The local political season kicks off next Wednesday, January 14, when candidates may officially begin filing for seats on the City Council and school and hospital boards. Aspirants for public office will have their choice of ten open seats which will be decided in May 2, 2026 elections. 

The deadline to file for a place on the General Election Ballot is Friday, February 13, 2026, at 5 pm.

Details about filing and eligibility for openings on each board are as follows:

Canadian City Council

The City Council is comprised of five at-large members and a mayor, each of whom are elected to staggered 2-year terms. This year, the terms of council members Gary Prater, Wendie Cook and Ashlee Talley will expire.

Eligibility: The qualified candidate for City Council must have resided continuously in the state of Texas for twelve months, and in the city for six months immediately prior to the filing deadline, and must be a registered voter at the time of election.

Filing: Candidates may file for a place on the ballot at City Hall, located at 6 Main Street. Business hours are from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. For more information, call 806.323.6473.

Hemphill County Hospital District

The hospital board is comprised of five at-large directors elected to staggered 2-year terms. This year, the terms of Sharon Carr and Karen Gullett will each expire.

Eligibility: The qualified candidate for hospital district board must have resided continuously in the state of Texas for twelve months, and in the hospital district for six months immediately preceding the filing deadline. There is no voter registration requirement for this office.

Filing: Candidates may file for a place on the ballot at the Hemphill County Hospital business office, located at 1020 S. 4th. Business hours are from 8 am-5 pm Monday through Friday. For more information, call 806.323.6422.

Canadian Independent School District

The school board is comprised of seven at-large members elected to staggered terms of three years each. This year, the terms of Rudy Godino and Heath Mitchell will expire.

Eligibility: The qualified candidate for school board trustee must have resided continuously in the state of Texas for twelve months, and in the school district for six months immediately prior to the filing deadline, and must be a registered voter at the time of election.

Filing: Candidates may file for a place on the ballot at the CISD Administration Building, located at 800 Hillside. Business hours are from 8 am-4:30 pm Monday through Friday. For more information, call 806.323.5393.

Hemphill County Underground Water Conservation District

The water board is comprised of five at-large members elected to serve staggered four-year terms. Unlike the other boards, the water district board holds elections only in even-numbered years. This year, the terms of Marty Carr, Elizabeth Light and Tom Isaacs will expire. 

Eligibility: To qualify for a seat on the water district board, the candidate must be a registered voter prior to filing.

Filing: Candidates may file for a place on the ballot at the HCUWCD office, which is located at 211 N. 2nd. Business hours are from 8:30 am–noon and from 1–5 pm, Monday through Friday. For more information, call 806.323.8350.

In addition to the above-mentioned eligibility requirements, a candidate for any of these elected offices must be a United States citizen, be 18 years of age or older when the term begins, be mentally competent and have no felony convictions.

Early voting for the Saturday, May 2, 2026 election begins on Monday, April 20, and ends on Tuesday, April 28. Those wishing to participate in the May election must become a registered voter no later than Thursday, April 2.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

To learn more about the filing requirements for candidates or voter registration, go online to the Texas Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.state.tx.us and click on the link to “Elections.”

TO ANNOUNCE YOUR CANDIDACY:

Both prospective candidates and retiring board or council members are welcome to announce either their intentions to run for or retire from office in The Canadian Record. To do so, either call 806.570.3033 or email editor@canadianrecord.com (receipt will be confirmed). Candidates for office are encouraged to provide a photograph, as well as a statement of candidacy.