DECISION 2026
With a week left before the election filing deadline of Feb. 13 for the May 2 ballot, more candidates have put their names in the hat to run for city or school board offices.
The last day to register to vote is April 2; early voting runs April 20-28; and polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day.
Here is a recap of election activity as of Friday:
COUPLAND ISD
While the Coupland Independent School District holds its school board elections in November, the dais is still short one trustee.
Royce Hatch recently stepped down from the board.
Marcia Buffington replaced former trustee Andrew Gonzalez, who resigned due to a conflict of interest after a change in Texas Association of School Boards regulations this past September.
For more, call 512-8562422 or email cisdbotapplications@ couplandisd. org.
GRANGER
There are three atlarge positions on the Granger City Council. The incumbents are Lori Gick, Ron Marx and Mark Matoska.
Those interested in becoming an alderman or alderwoman can call 512-859-2871 or grab an application at City Hall, 214 E. Davilla St., Granger.
Council members are elected for two years.
GRANGER ISD
The Granger Independent School District seats held by board President Daryl Stefek and trustees Jason Huf and Josh Richter are on the ballot.
For more information about applying for the spots, visit grangerisd. net/documents/board-oftrustees/ election-information/ 21474425.
Applications can be turned in at the Administration Office, 300 N. Colorado St., Granger, during office hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
HUTTO
Two places are up for grabs on the Hutto City Council.
Place 1 is held by interim Councilman Charles Warner and Peter Gordon is the Place 4 council member.
Warner was appointed Jan. 8 to fill the few months remaining on the term of Councilman Brian Thompson, who stepped down in December. Warner said he is not planning to run May 2.
Gordon has hit term limits and cannot run again.
Interested candidates can call 512-759-4015 or visit www.huttotx. gov/800/May-2-2026City-Council-Election for more information.
Terms are for three years.
HUTTO ISD
The Hutto Independent School District has two at-large school board seats on the ballot May 2. The spots are held by Vice President Felix Chavez and trustee Shara Turner.
Chavez will seek reelection, but Turner has not publicly indicated her plans.
April Adams, Lynn Green and Sam Martinez are running for trustee spots as well.
Trustees serve staggered three-year terms.
Interested candidates can pick up printed packets and instructional documents from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Central Administration building, 200 College St. in Hutto.
TAYLOR
In a change over past years, the mayor’s seat will be decided by the electorate and not by the sitting City Council.
An amendment to the city charter in May 2024 approved by voters means the former at-large seat is transitioning to the mayoral position.
Local businessman and Taylor native Jim Buzan has announced his candidacy for the city’s top spot after Dwayne Ariola decided not to seek reelection.
Council terms are three years.
Candidates interested in running for mayor can contact City Clerk Lucy Aldrich at 512-352-3675 or email [email protected].
TAYLOR ISD
The Taylor Independent School District has two positions up for grabs.
The Place 1 slot held by board Vice President Shorty Mitchell and the at-large seat occupied by Jim Buzan are open. Mitchell will seek reelection, while Rachael Westerman will vie for Buzan’s at-large spot.
Buzan, meanwhile, officially kicked off a campaign Jan. 14 to run for Taylor mayor.
School board information can be found at taylorisd.org/trusteeelections.
For more, contact the Administration Office at 512-365-1391.
THRALL ISD
Thrall Independent School District board President Bryan Holubec has officially announced he is running again.
Wesley Grisham’s seat is also on the ballot this spring, but he decided not to run for reelection.
Joshua Seagroves and Jason Seaton each filed to run for trustee positions.
Applications for a school-board slot may be filed at or mailed to the Administration Office, 107 S. Bounds St., Thrall, TX 76578 or emailed to whitney.moses@thrallisd. org.
More information is at thrallisd.org/page/ board-of-trustees-electioninformation.
Trustees serve staggered three-year terms.
Keep reading the Taylor Press and visit www.taylorpress. net/ as the election countdown continues.
