Now that the first weekend of deer season and the Special Election for Constitutional Amendments are both behind us, we can put all our efforts into the opening of the Application Period for the March 2026 Republican Primary.
Starting this Saturday, November 8th, interested candidates can submit their applications for the local positions that will be on the ballot. Applications must be submitted to me, either in person or by mail. If submitting your application by mail, please remember, the date I receive it is the effective date of submission, NOT the Postmark Date. So if you plan to mail it in, do so long before the deadline date of December 8th to ensure I receive it in time, otherwise you will not be on the ballot. Please ensure your filing fee check is enclosed with your mailed application. As always, feel free to call me with questions at (361) 442-3232 or email me at jeffrey.f.carlson@gmail.com. My address for mailed applications is 996 CR 111 here in San Saba.
One interesting development recently came from the Secretary of State Legal Department. According to that department, our Tax Assessor-Collector position, approved by the voters in November 2024 as a stand-alone job, separate from the Sheriff's position, must be initially a two-year position through 2028, followed by regular four-year terms after that. The legal determination is two-fold: it keeps the Tax-Assessor-Collector matched up with the Sheriff in the election cycle and staggers the cycle with the County Clerk, ensuring at least one of these has some experience in administering elections each cycle, strengthening election integrity and processes. This ruling unfortunately places a burden on the victor in the race as they must go through the expense and procedure of running again in 2028. Regardless, I am sure we will have a great, new full-time Tax Assessor-Collector here in San Saba.