2026 Ballot Guide

What is this?

The Lowry Crossing City Council is the governing body of the city. It consists of the Mayor and five Council Members, each representing a geographic ward. Ward 4 has two seats up for election in May 2026.

Powers & responsibilities

• •Pass city ordinances (local laws) on topics like zoning, animal control, building permits, and code enforcement
• •Approve the annual city budget — deciding how tax dollars are spent on roads, water, fire protection, and city operations
• •Set the city's property tax rate each year
• •Authorize contracts for city services (trash collection, road repair, etc.)
• •Appoint the City Administrator, Building Official, and other key staff
• •Create or amend the city's zoning map and land-use regulations

How it works

Lowry Crossing is a Type A General Law city — meaning its powers come directly from the Texas Local Government Code, not a local charter. The council meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 PM at City Hall (1405 S. Bridgefarmer Rd). All meetings are open to the public under the Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA). Council members serve 2-year terms.

Why it matters to Lowry Crossing

City Council decisions have the most direct, day-to-day impact on your life in Lowry Crossing. They determine your property tax rate, decide what can be built near your home, set rules for noise and animals, approve road projects, and manage the city's finances. With a population of ~1,720, your vote carries significant weight — every council election is decided by a small number of ballots.

What is this?

This is a ballot proposition (not a candidate race) asking voters whether to reduce the city's property tax rate. A "For" vote means you support lowering the rate; an "Against" vote means you want to keep the current rate.

Powers & responsibilities

• •Propositions are binding — if voters approve it, the city must implement the tax rate reduction
• •The tax rate directly determines how much property tax you pay each year
• •A reduced rate means lower tax bills but also means the city collects less revenue for services

How it works

Texas law requires voter approval for certain tax rate changes. The current Lowry Crossing property tax rate is approximately $0.147 per $100 of assessed property value (maintenance & operations only — no debt service). This proposition asks whether to reduce that rate. For context: on a home appraised at $400,000, the current city tax is about $588/year. The proposition would lower that amount.

Why it matters to Lowry Crossing

This is a direct democracy moment — you're voting on your own tax bill. A lower rate reduces what every homeowner pays, but it also reduces the city's budget for roads, code enforcement, fire protection, and other services. Understanding this trade-off is the key to casting an informed vote.

What is this?

The Community ISD Board of Trustees is the elected governing body of the Community Independent School District, which serves students in parts of Lowry Crossing, Nevada, Copeville, and surrounding areas. Four seats are on the May 2026 ballot: Place 1 (special election to fill a vacancy), and Places 4, 5, and 6.

Powers & responsibilities

• •Hire and evaluate the Superintendent — the CEO of the school district
• •Adopt the district's annual budget (often the largest government budget affecting your household)
• •Set the school district property tax rate (typically much higher than the city's rate)
• •Approve curriculum standards, instructional materials, and educational programs
• •Authorize construction of new schools and facility improvements (bond elections)
• •Establish school policies on safety, discipline, dress codes, and extracurricular activities

How it works

Texas school boards operate under the Texas Education Code. Trustees serve staggered terms and meet regularly to govern the district. No single board member has authority — the board acts only as a collective body through majority vote. Trustees must complete training on education law and governance. Board meetings are public under TOMA.

Why it matters to Lowry Crossing

School taxes typically make up 40–60% of your total property tax bill — making the school board the most expensive taxing entity for most homeowners. Beyond finances, these seven people shape the education of every child in the district. They decide class sizes, teacher pay, school construction, and the programs available to students.

What is this?

Melissa ISD serves parts of the Lowry Crossing area (depending on your address). Two board seats (Places 1 and 2) are on the May 2026 ballot. Melissa ISD has experienced rapid growth alongside the booming development in the area.

Powers & responsibilities

• •Same core powers as any Texas ISD board: hire superintendent, set tax rate, approve budget
• •Manage school construction to keep up with the area's rapid population growth
• •Approve bond proposals for new schools, athletic facilities, and technology upgrades
• •Establish policies for student safety, academic standards, and district operations

How it works

Same structure as Community ISD — elected trustees serve staggered terms, act as a collective body, and govern under the Texas Education Code. Meetings are public.

Why it matters to Lowry Crossing

If your home is in the Melissa ISD boundary (even within Lowry Crossing city limits), Melissa ISD sets your school property tax rate. With the area's rapid growth, the board faces major decisions about building new schools, managing bond debt, and maintaining educational quality during expansion.

What is this?

