Gatesville, Texas Public Records

Texas residents can register to vote online through the Texas Secretary of State's website at www.votetexas.gov, or by submitting a paper voter registration application available from the Coryell County elections office, public libraries, and various state agencies. The registration deadline is 30 days before an election. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, residents of Coryell County, at least 18 years old by election day, and not convicted felons unless their sentence and supervision have been fully completed. Acceptable forms of voter identification under Texas law include a Texas driver's license, Texas election identification certificate, Texas personal identification card, Texas handgun license, U.S. Military ID card, U.S. Citizenship certificate with photo, or U.S. Passport. Municipal elections in Gatesville determine the mayor and city council positions. The city elects a mayor and six council members, typically on a staggered schedule, with municipal elections generally held in May of odd-numbered years to comply with Texas Election Code requirements for uniform election dates. The next municipal election is scheduled for May 2025, when several council positions will be on the ballot. Information about city candidates, local ballot measures, and sample ballots can be obtained from the City Secretary at Gatesville City Hall (254-865-8951) or the Coryell County elections office. Residents can find their assigned polling place by visiting the Texas Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at www.votetexas.gov or by contacting the Coryell County Elections Administrator. Early voting locations and hours are announced before each election and typically include the Coryell County Annex at 705 East Main Street. In Texas, voter registration lists are public records available for inspection and purchase for political purposes, though personal information such as social security numbers and telephone numbers are redacted. Campaign finance reports for state and county candidates are filed with the Texas Ethics Commission and searchable at www.ethics.state.tx.us, while municipal candidate reports are filed with the city and available for inspection. Election results by precinct are posted by the Coryell County elections office following canvassing and are public records. In the November 2024 presidential election, Coryell County recorded approximately 10,500-11,500 ballots cast, representing roughly 55-60% turnout of registered voters, consistent with Coryell County's historically conservative-leaning voting patterns. Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, voters in Gatesville and throughout Coryell County will decide several significant races. In 2026, Texas will hold elections for Governor (incumbent Greg Abbott's term expires), Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, other statewide executive offices, all 150 Texas House of Representatives seats, and approximately half of the 31 Texas Senate seats (including District 24, which includes Coryell County). U.S. Senate elections in Texas follow a staggered schedule, and 2026 will feature one U.S. Senate seat (Class II, currently held by John Cornyn, whose term expires January 2027). All 38 U.S. House seats in Texas will also be contested, with the city located in Congressional District 31. County-level races in 2026 may include Coryell County Judge, County Commissioners for precincts whose terms expire, County Clerk, District Clerk, County Treasurer, Tax Assessor-Collector, Sheriff, and justices of the peace. Partisan primary elections for the March 2026 primary will determine party nominees for these positions. Texas does not offer universal mail-in voting; absentee voting by mail is restricted to voters who are 65 or older, disabled, out of the county during the election period including early voting, or confined in jail but otherwise eligible. Applications for mail-in ballots must be received by the Coryell County elections office no later than 11 days before election day, and completed ballots must be received (not just postmarked) by 7:00 p.m. On election day. Early voting in person is available for all registered voters during a period beginning the 17th day before election day and ending four days before election day, with extended hours required during the final week.