Hext, Texas Public Records

Without a municipal government structure, the regulatory environment is simpler in some ways, though anyone planning commercial activity should verify requirements with county authorities to ensure full compliance.

Voter registration applications must be postmarked or submitted at least 30 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old, residents of Menard County, not finally convicted of a felony (or fully discharged of sentence), and not declared mentally incapacitated by a court. A Texas driver's license or identification card number is required for registration. As an unincorporated community, Hext has no municipal government and therefore no city elections for mayor or council. Residents vote in county, state, and federal elections. Menard County holds elections for County Judge, County Commissioners (four precincts), Sheriff, County Clerk, District Clerk, County Attorney, Tax Assessor-Collector, County Treasurer, and Constables. The county typically conducts elections at the Menard County Courthouse or other designated locations in Menard. Voters can find their specific polling place by visiting the Texas Secretary of State's polling place locator at www.votetexas.gov or by contacting the Menard County Clerk at (325) 396-4682. Early voting is available at locations and times published before each election, typically 17-4 days before Election Day. In the November 2024 presidential election, Menard County recorded approximately 1,150 ballots cast out of roughly 1,500 registered voters, representing turnout of approximately 77%, significantly above the state average and reflecting the high engagement typical of small rural Texas counties. For the November 3, 2026 general election, Hext and Menard County voters will decide several significant races. Texas will hold elections for Governor (Greg Abbott's term expires in 2026), all statewide executive offices including Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, Land Commissioner, and Agriculture Commissioner. All 150 Texas House seats will be on the ballot, with Menard County currently in House District 72. One U.S. Senate seat will be contested (John Cornyn's seat is up in 2026), along with Texas's U.S. House sefor the district covering Menard County (currently District 11). County-level races will include various county offices depending on term expirations, likely including County Commissioner positions and possibly Sheriff or other county officials. Texas election records that are public include voter registration lists (available with restrictions on use), campaign finance reports filed with the Texas Ethics Commission (searchable at www.ethics.state.tx.us), candidate filings and ballot information, and precinct-by-precinct election results. The Menard County Clerk publishes unofficial election results on election night, with official canvassed results available within days. Historical election results for Menard County can be accessed through the Menard County Clerk or the Texas Secretary of State's election results database. Texas has restrictive absentee/mail ballot laws compared to many states; mail ballots are available only to voters 65 or older, those who will be absent from the county during early voting and Election Day, those confined in jail but eligible to vote, or those with a disability or illness. Applications for mail ballots must be received by the Menard County Clerk no later than 11 days before Election Day, and completed ballots must be received (not just postmarked) by 7:00 PM on Election Day or hand-delivered by that time.