," must be submitted to the La Salle County Elections Administrator and received no later than eleven days before Election Day. Texas does not offer no-excuse absentee voting. Public election records in Texas include voter registration lists available with restrictions to candidates and political parties, precinct-level election results published by the Secretary of State and county election offices, campaign finance reports filed with the Texas Ethics Commission for state candidates and with county clerks for local candidates, and candidate applications and filings available from election administrators. The Texas Secretary of State maintains a searchable database of election results at elections.sos.state.tx.us, and the county posts unofficial results after each election, with official canvassed results available from the La Salle County Clerk.