Texas Counties Deliver

Information for Candidates and Office Holders

 Caldwell County Officials

Each Texas county has a team of locally elected and/or appointed officials who work full time to provide hands-on essential services that make government work for the people of Texas. County government led by officials who live and work in the communities they serve is the most responsive and transparent level of government in Texas. Local officials understand their county and its particular needs.

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      • Represents the state in prosecuting misdemeanor criminal cases.
      • Works with law enforcement officers in the investigation of criminal cases.
      • Provides legal advice to the Commissioners Court and to other elected officials.
      • Brings civil enforcement actions on behalf of the state or county.
      • Represents victims of family violence in protective order proceedings.
      • Represents Texas Department of Family and Protective Services in child abuse and neglect cases.
      • Represents the state in applications and petitions for mental health commitments.

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      • Represents the state in prosecuting felony criminal cases.
      • Works with law enforcement officers in the investigation of criminal cases.
      • Presents cases to the grand jury.
      • Represents victims of violence in protective orders and represents the state in removing children from abusive households.

      Some counties just have either a Criminal District Attorney or a combination County and District Attorney. In these counties, one office performs the functions of both the County Attorney and the District Attorney.

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      • Appointed by the district judge(s).
      • Prepares and administers accounting records for all county funds.
      • Audits the records and accounts of the various county departments.
      • Verifies the validity and legality of all county disbursements.
      • Forecasts financial data for budgetary formulation purposes.
      • Serves as budget officer in counties with more than 225,000 residents. (Counties with more than 125,000 residents may opt for an appointed budget officer.)

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      • Hears traffic and other Class C misdemeanor cases punishable by fine only.
      • Hears civil cases with up to $10,000 in controversy.
      • Hears landlord and tenant disputes.
      • Hears truancy cases.
      • Performs magistrate duties.
      • Conducts inquests.

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      • Serves as clerk and custodian of records for the Commissioners Court, Constitutional County Court and Statutory County Courts.
      • Acts as a recorder and custodian of important public records, including all bonds, deeds, birth and death certificates, assumed names and livestock brands, ensuring that records are maintained in a secure, archival manner.
      • Issues marriage licenses.
      • Services as chief elections officer in most counties. 

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      • Serves as clerk and custodian of all records for the District Courts.
      • Indexes and secures all court records, collects filing fees, and handles funds held in litigation and money awarded to minors.
      • Coordinates the jury panel section process.
      • May process passport applications.
      • Manages court registry funds. 

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      • Receives and deposits all county revenues.
      • Acts as chief liaison between the county and depository banks.
      • Prepares the payroll.
      • Disburses funds upon the order of the Commissioners Court.
      • Records receipts and expenditures and reconciles bank statements.
      • May be designated as the county’s investment officer and required to submit regular reports on county finance to the members of the Commissioners Court.
      • May also act as the county’s human resources officer, employee benefits coordinator, risk manager and insurance coordinator.
      • May have some audit responsibilities in counties with no Auditor. 

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    • The Commissioners Court conducts the general business of the county and consists of the County Judge and four Commissioners. The Court:

      • Adopts the county’s budget and tax rate.
      • Approves all budgeted purchases of the county.
      • Fills vacancies in elective and appointive offices.
      • Sets all salaries and benefits.
      • Has exclusive authority to authorize contracts.
      • Provides and maintains all county buildings and facilities. 

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      • Presiding officer of the Commissioners Court.
      • Represents the county in many administrative functions. 
      • Serves as budget officer in counties with fewer than 225,000 residents.
      • Most have broad judicial duties, such as presiding over misdemeanor criminal and small civil cases, probate matters and appeals from the Justice of the Peace Court.
      • Serves as head of emergency management. 

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      • As a member of the Commissioners Court, exercises broad policy-making authority.
      • Represents one of four precincts within the county.
      • Typically responsible for building and maintaining county roads and bridges within their precinct. 

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      • Calculates property tax rates for the county.
      • May collect taxes for cities, schools and other local taxing entities.
      • Processes motor vehicle title transfers.
      • Issues motor vehicle registration and licenses.
      • May process boat titles and registrations.
      • Registers voters and may conduct elections.
      • Collects various other fees for the state and county. 

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      • Serves as a licensed peace officer and is responsible for enforcing the criminal laws of the state.
      • Manages and operates the county jail.
      • Provides security for the courts.
      • Serves warrants and civil papers.
      • Regulates bail bondsmen in counties with no bail bond board.
      • May serve as the Tax Assessor-Collector in counties with fewer than 8,000 residents.

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      • Serves as a licensed peace officer and performs various law enforcement functions, including issuing traffic citations.
      • Serves warrants and civil papers such as subpoenas and temporary restraining orders.
      • Serves as bailiff for Justice of the Peace Court.

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Interested in Running for Public Office?

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Requirements for local offices (municipalities, school districts, other districts) in Texas vary according to the political subdivision. Therefore, you must contact the political subdivision where you are interested in running for office for qualification requirements, filing periods and other relevant information. At a minimum, you will be required to file an application for place on the ballot with your political subdivision.  For additional information visit the Texas Secretary of State’s Local Election Candidate Information Page.

The following links are helpful resources for candidates as well as for office holders.

Candidates and/or office holders are required to file Campaign Finance Reports on a certain filing schedule. 

Filings due to the Caldwell County Elections Department should be filed using our online filing system. 

Important Note:

  • You will not be able to file online reports on the EasyVote portal until your registration application is approved.
  • Your registration will not be approved until we receive your completed Caldwell County ECF Security Form (PDF).

Please contact the Texas Ethics Commission to determine who the filling authority is for the office you hold or intent to run.

 

Primary Early Voting:
February 17, 2026 – February 27, 2026

Primary Election Day:
March 3, 2026

Primary Runoff Early Voting:
May 18, 2026 – May 22, 2026

Primary Runoff Election Day:
May 26, 2026

General Election Early Voting:
October 19, 2026 - October 30, 2026

General Election Day:
November 3, 2026

Please note that information on this page is subject to change as a result of legislation or court order.

For further information please contact your local political party.

Local Political Parties

HOW DO I GET A VOTER LIST?

You need to submit a Public Information Request form and be sure to list the format you would like to receive it.
(Example: Voter list of Commissioner Pct. 1 in CSV format.)