Graford, Texas Public Records

The Elections Administrator handles voter registration, maintains voter rolls, conducts early voting, manages Election Day polling places, canvasses results, and provides information on candidates and ballot measures for all elections throughout Palo Pinto County, from municipal contests to federal races. Residents can register to vote online through the Texas Secretary of State website at www.texas.gov or by submitting a completed voter registration application to the Palo Pinto County Voter Registrar. Applications must be postmarked or submitted at least 30 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election. Texas requires voters to provide their Texas driver's license number or personal identification card number issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety, or if the applicant has not been issued these numbers, the last four digits of their Social Security number. Voters who have moved within Palo Pinto County should update their registration with the new address. Texas does not have party registration; voters may choose which primary to participate in during primary election season. Municipal elections for the Town of Graford typically occur in May for mayor and town council positions, following the uniform election date schedule established by Texas Election Code. Voters elect a mayor and council members to staggered terms. Information about local candidates, ballot measures, and municipal election dates is available from Graford City Hall at 107 South Elm Street (phone: 940-779-2221) and through the Palo Pinto County Elections office. Candidates for local office file applications with the city secretary's office. Residents can locate their assigned polling place by visiting the Texas Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at www.sos.texas.gov or by contacting the Palo Pinto County Elections office. Polling locations may vary between primary, general, and special elections. Early voting is available at designated locations throughout Palo Pinto County, typically including Palo Pinto County Courthouse and potentially other sites announced prior to each election. Texas election records that are publicly accessible include voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political committees, candidate filing documents and applications, precinct-level election results, and historical turnout data. These records can be accessed through the Palo Pinto County Elections office and the Texas Ethics Commission website for campaign finance data. In the November 2024 presidential election, Palo Pinto County reported approximately 60-65% voter turnout among registered voters, reflecting strong participation typical of presidential election years in rural Texas counties. Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 election, Graford and Palo Pinto County voters will decide several important races. Texas will hold elections for Governor (four-year term), Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and other statewide executive offices. One U.S. Senate seat may be on the ballot depending on the election cycle (Texas Senate seats are up in different cycles). All Texas House of Representatives seats (two-year terms) will be contested, including the district serving Palo Pinto County. County-level offices potentially on the 2026 ballot include County Judge, County Commissioners for specific precincts, County Sheriff, County Clerk, District Clerk, Tax Assessor-Collector, and other county officials depending on term schedules. Graford municipal offices may also be on the ballot if aligned with the November uniform election date, though municipal elections more commonly occur in May. Texas voters can request mail-in ballots (absentee voting) if they meet specific eligibility criteria: voters 65 years of age or older, voters with a disability or illness, voters confined in jail but eligible to vote, or voters who will be absent from the county during the entire early voting period and on Election Day. Applications for mail-in ballots must be submitted to the Palo Pinto County Early Voting Clerk and must be received (not postmarked) by the 11th day before Election Day. Mail-in ballot applications are available on the Texas Secretary of State website. Unlike many states, Texas does not offer no-excuse absentee voting; voters must meet one of the statutory qualifications.