Harwood, Texas Public Records

Each department enforces state laws and local ordinances, conducts criminal investigations, and responds to calls for service within its territory. For residents in this unincorporated community, the Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement contact.

Bond and bail procedures adhere to Texas state law, allowing detainees to be released once bail set by the court has been posted. The jail maintains an online inmate search tool for locating individuals recently arrested anywhere in Gonzales County.

The Texas Department of Public Safety does not directly provide services to Gonzales residents but works along with local agencies to address criminal activities. Background checks in Texas typically include a review of an individual's criminal history, including any convictions or pending charges.

Texas residents can register to vote online at www.votetexas.gov or by submitting a paper application obtained from the Gonzales County Clerk, local library branches, or downloaded from the state website. Registration applications must be postmarked or submitted at least 30 days before any election. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, Texas residents, at least 18 years old by election day, and not finally convicted of a felony unless they've fully completed all sentences including parole and supervision. Registration requires either a Texas driver's license or ID card number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. As an unincorporated community, Harwood has no municipal government and therefore no city elections for mayor or council positions. Instead, residents vote in Gonzales County elections for county commissioners, sheriff, county clerk, district attorney, county judge, and other county offices, along with state and federal races. The Commissioners Court divides the county into four single-member precincts, with Harwood voters participating in Precinct 1. Residents can locate their assigned polling place using the Texas Secretary of State's polling place locator at www.votetexas.gov or by contacting the County Elections office. Polling locations are determined by voter registration address and precinct boundaries. Early voting for countywide elections typically takes place at the Gonzales County Courthouse and potentially other designated sites, with extended hours throughout the early voting period. Texas election law treats voter registration lists as public records available for purchase for political purposes. Campaign finance reports for candidates and political committees are filed with the Texas Ethics Commission and accessible at www.ethics.state.tx.us. The County Clerk maintains candidate applications and ballot measure filings as public records. After canvassing and certification, the Clerk publishes precinct-level election results, with detailed breakdowns available at the courthouse and often posted online. Individual voter history showing which elections a person voted in is public record, though actual ballot choices remain secret. In the November 2024 presidential election, Gonzales County recorded approximately 7,200 voters out of roughly 11,500 registered, representing about 62% turnout. The county voted heavily Republican, consistent with rural South Texas patterns, though Harwood historically has shown more Democratic support than other rural parts of the state. The November 3, 2026 general election will bring critical races for Harwood and county voters. Texans will elect a Governor, with incumbent Greg Abbott's term expiring in 2027, along with Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and other statewide executive offices. All 150 Texas House seats appear on the ballot; Harwood falls within House District 30. U.S. Senator John Cornyn's seat is up for election in 2026. County voters will also decide races for County Judge, the chief executive officer of county government, County Commissioner for their precinct if that term expires, Sheriff, County Clerk, District Clerk, County Treasurer, Tax Assessor-Collector, and various constables and justices of the peace. County or special district governing bodies may also place local ballot measures or bond propositions before voters. Texas offers limited mail-in voting, restricting absentee ballots to voters who are 65 or older, disabled, out of the county during the entire early voting period and election day, or confined in jail but eligible to vote. Applications for mail ballots must be received by the Gonzales County Clerk by close of business on the 11th day before election day, postmark date doesn't count. Applications are available at www.votetexas.gov or from the Gonzales County Clerk. Completed mail ballots must be postmarked by election day and received by the following day, or hand-delivered to the Gonzales County Clerk by 7:00 PM on election day. Texas doesn't offer no-excuse absentee voting; voters not meeting the specific criteria must vote in person during early voting or on election day.