Santa Fe, Texas Public Records

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Texas residents can register to vote online through the Texas Secretary of State website at www.texas.gov/living-in-texas/texas-voter-registration, or submit a paper application available from libraries, post offices, or Galveston County Clerk. Applications must be postmarked at least 30 days before an election. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship, Texas residency, being at least 17 years and 10 months old to register (18 to vote), and not being finally convicted of a felony or, if convicted, having completed the full sentence including parole or probation. The state requires voter identification at polling places, accepting seven forms of photo ID or, for voters with a reasonable impediment to obtaining photo ID, supporting documentation plus a signed declaration. As an incorporated city, Santa Fe holds municipal elections for mayor and city council positions, typically scheduled for uniform election dates in May of odd-numbered years as prescribed by Texas Election Code. The next city elections are scheduled for May 2025, with candidate filing periods opening in January 2025. Local residents can find information about candidates, ballot measures, and election results through the City Secretary's office at City Hall (409-925-3535) and the Galveston County elections website. To locate assigned polling places, voters should visit the Galveston County Elections website or use the Texas Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at www.votetexas.gov by entering their residential address. Texas public information law makes certain election records publicly accessible. These include voter registration lists, available to campaigns and political organizations under strict use restrictions, campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political committees and searchable at www.ethics.state.tx.us, candidate applications and filings, and precinct-by-precinct election results published after each election. In the November 2024 presidential election, Galveston County reported approximately 58-62% voter turnout among registered voters, with detailed precinct results showing participation patterns across the area including Santa Fe. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, voters here and throughout Galveston County will decide several major races. The ballot will include the Texas gubernatorial election (Governor Greg Abbott's term expires in 2026), all Texas House of Representatives seats (the city falls within a specific state house district), and numerous Galveston County offices including County Judge, County Commissioners, County Clerk, District Clerk, Sheriff, Tax Assessor-Collector, County Attorney, and District Attorney. Judicial positions for district and county courts will also appear on the ballot. No U.S. Senate seat from Texas is scheduled for election in 2026, as both senators' terms expire in other years. Residents may also see school board positions, special district directors, and any local bond propositions or charter amendments on the 2026 ballot. Texas allows limited absentee voting by mail, restricted to voters who are 65 or older, disabled, confined in jail but eligible to vote, or will be out of the county during the entire early voting period and on election day. Applications for mail ballots must be submitted to the Galveston County Early Voting Clerk and received (not postmarked) by the 11th day before election day. All other voters must cast ballots in person during early voting or on election day. Early voting periods extend 17 days before election day for general elections, with extended hours and multiple locations throughout Galveston County providing convenient options for voters.