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.Current federal, state, and local election schedules, ballot contests, candidate filings, and certified results for Mesquite voters are published by the Texas Secretary of State Elections Division (https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/). Half of the Texas State Senate seats may be contested (four-year staggered terms). 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.