Elections

Welcome to the Elections page for the City of Tyler. Here you can find links to information for potential candidates and City elections in general. The City Clerk serves as the election official for the City of Tyler municipal elections. The City of Tyler partners with Smith County to administer elections and tabulate ballots, and conducts them in accordance with the Texas Election Code.

For information about County, State, or Federal elections, and to see a complete list of early voting times and locations, please visit the Smith County Election website.

2026 General Election

Tyler City Council elections are held in May of each year. The election for Mayor and Council Districts 2, 4, and 6 is held on even-numbered years. The election for Council Districts 1, 3, and 5 is held on odd-numbered years. All candidates for Tyler City Council elections must register with the City Clerk's Office and meet the following requirements, as set forth in the City Charter:

Qualifications of Council candidates and Councilmembers

Each Council candidate and Councilmember shall, in addition to the other qualifications prescribed by law at the time of election

  • Be a qualified voter in the City;
  • Be a resident of the district from which election is sought for at least six months prior to the election;
  • Continue to reside in that district while representing it.

The City Clerk's Office is located on the second floor of Tyler City Hall, 212 N. Bonner Ave. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Mayor and Council members serve two-year terms, with a term limit of three consecutive terms. They are not paid for their service to the citizens of Tyler.

Tyler residents must be registered voters to participate in the City Council election. Voter registration is handled through the Smith County Voter Registration Office. For more information about who may vote in Texas please view A Guide to Voter Registration published by the Office of the Secretary of State or call the Smith County Voter Registration Office at (903) 590-4777.

2026 May 2 Election Calendar

Important dates for the May 2 election include the following:

  • Wednesday, January 14, 2026
    • First day to file an application for a place on the ballot or a declaration of write-in candidacy for general elections occurring May 2, 2026.
  • Friday, February 13, 2026
    • Last Day to file for a place on the ballot as regular candidate.
  • Tuesday, February 17, 2026
    • Last Day to File for a place on the ballot as a write-in candidate for the general election.
  • Thursday, April 2, 2026
    • Last Day to Register to Vote for the May 2, 2026 Uniform Election date.
  • Monday, April 20, 2026
    • Last Day to Apply for a Ballot by Mail (received, not postmarked)
  • Monday-Friday, April 20- April 24 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
  • Saturday, April 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.;
  • Monday-Tuesday, April 27-April 28, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    •  Early Voting
  • Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    • Election Day

May 2, 2026 Voting Location Map (Coming Soon)

Posting of HB 305(PDF, 2MB)

Notice of Deadline to File an Application for Place on the Ballot(PDF, 56KB)

Residents can see a complete list of early voting times and locations by visiting the Smith County Elections webpage.

 

2026 Candidate Information

Below are the candidates running in the May 2, 2026, General Election for Mayor at Large and City Councilmember for Districts 2, 4, and 6.

Mayor, At Large

John Nix

James Wynne

Stuart Hene

Shirley J. McKellar

District 2

Petra Hawkins

District 4

Clint Childs

District 6

Carleen Dark-Bays

 

Campaign Finance Reports

Under Texas Election Law, candidates, officeholders and specific-purpose committees are required to file their campaign finance reports with the City Clerk's Office.

Mayor & City Council (Current & Potential Candidates)

Mayor

District 1

District 2

District 3

District 4

District 5

District 6

 

Election Forms and Links

Find all the election forms that may be required in order to run for City Council in the City of Tyler. For qualification requirements, please see the 2024 Election Information Page. Also included below are other helpful links with information for potential candidates in Texas.

Election Forms

Run-off Election-June 15, 2024 (New Date TBD) 

Helpful Links

2026 November 3 Special Call Election Calendar

Important dates for the November 3 Election include the following:

  • Saturday, July 18, 2026
    • First day to file an application for a place on the ballot or a declaration of write-in candidacy for the special election occurring November 3, 2026. 
  • Monday, August 17, 2026
    • Last day to file for a place on the ballot as a regular candidate.
  • Friday, August 21, 2026
    • Last day to file for a place on the ballot as a write-in candidate for the special election. 
  • Monday, October 9, 2026
    • Last day to register to vote for the November 3, 2026, Special Election.
  • Friday, October 23, 2026
    • Last day to apply for a Ballot by Mail (received, not postmarked)
  • Early Voting by Personal Appearance
  • Monday-Friday, October 19 - 23rd from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
  • Saturday, October 24th from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.;
  • Sunday, October 25th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.;
  • Monday-Friday, October 26 - 30th from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
  • Election Day 
    • Tuesday November 3, 2026, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
    • Voting Location Map (coming soon)

Notice-of-Deadline-to-file-Application-2.pdf(PDF, 40KB)

Residents can see a complete list of early voting times and locations by visiting the Elections | Smith County, TX 

2026 November Special Call Candidate Information

Below are the candidates running in the November 3, 2026, Special Election for City Councilmember for District 1 

District 1

 

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