The Seis Lagos Utility District (SLUD) is a Special Utility District — a community-owned, government entity that provides water, wastewater, street maintenance, and fire protection to the Seis Lagos, Brockdale, and Commons of Camden neighborhoods. The five-member Board of Directors is elected at-large to four-year terms.

Powers & responsibilities

• •Set water and wastewater rates — determining your monthly utility bill
• •Approve the district's budget for infrastructure maintenance, emergency repairs, and system upgrades
• •Authorize contracts for water treatment, street repairs, and fire services
• •Ensure compliance with TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) regulations
• •Make decisions on infrastructure expansion as the area grows
• •Manage emergency response for water/wastewater system failures

How it works

SLUD is a political subdivision of the State of Texas, created under Texas Water Code Chapter 65. It operates like a miniature local government — with publicly elected directors, open meetings, public records, and rate-setting authority. It is NOT a homeowners association or private company. Board meetings are open to the public, and residents can address the board during the public comments period.

Why it matters to Lowry Crossing

If you live in the SLUD service area, this board directly controls your water and sewer rates, the quality of your water, and the maintenance of your streets. With aging infrastructure and a growing population, the board faces ongoing decisions about whether to invest in system upgrades (which may raise rates) or defer maintenance (which risks failures).

What is this?

One of Texas' two seats in the United States Senate. U.S. Senators represent the entire state — all 30+ million Texans — in the upper chamber of Congress.

Powers & responsibilities

• •Vote on all federal legislation — from tax policy and healthcare to defense spending and immigration
• •Confirm (or reject) presidential nominees for the Supreme Court, federal judges, and Cabinet positions
• •Ratify international treaties (requires 2/3 of the Senate)
• •Conduct impeachment trials of federal officials (the Senate is the jury)
• •Oversee federal agencies through committee hearings and investigations
• •Direct federal funding and programs that impact Texas communities

How it works

The U.S. Senate has 100 members — 2 per state, regardless of population. Texas Senators serve 6-year terms, staggered so both seats aren't up at the same time. Senators sit on committees (Armed Services, Judiciary, Finance, etc.) where most legislative work happens. A simple majority (51 votes) passes most legislation, but 60 votes are needed to overcome a filibuster.

Why it matters to Lowry Crossing

Your U.S. Senator votes on issues that affect every American — federal taxes, Social Security, Medicare, military spending, environmental regulations, immigration policy, and Supreme Court appointments that shape the law for decades. Texas is the second-largest state by population, so its Senators carry significant influence.

What is this?

Your member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Unlike Senators (who represent the whole state), your Representative serves a specific congressional district. Texas has 38 districts — more than any state except California.

Powers & responsibilities

• •Introduce and vote on all federal legislation (bills must pass BOTH the House and Senate)
• •Originate all tax and spending bills — the "power of the purse" starts in the House
• •Bring impeachment charges against federal officials (the House votes to impeach)
• •Serve on committees that oversee specific policy areas (Agriculture, Transportation, etc.)
• •Advocate for your district's needs — securing federal funding for local projects

How it works

The House has 435 members, apportioned by population. Representatives serve 2-year terms, so every seat is up in every midterm and presidential election. District boundaries are redrawn every 10 years after the Census. The Speaker of the House is second in the presidential line of succession (after the VP).

Why it matters to Lowry Crossing

Your House member is your most direct connection to the federal government. They're supposed to know your community's needs and fight for them in Washington. With 2-year terms, they face voters frequently and are more responsive to constituent concerns than Senators on 6-year cycles.

What is this?

The Governor of Texas is the state's chief executive — but in Texas, the governor's power is more limited than in many states. Texas intentionally designed a "weak governor" system after Reconstruction to prevent concentration of power.

Powers & responsibilities

• •Sign or veto legislation passed by the Texas Legislature (including line-item veto on spending bills)
• •Appoint members of state boards and commissions (over 3,000 positions)
• •Serve as commander-in-chief of the Texas National Guard and State Guard
• •Declare emergencies and disasters, mobilizing state resources
• •Deliver the State of the State address and set policy priorities
• •Grant clemency (pardons, commutations) on recommendation of the Board of Pardons and Paroles

How it works

The Governor serves a 4-year term with no term limits. Texas uses a "plural executive" — the Governor shares power with several independently elected officials (Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, etc.), each with their own authority. The Governor cannot unilaterally fire most agency heads or control the legislature's agenda.

Why it matters to Lowry Crossing

The Governor's veto power and appointment authority shape state policy on education, infrastructure, energy, public safety, and healthcare. Emergency declarations directly affect Lowry Crossing residents during severe weather, wildfires, or public health crises. The governor also sets the tone for state-local relations.

