Sam Norwood, Texas Public Records

While some information may be available through other county communication channels, residents should contact the office directly for the most current details. Texas residents in the community can register to vote online through the Texas Secretary of State website at texas.gov. Applications can be submitted online then printed and mailed, or obtained and submitted at various government offices including the Collingsworth County Clerk. Registration applications must be postmarked or submitted at least 30 days before an election for eligibility in that contest. Applicants must provide a Texas driver's license number or identification card number, or if neither exists, the last four digits of their social security number. Texas law requires acceptable forms of photo ID when voting in person, including Texas driver's license, Texas Election Identification Certificate, Texas personal identification card, U.S. Military ID, U.S. Citizenship certificate with photo, or U.S. Passport. As an unincorporated community, Sam Norwood does not hold municipal elections for mayor or city council. Instead, residents vote in Collingsworth County elections for county commissioners, county judge, sheriff, tax assessor-collector, county clerk, district clerk, constables, and justices of the peace. These county offices typically appear on the ballot during even-numbered general election years, with most positions running on four-year terms. To find their assigned polling place, voters can contact the Collingsworth County Elections office at (806) 447-2408 or check the Texas Secretary of State voter information website at texas.gov/election, where entering an address provides polling location, sample ballots, and election dates. Due to its rural character and small population, the county typically operates consolidated polling locations. Public election records in Texas include voter registration lists with certain personal information redacted, campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political committees, candidate filing information, precinct-level election results, and election summaries. These records are accessible through the Collingsworth County Elections office and the Texas Secretary of State. Individual voting history, whether a person voted, not how they voted, is public information. The Texas Ethics Commission maintains campaign finance data at ethics.state.tx.us. In the November 2024 presidential election, Collingsworth County recorded approximately 1,300 registered voters with turnout of approximately 60-65 percent, consistent with historically strong Republican voting patterns typical of rural Texas Panhandle counties. Specific official results are available through the County Elections office and the Texas Secretary of State. The November 3, 2026 general election will be significant for voters in the area. Texas will hold elections for all statewide executive offices including Governor (four-year term), Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and other executive positions. All 150 Texas House of Representatives seats will be on the ballot with two-year terms. Local voters will participate in the election for State House District 68, which includes Collingsworth County. Various county offices will appear on the 2026 ballot, potentially including county judge, county commissioners for certain precincts, sheriff if the term expires, and other officials depending on term schedules. U.S. Senate seats from Texas are up for election in 2026 as Senator John Cornyn's term expires that year, making this a major statewide race. Voters should confirm specific races with the County Elections office as the election approaches. Texas allows absentee voting by mail for specific categories: those 65 years or older, those who will be absent from the county during the election period and early voting period, those confined in jail but eligible to vote, or those who are sick or disabled. Applications for mail-in ballots must be received (not postmarked) by the Collingsworth County elections office no later than 11 days before Election Day. Applications can be submitted online through the Texas Secretary of State but must be printed, signed, and mailed. Early voting in person is available to all Texas voters without an excuse, typically beginning the 17th day before Election Day and ending the 4th day before Election Day.