Lockhart election deadline is August 17

By Anthony Collins

LPR Editor                    

Upcoming Elections Important Dates

Election Date:November 3, 2026 

Last Day to Register to Vote:Mon, Oct. 5, 2026

First Day of Early Voting:Mon, Oct. 19, 2026

Last Day to Receive FPCA Application for Ballot by Mail 

(Not Postmarked:Fri, Oct. 23, 2026

Last Day to Receive Application for Ballot by Mail 

(Not Postmarked):Fri, Oct. 23, 2026

Last Day of Early Voting: Fri, Oct. 30, 2026

Last Day to Receive Absentee Ballot: Tue, Nov. 3, 2026  

Candidate filing has been underway for the City of Lockhart’s Nov. 3 election, with races for Mayor, City Council Districts 3 and City Council District 4 appearing on the ballot.  

     The filing period, which remains open through Aug. 17, 2026,  has had no new candidates added in the last several days. 

   Among the first candidates to submit their applications were Jonathan Gonzales who is seeking the seat of District 3, Mary Beth Nickel vying for District 4, and throwing their hats in the ring for Mayor of Lockhart are Jeffry Michelson and Angie Gonzales-Sanchez. 

    The mayoral seat became open after current Mayor Lew White announced earlier this year that he would not seek reelection.

   With Michelson seeking the Mayor’s seat, the District 4 seat will be vacated. The District 3 race will also be up for grabs  as current Council member John Lairson recently confirmed with the Lockhart Post-Register that he is not seeking reelection. 

     With Michelson seeking the Mayor’s office, the election will also lead to the selection of a new Mayor Pro Tem. The City Council appoints one of its members to serve as Mayor Pro Tem and preside over meetings when the mayor is absent.

   Those elected will join continuing counci lmembers Juan Mendoza of District 1, Vanessa M. Gutierrez of District 2, and at-large representatives Brad Westmoreland and Taylor Burge. Lockhart’s mayor and council members serve staggered three-year terms. Additional candidates have until 5 p.m. Aug. 17 to file for a place on the ballot. The election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.

     Requirements to hold Public Office  in the City of Lockhart Charter are:

Sec. 3.02. – City council, qualifications and disqualifications.

 •Each member of the city council must:

• Be a United States citizen;

• Be a qualified voter of the State of Texas;

•Be 21 years of age or older on the first day of the term to be filled at the election or on the date of appointment;

•Be a resident of the city for at least 12 months as of the deadline for filing for the office, and use a city residence address for voter registration and driver’s license purposes;

•Be a resident of his or her city district for at least six months on the first day of the term to be filled at the election or on the date of appointment, for a council member representing a single-member district;

•Have not been convicted of a felony for which he or she has not been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disabilities.

•Have not been determined by a final judgment of a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be totally mentally incapacitated, or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote.

    If a mayor or council member fails to maintain the qualifications provided by this charter and state law, or is absent from three consecutive regularly scheduled city council meetings without a valid excuse, then the mayor’s or council member’s position shall be declared vacated by the city council at its next regularly scheduled meeting. The vacancy shall be filled as provided in Section 3.06 of this Charter.