What is this?

Often called the most powerful official in Texas government — more influential than the Governor. The Lieutenant Governor serves as President of the Texas Senate, giving them enormous control over the state's legislative agenda.

Powers & responsibilities

• •Preside over the Texas Senate and control the flow of all legislation
• •Appoint all Senate committee chairs and members — deciding who controls what issues
• •Assign bills to committees (can send a bill to a friendly or hostile committee)
• •Decide parliamentary procedure disputes in the Senate
• •Cast tie-breaking votes in the Senate
• •Co-chair the Legislative Budget Board, which drafts the state's spending plan
• •Become Governor if the Governor leaves office

How it works

Elected independently from the Governor (they can be from different parties). Serves a 4-year term with no term limits. The Lt. Governor earns the same salary as a state legislator ($7,200/year + per diem). Despite the modest pay, the position's power over legislation, committee assignments, and the budget process makes it arguably the single most influential elected office in Texas.

Why it matters to Lowry Crossing

The Lt. Governor decides which bills get heard in the Senate and which die in committee. Property tax reform, school funding, utility regulation, zoning laws — the Lt. Governor controls whether these issues even reach a vote. Virtually every state law that affects Lowry Crossing passes through the Lt. Governor's hands.

What is this?

Texas' chief legal officer. The Attorney General represents the state in court, issues legal opinions that guide all state and local governments, and enforces consumer protection and open-government laws.

Powers & responsibilities

• •Represent Texas in lawsuits — including major cases against the federal government
• •Issue Attorney General Opinions that all state agencies and local governments rely on for legal guidance
• •Enforce the Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA) and Public Information Act (TPIA) — the laws that ensure transparency in Lowry Crossing's city council
• •Prosecute consumer fraud, Medicaid fraud, and human trafficking
• •Enforce child support orders across the state
• •Defend the constitutionality of Texas laws when challenged in court

How it works

Elected statewide for a 4-year term. The AG's office has thousands of employees across multiple divisions (Civil Litigation, Criminal Justice, Consumer Protection, Child Support). AG Opinions carry significant legal weight — when a city or county is unsure about the legality of an action, they often request an AG Opinion.

Why it matters to Lowry Crossing

The AG enforces the transparency laws that give you the right to attend Lowry Crossing council meetings and request public records. The AG's consumer protection division handles complaints about scams, price gouging, and deceptive business practices that affect residents.

What is this?

Texas' chief financial officer — the state's tax collector, accountant, treasurer, and revenue forecaster all in one office.

Powers & responsibilities

• •Collect all state taxes (sales tax, franchise tax, motor fuels tax — over 60 tax types)
• •Estimate state revenue for the legislature — the state budget cannot exceed this estimate
• •Manage the state treasury and invest state funds
• •Administer unclaimed property (forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks)
• •Run the Texas Tuition Promise Fund and college savings programs
• •Manage statewide purchasing contracts for government agencies

How it works

Before each legislative session, the Comptroller issues a Biennial Revenue Estimate — the official forecast of how much money the state will have to spend. The Legislature cannot spend more than this amount (without a 4/5 emergency vote). This single number shapes every state spending decision.

Why it matters to Lowry Crossing

Sales tax revenue collected by the Comptroller gets redistributed to cities — Lowry Crossing receives a share of the 1.5% city sales tax. The Comptroller's revenue estimates determine how much the state spends on education, roads, and public safety. If the estimate is conservative, programs get cut; if generous, spending increases.

What is this?

Manages Texas' 13 million acres of public land and the state's coastline. The General Land Office is the oldest state agency in Texas, founded in 1836 — even before Texas joined the United States.

Powers & responsibilities

• •Manage public lands and the revenue they generate (oil/gas leases, mineral rights)
• •Direct all revenue from public lands into the Permanent School Fund — which funds public education
• •Oversee disaster recovery efforts and distribute federal recovery grants
• •Protect and manage the Texas coastline (3,400+ miles)
• •Run veteran programs — home loans, long-term care, and state veteran cemeteries
• •Manage historic sites, including The Alamo

How it works

The Land Commissioner is elected statewide for a 4-year term. The GLO generates billions for the Permanent School Fund through leases on public lands — oil and gas royalties, wind farms, and other natural resources. The office also chairs the Veterans Land Board.

Why it matters to Lowry Crossing

Revenue from public lands helps fund every public school in Texas, including those serving Lowry Crossing. After natural disasters (hurricanes, floods, ice storms), the GLO manages federal recovery funding that communities depend on to rebuild.

