Riesel, Texas Public Records

Residents can register to vote online through the Texas Secretary of State at www.votetexas.gov or by submitting a paper application available at the County Elections Office, public libraries, and DPS offices. Registration must be completed 30 days before any election. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, Texas residents, at least 18 years old, and not convicted felons unless their rights have been restored. Acceptable photo identification includes a Texas driver's license, election identification certificate, U.S. Passport, military ID, or citizenship certificate with photo. Those without acceptable ID may sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and provide supporting documentation. The city holds municipal elections for mayor and city council positions on the uniform election date in May of odd-numbered years, as required for Type A General Law cities. The most recent mayoral and council elections took place in May 2023, with the next scheduled for May 2025. Candidate filings and local ballot measures are posted at Riesel City Hall and with the McLennan County Elections Office. Municipal election information specific to the community can be obtained by contacting city hall at 254-896-6667. 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 Mc Lennan County elections office. Early voting locations and hours are posted on the Mc Lennan County elections website prior to each election, typically offering multiple sites including the McLennan County Administration Building. Texas public information law makes certain election records publicly accessible. Voter registration lists, excluding certain personal information, can be purchased from Mc Lennan County. Campaign finance reports for local and county candidates are filed with the Mc Lennan County elections office or Texas Ethics Commission and are available for inspection. Candidate filing documents, ballot language, and precinct-level results are all public records. The county elections office publishes unofficial results on election night and official canvassed results after certification. In the November 2024 presidential election, McLennan County reported approximately 59% voter turnout with roughly 81,000 total votes cast out of approximately 137,000 registered voters. The county showed strong participation consistent with Texas statewide turnout patterns. Detailed precinct results, including those covering the area, are available through the Mc Lennan County elections website. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, voters in the community and across McLennan County will decide several important races. Texas will hold elections for all statewide executive offices including Governor, as Greg Abbott's term expires, along with Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and other executive positions. All 150 Texas House seats will be on the ballot, including the district representing the area, District 13 as of current maps. One U.S. Senate seat will be contested, John Cornyn's seat is up in 2026. Locally, the county will elect constitutional officers including Sheriff, County Clerk, District Clerk, Tax Assessor-Collector, County Treasurer, and County Commissioners for precincts with expiring terms. Municipal elections will not occur in 2026, as city elections take place in odd-numbered years. Texas offers limited vote-by-mail options. Absentee voting by mail is available only to voters who are 65 or older, disabled, confined in jail but eligible, or will be out of the county during the entire early voting period and election day. Applications for mail ballots, known as ABBM forms, can be downloaded from the Texas Secretary of State website or requested from the McLennan County Elections Administrator. Applications must be received, not just postmarked, by the 11th day before election day. Completed mail ballots must be received by 7 p.m. On election day or postmarked by election day and received the next business day.