- Justices of the Peace oversee Justice Courts, trial courts for civil cases up to $20,000, and misdemeanor cases punishable only by fine. They also perform marriages, issue warrants, conduct preliminary hearings, and serve as notaries.
- Texas has 835 Justice Courts, each presided over by a single judge. Every county has between one and eight precincts based on the county's population, each with its own Justice Court.
- Justices of the Peace are elected through partisan, precinct-wide election to four-year terms. 
- Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, have been a Texas resident for at least 12 consecutive months, a district resident for at least six consecutive months, and registered to vote in that precinct.
- The annual salary for Justices of the Peace ranges from $19,207 to $151,805 and is by the county's Commissioners Court.


Presides over civil cases and fine-only misdemeanor cases.

This sample ballot may not include all local party roles or measures on the official ballot. The listed candidates serve only within their party, and the propositions do not change the law.

2026 Texas Primary Election

Texas

Judicial Efficiency

Policing

Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

Justice of the Peace

The county’s chief finance officer responsible for safekeeping and investment of funds.

Ellis

Corruption

Financial Management

County Treasurer

- A County Court-At-Law judge handles misdemeanors, such as assault of a family member, property theft between $750 and $2,500, and using force against a law enforcement officer. They also handle civil cases where the amount in question does not exceed $200,000. 
- County Court-At-Law judges conduct arraignments, pre-trial hearings, and jury trials, as well as accept guilty pleas. 
- They are elected in a partisan, county-wide election to a four-year term. 
- Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 25 years old, have been a Texas and county resident for at least 24 consecutive months, a practicing lawyer and/or judge in Texas for at least four years, and registered to vote in that county.
- The annual salary for County Court-At-Law Judges ranges from $174,000 to $244,500, depending on years of service and how much they receive as a county supplement.

Handles civil and criminal cases from District Courts.

County Court-At-Law Judge

- County commissioners vote on the budget and appropriations, which fund essential county services like road maintenance.
- They create and enforce civil and criminal laws that align with state regulations, including land use and construction codes.
- Commissioners implement state and federal mandates while overseeing county agencies and public buildings.
- They also set tax rates for the county and its subdivisions.
- Each Texas county has four commissioners and a county judge, forming the local governing body known as the Commissioners Court.

Taxes

Economy

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

County Commissioner

- County Party Chairs appoint and oversee local election officials and workers, manage candidate filings and ballot placement for county offices, serve on the county election board, and help certify local election results.
- The County Party Chair is elected in a partisan primary election to a two-year term. Candidates must be accepted to vote in the selected party’s primary election or take an oath of affiliation with the party.
- County Party Chairs may receive payment, but only after the county party’s final cost report has been received on time and approved by the Secretary of State.

Ensures your party is represented in the primary elections. 

Election Oversight

Administration

Voting & Elections

County Party Chair

District Clerk

Lone Oak

Celeste

Wolfe City

Josephine

Greenville

Hawk Cove

Quinlan

West Tawakoni

Neylandville

Campbell

Caddo Mills

Union Valley

Royse City

Commerce

La Grulla

Escobares

San Diego

Roma

Rio Grande City

Benavides

Freer

Tomball

Spring Valley Village

Baytown

League City

Friendswood

Houston

Galena Park

Taylor Lake Village

Deer Park

Waller

Webster

Missouri City

Katy

Jersey Village

Morgan's Point

Bellaire

Jacinto City

Nassau Bay

South Houston

Pasadena

Humble

Bunker Hill Village

Piney Point Village

Hedwig Village

Hunters Creek Village

Hilshire Village

Seabrook

Shoreacres

Southside Place

West University Place

El Lago

Pearland

La Porte

Brookshire

Pine Island

Pattison

Thompsons

Hempstead

Kendleton

Ellinger

East Bernard

Brazos Country

Eagle Lake

Wallis

Industry

Fayetteville

Weimar

Bellville

San Felipe

Round Top

Schulenburg

Carmine

Prairie View

La Grange

Columbus

Sealy

Sugar Land

Flatonia

El Campo

Wharton

Ingleside on the Bay

Corpus Christi

Manor

Martindale

Austwell

Portland

Aransas Pass

Niederwald

Seadrift

Bastrop

San Marcos

Gregory

Palacios

Uhland

Lockhart

Webberville

Victoria

Bay City

Mustang Ridge

Full profiles for 15 counties, including Collin and Dallas

Full profiles for down to counties, including Bexar and Brazoria

2026 Texas candidates

Ellis Justice of the Peace, Justice Precinct 2, Republican Primary

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Ellis Justice of the Peace, Justice Precinct 3, Republican Primary

2 candidates

How this impacts you

Ellis County Treasurer, Republican Primary

1 candidate

Ellis Justice of the Peace, Justice Precinct 1, Republican Primary

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Ellis County Court-At-Law Judge, Republican Primary

1 candidate

Ellis County Commissioner, District 2, Republican Primary

4 candidates

Ellis County Party Chair, Republican Primary

2 candidates

Ellis Justice of the Peace, Justice Precinct 4, Republican Primary

2 candidates

How this impacts you

Ellis District Clerk, Republican Primary

2 candidates

Ellis County Court-At-Law Judge, Republican Primary

1 candidate