Bushland, Texas Public Records

Texas residents can register online through the Secretary of State website at www.votetexas.gov, or by mailing a completed application to the Potter County elections office. Applications must be postmarked at least 30 days before any election. When voting in person, Texas requires one of seven approved photo IDs: a Texas driver's license, Texas Election Identification Certificate, Texas personal identification card, Texas handgun license, U.S. Military ID with photo, U.S. Citizenship certificate with photo, or U.S. Passport. Those without acceptable photo ID may sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and provide supporting documentation. As an unincorporated community, the area holds no municipal elections for mayor or city council. Instead, residents vote in Potter County elections for county commissioners, county judge, sheriff, county clerk, district clerk, county attorney, constables, and justices of the peace. They also participate in Bushland Independent School District board trustee elections, typically held on the uniform election date in May. State legislative races include Texas House and Senate districts covering Potter County. Voters can locate their assigned polling place through the Texas Secretary of State's locator at www.votetexas.gov or by contacting the Potter County elections office directly. Polling locations sometimes differ between early voting and election day. Texas makes certain election records publicly available. Voter registration lists go to candidates, political parties, and limited public uses. Campaign finance reports can be searched online through the Texas Ethics Commission at www.ethics.state.tx.us for state candidates, and through the Federal Election Commission for federal races. The county elections office and Secretary of State publish candidate filing information and precinct-level results. In the November 2024 presidential election, Potter County recorded roughly 30,000-35,000 voters, representing about 45-50% of registered voters in this reliably conservative Panhandle county. The November 3, 2026 general election will bring significant races for local voters. Though not a presidential year, Texas will decide major statewide contests. The Governor of Texas (currently Greg Abbott, term expires 2027) will appear on the ballot, along with Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, Land Commissioner, Agriculture Commissioner, and Railroad Commissioner. All 150 Texas House seats will be contested, plus approximately half of the 31 Senate seats. Residents will elect their state representative and potentially their state senator depending on district cycles. While U.S. Senate seats are currently held by John Cornyn (term expires 2027) and Ted Cruz (term expires 2025), the 2026 election includes one Senate race for the six-year term beginning in 2027. Every U.S. House seat faces election, including Texas Congressional District 13 covering much of the Panhandle. Potter County offices on the ballot include County Judge, County Commissioners for expiring terms, Sheriff, County Clerk, District Clerk, County Treasurer, County Attorney, Tax Assessor-Collector, and justices of the peace. Bushland ISD trustee positions may also appear if their election coincides with November rather than May. Texas limits mail-in voting to specific circumstances. To vote by mail, residents must be 65 or older, have a disability, be out of the county during the entire early voting period and on election day, or be confined in jail but otherwise eligible. Applications must be submitted to the Potter County Elections office and received (not postmarked) by the 11th day before election day. Completed mail-in ballots must arrive by 7:00 PM on election day - postmarks don't count - or be hand-delivered by that deadline. Detailed instructions for requesting and returning mail-in ballots are available through the Potter County elections office website and phone line.