Mesquite, Texas Public Records

Texas residents can register to vote online through the Texas Secretary of State at www.texas.gov/living-in-texas/texas-voter-registration, or by submitting a completed application to the Dallas County Elections Department. Applications must be postmarked or hand-delivered at least 30 days before an election. Valid identification for voters includes a Texas driver's license, Texas personal identification card, Texas handgun license, U.S. Passport, military ID card, or citizenship certificate with photo. Those without acceptable photo ID may use supporting documentation and execute a reasonable impediment declaration. Municipal elections in the city operate under the Texas Election Code, with races for city council and mayor following a council-manager structure. The government consists of a mayor and six council members representing single-member districts. Municipal elections occur on uniform election dates in May of odd-numbered years. The most recent election took place in May 2023, meaning the next regular municipal election arrives in May 2025 for certain council seats, followed by another in May 2027. The Mayor serves a two-year term, while council members serve staggered two-year terms. Candidate filing information, campaign finance reports (required for candidates raising or spending over $500), and local ballot measures are available through the City Secretary's office at Mesquite City Hall, 757 North Galloway Avenue (phone: 972-288-7711). Information about local candidates and issues appears at www.cityofmesquite.com prior to elections. Residents can locate their assigned polling places using the Dallas County Elections Department polling place locator at www.dallascountyvotes.org/voter-lookup or by calling 469-627-8683. Texas offers early voting for all elections, typically 17 days before Election Day through the Friday before the election. The county operates numerous early voting locations throughout its jurisdiction, including sites in the city, with extended hours. Election Day voting occurs at precinct-specific polling places assigned by residential address. Public election records in Texas include voter registration lists (available to candidates and certain organizations under Texas Election Code Section 18.066), official election results by precinct published at www.dallascountyvotes.org, campaign finance reports searchable at www.ethics.state.tx.us for state candidates and locally for municipal candidates, and candidate filing documents available from election administrators. Dallas County reported approximately 63-65% voter turnout among registered voters in the November 2024 presidential election, with over 850,000 ballots cast countywide including significant participation from local precincts. The November 3, 2026 general election will be critical for voters across the area. The ballot will include the election for Governor of Texas (four-year term), as 2026 is a gubernatorial election year in Texas. All statewide executive offices will be on the ballot including Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, Land Commissioner, and Agriculture Commissioner. One of Texas's U.S. Senate seats will be contested in 2026 (U.S. Senator John Cornyn's seat is up for election). All Texas State House of Representatives seats (two-year terms) will be on the ballot; the community is represented in multiple state house districts. Half of the Texas State Senate seats may be contested (four-year staggered terms). Dallas County offices on the 2026 ballot will likely include County Judge, County Commissioners for certain precincts, County Clerk, District Clerk, District Attorney, Sheriff, Tax Assessor-Collector, County Treasurer, and numerous judicial positions including Criminal District Court judges, Civil District Court judges, Family District Court judges, County Court at Law judges, and Justice of the Peace positions. Mesquite ISD board trustee positions may also appear on the ballot if those elections are consolidated with the November date. Texas requires voters requesting mail-in ballots to qualify under specific categories: voters 65 years or older, voters with disabilities or illnesses preventing in-person voting, voters confined in jail but eligible to vote, or voters who will be outside their county of residence during the entire early voting period and on Election Day. Application for ballot by mail must be submitted to the Dallas County Elections Department and received (not postmarked) by the 11th day before Election Day. Applications are available at www.dallascountyvotes.org or by calling 469-627-8683. Texas does not offer no-excuse mail voting; voters not meeting statutory qualifications must vote in person during early voting or on Election Day.