Buda, Texas Public Records

Texas residents can register to vote online at https://www.texas.gov/living-in-texas/texas-voter-registration or by mailing a completed application; registration must be postmarked at least 30 days before an election to be eligible. Eligibility requires U.S. Citizenship, residency in Hays County, age 18 or older on election day, and no felony conviction unless the sentence including parole and probation has been completed. As an incorporated city, Buda holds municipal elections for mayor and city council positions, typically scheduled for the uniform election date in May of odd-numbered years. The next city elections will take place in May 2025 and May 2027, with council members serving staggered three-year terms. Candidate filing information and details about local ballot measures are available through the Buda City Secretary at (512) 312-0084 and posted on the city website at ci.buda.tx.us. Residents can locate their assigned polling place using the online tool on the Hays County Elections website or by calling the office directly; early voting locations are posted for each election, with the city typically hosting at least one early voting site. Under Texas law, voter registration lists are public records available for purchase with usage restrictions, campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political committees are searchable through the Texas Ethics Commission at https://www.ethics.state.tx.us, candidate applications are public documents, and detailed precinct-level results are published and archived after each election. In the November 2024 presidential election, Hays County recorded strong turnout with approximately 112,000 ballots cast from roughly 155,000 registered voters, representing over 72% participation and reflecting high civic engagement. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, voters will decide statewide and local races including all statewide executive offices such as Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General; all 150 Texas House seats with the city falling primarily in District 45; half of the 31 Texas Senate seats if the district is up; county offices including County Judge, County Commissioners for precincts up for election, County Clerk, District Clerk, Sheriff, Tax Assessor-Collector, and possibly judicial positions; and potentially local school board trustees for Hays CISD. While U.S. Senate seats will not appear on the 2026 ballot in Texas, U.S. House races will be contested. Texas maintains restrictive absentee voting rules; only voters who are 65 or older, have a disability, will be out of the county during early voting and election day, or are confined in jail qualify for mail-in ballots. Applications for mail ballots must be received by the Elections office no later than 11 days before election day, and completed ballots must arrive by 7:00 PM on election day as postmarks do not count. Most local voters cast ballots either during the early voting period, typically 11 days before election day, or on election day at their assigned precinct polling place.