Waelder, Texas Public Records

The voter registration deadline is 30 days before an election, and applicants must be U.S. Citizens, Texas residents, at least 17 years and 10 months old (to vote at 18), and not finally convicted of a felony or, if convicted, have completed their sentence including parole or probation. Photo identification is required when voting in person, including Texas driver's license, election identification certificate, concealed handgun license, U.S. Passport, military ID, or U.S. Citizenship certificate with photo. Municipal elections for city offices including mayor and city council are held in May of odd-numbered years These elections are conducted separately from county and state elections and focus on local governance issues. Residents can find their assigned polling place by using the Texas Secretary of State polling place locator at www.sos.texas.gov/elections/voter/polling-place-locator.shtml, or by contacting the Gonzales County Elections office. Early voting is available at designated locations beginning 17 days before election day and ending 4 days before election day. Texas allows mail-in voting only for specific categories: voters 65 and older, voters with disabilities, voters confined in jail but eligible to vote, and voters who will be out of the county during the election period including early voting. Applications for mail ballots must be submitted to the Gonzales County Early Voting Clerk and received no later than 11 days before election day. Public election records in Texas include voter registration rolls (available for inspection though personal information is protected), campaign finance reports filed through the Texas Ethics Commission (searchable at www.ethics.state.tx.us), candidate applications and filings available at the County Elections office, and precinct-level election results published after each election. Voters can access sample ballots and candidate information through the Gonzales County website approximately 30 days before each election.