Buna, Texas Public Records

Texas residents can register to vote online through the Texas Secretary of State's online voter registration system at www.votetexas.gov, or by submitting a completed voter registration application (available for download or by request from the county) by mail. The registration deadline is 30 days before any election. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, Texas residents, at least 18 years old on election day, and not finally convicted of a felony (or if convicted, have fully completed their sentence including probation and parole). Acceptable identification for voter registration includes a Texas driver's license number or personal identification card number, and if the applicant has not been issued these, the last four digits of their Social Security number. As an incorporated city, Buna holds municipal elections for mayor and city council positions. These elections typically occur in May of odd-numbered years, following the Texas Election Code provisions for home-rule and general-law municipalities. The next municipal election is scheduled for May 2025, when voters will select city leadership for two-year or three-year terms depending on the specific position. Information about candidates, filing deadlines, and local ballot measures can be obtained from City Hall at 409-994-2261 or from the Jasper County Elections office. Candidate applications and campaign finance reports, when required, are public records available for inspection. Residents can find their assigned polling location by using the Texas Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at www.votetexas.gov or by contacting the Jasper County Elections office at 409-384-2632. Polling locations are assigned based on voter registration address and precinct boundaries. Early voting for countywide and statewide elections is typically conducted at the Jasper County Courthouse and potentially additional locations announced prior to each election, running for approximately two weeks before election day, including weekend hours. Texas election records that are publicly accessible include voter registration lists (available for purchase for specific political purposes under Texas Election Code Section 18.066), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political committees (searchable through the Texas Ethics Commission at www.ethics.state.tx.us for state-level candidates, and locally for municipal candidates), candidate applications and filings, and precinct-by-precinct election results. In the November 2024 presidential election, Jasper County reported approximately 60-65% voter turnout among registered voters, with county results heavily favoring Republican candidates, consistent with Jasper County's traditional political leanings. Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, voters in the community and throughout Jasper County will decide several significant races. Texas will hold elections for Governor (Greg Abbott's term expires in 2026), Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and other statewide executive offices, all serving four-year terms. All 150 Texas House of Representatives seats will be on the ballot, including the district representing the area (currently District 18). Depending on redistricting, local voters will also elect their Texas State Senator. One of Texas's U.S. Senate seats will be contested in 2026 (Senator John Cornyn's seat is up for election). At the Jasper County level, various Jasper County positions including County Judge, County Commissioners for districts on the election cycle, County Clerk, District Clerk, County Treasurer, Sheriff, Tax Assessor-Collector, and Justice of the Peace positions will appear on the ballot depending on term schedules. Any local school board positions and potential bond propositions or constitutional amendments will also be decided. Candidate filing for the March 2026 primary elections typically begins in November 2025. Texas offers limited mail-in (absentee) voting compared to some states. Under Texas Election Code Chapter 82, voters qualify for mail-in ballots only if they: (1) are 65 years of age or older, (2) will be absent from the county during the entire early voting period and on election day, (3) are sick or disabled, or (4) are confined in jail but otherwise eligible. Applications for mail-in ballots must be submitted to the Jasper County Elections office and must be received (not postmarked) by the close of business on the 11th day before election day. Completed mail-in ballots must be received (not postmarked) by 7:00 PM on election day or, if sent by mail, must be postmarked by election day and received by 5:00 PM the following business day. Applications and detailed instructions are available at www.votetexas.gov or by calling the Jasper County Elections office at 409-384-2632.