Gordon, Texas Public Records

Texas residents can begin voter registration online by requesting an application through the Texas Secretary of State website at https://www.votetexas.gov, though the application must be printed, signed, and mailed to the Palo Pinto County Elections office. Registration applications are also available at Texas Department of Public Safety driver license offices, libraries, and county offices throughout the area. The registration deadline is 30 days before any election. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old by election day, county residents, and not finally convicted of a felony or, if convicted, must have fully discharged their sentence including probation or parole. Valid photo identification is required to vote in Texas, including a Texas driver license, election identification certificate, U.S. Passport, military ID, or other approved forms. As an unincorporated community, Gordon does not hold municipal elections for mayor or city council. Residents participate in Palo Pinto County elections for county commissioners, sheriff, county judge, district attorney, county clerk, tax assessor-collector, and other county offices, plus state and federal elections. County offices are generally contested in even-numbered years, with races appearing in primary or general elections. Texas holds primary elections in March and general elections in November of even-numbered years, with occasional special elections. Local residents can find their assigned polling place using the Texas Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at https://teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.do, which requires entering name and date of birth, or by contacting the Palo Pinto County elections office. Polling locations may change between elections, so voters should verify their assignment before each election. Early voting is available at designated locations countywide, typically beginning 17 days before election day and ending four days before. Publicly accessible election records in Texas include voter registration lists available for purchase under certain restrictions for political purposes, campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political committees through the Texas Ethics Commission, candidate applications and filings, precinct-level election results, and ballot measure information. The county elections office provides unofficial election results on election night, with official canvassed results certified days later. In the November 2024 presidential election, Palo Pinto County had voter turnout typical of rural Texas counties, with approximately 60-65% of registered voters participating. Like most rural North Texas counties, the area favored Republican candidates by substantial margins in statewide races. The November 3, 2026 general election will be particularly significant for Gordon and Palo Pinto County voters. Texas will hold elections for Governor, with Greg Abbott's current term expiring in 2027, all statewide executive offices including Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, and others, one U.S. Senate seat potentially, all U.S. House seats including Texas Congressional District 12 which may include the county depending on redistricting, all 31 Texas Senate seats, all 150 Texas House seats including the district representing this community, and county offices including County Judge, Sheriff, County Clerk, Tax Assessor-Collector, and county commissioners for precincts with expiring terms. Texas allows absentee voting by mail only for voters 65 or older, those who will be out of the county during the entire early voting period and election day, those confined in jail but eligible to vote, or those with a disability or illness preventing in-person voting. Applications for mail ballots must be received, not postmarked, by the Palo Pinto County elections office no later than 11 days before election day. Applications can be downloaded from the Texas Secretary of State website or requested from the Palo Pinto County elections office. Returned ballots must be received by 7:00 PM on election day, not merely postmarked by that time.