Elected Officials

Austin has 10 City Council districts, each represented by one Council member. Together with the mayor, Council members adopt the city budget, set the property tax rate, pass local laws, and make decisions about city services and policies. Council members serve four-year terms and may serve no more than two consecutive terms.

The mayor represents the city as a whole and serves as a member of the Austin City Council. The mayor leads and votes at City Council meetings and works with Council members on the city budget, local laws, services, and policies. The mayor serves a four-year term and may serve no more than two consecutive terms.

School Board Trustees are elected to represent residents of the school district. Together, the Board hires and evaluates the superintendent, adopts the budget, oversees district spending, sets the property tax rate, and sets policies for the district. The Board may also call bond or tax rate elections.

The Travis County Commissioners Court consists of the County Judge and four County Commissioners. Together, they adopt the county budget and property tax rate, approve county spending and contracts, set employee pay and benefits, maintain county buildings and facilities, and oversee county operations and services.

Travis County Constables are elected law enforcement officers who serve specific precincts. They serve warrants and other court papers, carry out court orders, enforce state and local laws, and provide law enforcement services for Justice of the Peace courts.

Justices of the Peace hear civil and criminal cases involving matters such as small claims, debt, evictions, traffic citations, vehicle towing, and property disputes. They also conduct bond hearings and perform other duties required by law.

TCAD Board members oversee the appraisal district, hire the Chief Appraiser, approve the district budget, and appoint members of the Appraisal Review Board. The Appraisal Review Board hears property owners’ protests of appraised values. The TCAD Board does not appraise individual properties or set property tax rates.

The Sheriff is the county’s chief elected law enforcement officer. The Sheriff manages the county jail and Sheriff’s Office, enforces criminal laws, provides security for county courts, and serves warrants and court papers.

The Tax Assessor-Collector collects property taxes and other government fees, processes vehicle and boat titles and registrations, and serves as the county’s Voter Registrar. As Voter Registrar, the office manages voter registration records and applications.

The County Clerk administers county elections, maintains records for the Commissioners Court and county courts, and keeps public records such as deeds and birth and death certificates. The office also issues marriage licenses and maintains other official county records.

The District Clerk keeps district court records, collects court fees, manages funds held by the courts, coordinates jury selection, processes passport applications, and maintains historical court records.

The County Treasurer receives, manages, and pays out county funds. The office also handles county bond payments, processes bail bond funds, and pays jurors.

The Probate Judge handles wills and estates, determines heirs when someone dies without a will, and oversees guardianships for minors and people who cannot care for themselves. The judge also handles court-ordered mental health commitments and eminent domain cases.

Civil District Judges hear cases involving divorce, property disputes, election contests, contracts, and other civil matters. They make legal rulings, conduct trials, and issue judgments in cases assigned to their courts.

Criminal District Judges hear felony criminal cases, including serious offenses that can result in imprisonment. They oversee court proceedings, make legal rulings, conduct trials, and impose sentences when required.

County Court-at-Law Judges hear misdemeanor criminal cases and certain civil cases. They oversee court proceedings, make legal rulings, and conduct trials with or without a jury. Travis County has seven County Courts at Law focused on criminal cases and two focused on civil cases.

Justices of the Peace hear traffic and other minor criminal cases, small civil cases, and landlord-tenant disputes, including evictions. They also perform duties such as setting bail, conducting inquests, and may perform marriage ceremonies.

The County Attorney prosecutes misdemeanor criminal cases and provides legal advice to the Commissioners Court and other county officials. The office also handles civil cases involving protective orders, child abuse and neglect, mental health commitments, and other matters on behalf of the state or county.

The District Attorney prosecutes felony criminal cases on behalf of the state, works with law enforcement on criminal investigations, and presents cases to grand juries. The office also handles certain cases involving protective orders and child abuse.

A Municipal Utility District, or MUD, is a local government district that provides services such as water, wastewater, and drainage within its boundaries.

MUD elections are not covered in the Voters Guide.

The Texas Supreme Court is the state’s highest court for civil and juvenile cases. Its nine justices, including the Chief Justice, hear appeals and make final decisions on important legal issues. Justices are elected statewide and serve six-year terms.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is the state’s highest court for criminal cases. Its nine judges, including the Presiding Judge, review criminal appeals, all cases resulting in a death sentence, and certain claims of wrongful conviction. Judges are elected statewide and serve six-year terms.

Texas Courts of Appeals review civil and criminal cases appealed from lower courts in their regions. Each court has a Chief Justice and other justices. Justices are elected to six-year terms.

The Governor is the state’s chief executive. The Governor signs or vetoes legislation, appoints people to many state offices and boards, calls special sessions of the Legislature, and directs the state’s response to emergencies. The Governor also serves as commander-in-chief of the state’s military forces and serves a four-year term.

The Lieutenant Governor leads the Texas Senate, appoints Senate committees and their leaders, assigns bills to committees, and helps set the Senate’s agenda. The Lieutenant Governor also serves on several state boards and commissions and acts as Governor when the Governor is absent. The term is four years.

The Attorney General is the state’s chief legal officer and represents Texas and state officials in legal matters. The office also issues legal opinions, collects child support, administers compensation for crime victims, enforces open government and consumer protection laws, and reviews public bond issues. The term is four years.

The Comptroller is the state’s chief financial officer. The office collects state taxes and fees, pays the state’s bills, estimates how much revenue the state will have, and reports on state finances. The Comptroller also provides financial and economic information to state and local governments. The term is four years.

The Land Commissioner leads the Texas General Land Office and manages state-owned lands and mineral rights that generate money for public education. The office also oversees the Alamo, coastal protection programs, and land and housing programs for Texas veterans. The term is four years.

A Railroad Commissioner is one of three elected members of the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the oil and gas industry, gas utilities, pipelines, and some mining. Despite its name, the Commission does not regulate railroads. Commissioners serve six-year terms.

The State Board of Education has 15 elected members who set curriculum standards and graduation requirements for Texas public schools, review and approve instructional materials, and oversee the Permanent School Fund. Members serve four-year terms.

Texas has 150 State Representatives, each elected from a district to serve in the Texas House of Representatives. They propose and vote on state laws, approve the state budget, serve on committees, and elect the Speaker of the House. Representatives serve two-year terms.

Texas has 31 State Senators, each elected from a district to serve in the Texas Senate. They propose and vote on state laws, approve the state budget, and serve on committees. The Lieutenant Governor leads the Senate. Senators serve four-year terms.

The President leads the executive branch of the federal government and is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military. The President carries out federal laws, signs or vetoes legislation, and appoints Cabinet members, ambassadors, Supreme Court justices, and other federal judges, with Senate approval where required. The President serves a four-year term.

Texas elects two U.S. Senators to represent the state in Congress. Senators propose and vote on federal laws and spending. The Senate also votes on presidential appointments, including federal judges, considers treaties, and holds trials in impeachment cases. Senators serve six-year terms.

U.S. Representatives are elected from congressional districts to serve in the House of Representatives. They propose and vote on federal laws, taxes, and spending and elect the Speaker of the House. The House also has the power to bring impeachment charges against federal officials. Representatives serve two-year terms.

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