2026 Board of Directors Election Information

Candidate Application Questions

Candidate Filing Fee Questions

Candidate Petition Questions

Candidate Eligibility Questions

Questions the Secretary of State’s Office Cannot Answer

What do the Board of Director’s govern at the appraisal district?

• An appraisal district board of directors establish the appraisal district office, hire/fire a Chief Appraiser, have a board meeting at least once each calendar quarter and adopt the CAD’s annual operating budget before Sept. 15th after fulfilling notice requirements and holding a public hearing.

Is the BOD responsible for setting values on appraisals or tax rates?

• No. The BOD has no authority to set values or appraisal methods. The Chief Appraiser performs the appraisal district’s legal duties, hires the staff, makes the appraisals, and operates the appraisal office.

When is the election?

• Tuesday, November 3, 2026
  https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/important-election-dates.shtml#2026

What is the deadline to file an application for a place on the ballot?

• Applications open Saturday, July 18, 2026 and will close on Monday, August 17, 2026 at 5:00pm. You can find a copy of the application here
  https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/pol-sub/2-21f.pdf

What is the cost to run for election?

The filing fee is $400, or the candidate may submit a petition in lieu of the filing fee.

Under Texas Tax Code §6.032(d), the minimum number of signatures required on a petition in lieu of the filing fee is the lesser of:

• 500 signatures; or
• two percent of the total vote received in Galveston County by all candidates for governor in the most recent gubernatorial general election.

If that number is fewer than 50, the number required is the lesser of 50 or 20 percent of that total vote. The petition must also satisfy the applicable requirements of Election Code §141.062.

• What are the 3 positions up for election?

To elect three directors by a majority vote in the same election, candidates for the appraisal district board of directors must be elected at-large by place. Specifically, the board of directors for the appraisal district must be elected to either the at-large by place 1, at-large by place 2, or at-large by place 3 positions.

Further, candidates must indicate on their candidate application the at-large position for which they are running.

How long does the elected BOD member serve on the board of directors?

• The three directors elected at the November 3, 2026 general election will take office on January 1, 2027. Following the election, the three elected directors will draw lots to determine the initial staggered terms. One director will serve a two-year term ending December 31, 2028, and two directors will serve four-year terms ending December 31, 2030. Thereafter, the elected director positions are filled for staggered four-year terms as provided by law.

How will it be determined which elected BOD member will serve 2 years and which will serve 4 years in the November 2026 election?

• After the November 2026 election, the three elected directors will draw lots at an open meeting to determine which director will serve the initial two-year term and which two directors will serve the initial four-year terms.

Where do I submit my application for a place on the ballot?

Interested Candidates should complete the application and submit to Galveston County Clerk/Elections Division.

Galveston County Clerk – Elections Division
Records & Elections Center
10000 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway, Suite 1152
Texas City, Texas 77591
409-770-5108

Before filing the application, the candidate must first sign the Acknowledgment of Duties of Member of Appraisal District Board of Directors and submit that acknowledgment to the GCAD Chief Appraiser.

What method will be used in the election?

Majority Vote Requirement

• Section 6.0301 of the Tax Code provides that three directors of an appraisal district must be elected by majority vote at the general election for state and county officers by the voters of the county in which the district is established. (A majority vote means that the winning candidate must receive more than fifty percent of the votes. If no candidate receives more than fifty percent of the vote in an election requiring a majority, then a runoff election is required between the top two vote getters, pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Election Code.)

What are the requirements to run for the Board of Directors?

• General eligibility required for public office as defined by sec. 141.001 of the Texas Election Code, except for section 141.001(a)(5) of the Election Code.
• The individual must be resident of the Galveston County and must have resided in county for at least two years immediately preceding the date the individual takes office (Section 6.0301, Tax Code). This is a longer residency requirement than the general rule outlined in Section 141.001 of the Election Code. Given the more specific residence requirement provided under the Tax Code, candidates for the elected board of director offices will need to have resided in the county longer than the six months required under Section 141.001 of the Election Code as of the filing deadline. See Brown v. Patterson, 609 S.W.2d 287 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1980).
• An individual who is otherwise eligible to serve on the board is not ineligible because of membership on the governing body of a taxing unit. An employee of a taxing unit that participates in the district is not eligible to serve on the board unless the individual is also a member of the governing body or an elected official of a taxing unit that participates in the district. (Section 6.0301, Tax Code).
• An individual is not eligible to be a candidate for, to be appointed to, or to serve on the board of directors of an appraisal district if the individual or a business entity in which the individual has a substantial interest is a party to a contract with: 1) the appraisal district; or 2) a taxing unit that participates in the appraisal district, if the contract relates to the performance of an activity governed by Title 1 of the Tax Code. (Section 6.036(a), Tax Code, effective July 1, 2024.)
• Must not be related to the Chief Appraiser or a member of the Board of Directors within the second degree of consanguinity (blood) or affinity (marriage) (Section 6.035, Tax Code).
• Must not have appraised or represented property for compensation in Galveston County for the previous three years (Section 6.035, Tax Code).
• A person is ineligible if they own property on which taxes are delinquent to a taxing unit for more than 60 days after the date the person knew (or should have known) of the delinquency, unless
  a) the delinquent taxes (with penalties/interest) are being paid under an installment agreement under § 33.02 of the Tax Code; or
  b) a suit to collect is deferred or abated under § 33.06 or § 33.065 (Section 6.035).
• Must not have previously served as a member of the board of directors for all or part of five terms (Section 6.035).
• Must not be an employee of the Galveston Central Appraisal District, at any time, within the last three years (Section 6.035).

Is there compensation or salary for the elected position?

• This is a non-paid, elected position. Only reasonable travel and training expenses will be reimbursed to the BOD member.

Where can I look for more information about being a candiate and running for office?

• Candidates Guide for Local Political Subdivisions

For other questions or concerns please email the district at gcad@galvestoncad.org for prompt assistance.