What is this?

Leads the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), which promotes Texas agriculture and rural communities while administering nutrition programs and regulating weights, measures, and pesticides.

Powers & responsibilities

• •Administer school nutrition programs (school breakfast and lunch) across all Texas districts
• •Regulate weights and measures at gas pumps, grocery stores, and markets
• •License and regulate pesticide use
• •Support rural economic development and promote Texas-grown products
• •Administer the SNAP/food stamp program in Texas
• •Inspect and certify organic producers

How it works

Elected statewide for a 4-year term. The TDA has a broad portfolio that touches both rural farming communities and urban consumers. From ensuring the gas pump is accurate to making sure school lunches meet nutrition standards, this office impacts daily life in ways most voters never realize.

Why it matters to Lowry Crossing

Lowry Crossing sits in a historically agricultural area of Collin County. The Ag Commissioner's policies on pesticides, land use, and rural development directly affect the area. School nutrition programs funded through TDA serve students in Community ISD and Melissa ISD.

What is this?

Don't let the name fool you — the Railroad Commission hasn't regulated railroads since 2005. It's actually Texas' primary oil and gas regulator, overseeing one of the largest energy industries in the world.

Powers & responsibilities

• •Regulate all oil and gas drilling, production, and transportation in Texas
• •Oversee pipeline safety for natural gas and hazardous liquids
• •Set rates for natural gas utilities
• •Regulate LP-gas (propane) safety
• •Oversee surface mining (coal and uranium) and land reclamation
• •Regulate injection wells used for wastewater disposal (linked to induced seismicity)

How it works

Three commissioners are elected statewide to 6-year staggered terms (one seat per election cycle). Despite the outdated name, this is one of the most consequential offices in Texas — regulating an industry that generates billions in state revenue and employs hundreds of thousands of Texans.

Why it matters to Lowry Crossing

Natural gas pipelines run through the Collin County area. The Railroad Commission's decisions on pipeline safety, drilling permits, and utility rates affect energy costs for Lowry Crossing residents. Their regulatory decisions also have significant environmental implications — from groundwater protection to air quality.

What is this?

Members of the Texas Legislature — the state lawmaking body. All 150 House seats are up in 2026, along with 16 of the 31 Senate seats. These are the people who write the state laws that directly shape what cities like Lowry Crossing can and cannot do.

Powers & responsibilities

• •Write and pass all state laws — from property tax rules to education funding formulas
• •Approve the state's biennial (two-year) budget of approximately $300 billion
• •Propose constitutional amendments (which then go to voters)
• •Conduct oversight of state agencies through committee hearings
• •Redraw electoral district boundaries every 10 years
• •Override a governor's veto with a 2/3 vote in both chambers

How it works

Texas has a part-time legislature that meets for 140 days every odd-numbered year (the Governor can call special sessions). Senators serve 4-year terms; Representatives serve 2-year terms. The Lt. Governor controls the Senate; the Speaker of the House controls the House. Bills must pass both chambers in identical form and be signed by the Governor to become law.

Why it matters to Lowry Crossing

State law defines what general-law cities like Lowry Crossing can do — your city council's powers, property tax limits, zoning authority, annexation rules, and open meetings requirements all come from the legislature. The school funding formula, highway spending priorities, and criminal justice policies that affect your daily life are all set at the state level.

What is this?

The 15-member State Board of Education (SBOE) sets curriculum standards, selects textbooks, and manages the Permanent School Fund — the largest educational endowment in the country.

Powers & responsibilities

• •Set curriculum standards (TEKS) for every public school in Texas — what students learn in every grade and subject
• •Approve (or reject) textbooks and instructional materials
• •Manage the $56+ billion Permanent School Fund endowment
• •Establish graduation requirements
• •Create or consolidate school districts

How it works

Members are elected from 15 geographic districts for 4-year terms. Eight seats are up in 2026. The SBOE meets quarterly and adopts the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum standards. Because Texas is one of the largest textbook markets in the country, SBOE decisions influence textbook content nationwide.

Why it matters to Lowry Crossing

The SBOE determines what your children learn in school — from history and science standards to which textbooks are in the classroom. The Permanent School Fund generates billions annually that help fund every school district in Texas, including Community ISD and Melissa ISD.

What is this?

Texas is one of only two states (along with Oklahoma) that has two courts of last resort: the Supreme Court of Texas (for civil cases) and the Court of Criminal Appeals (for criminal cases). Multiple seats on both courts are on the 2026 ballot, along with Courts of Appeals and District Court judges.

Powers & responsibilities

• •Supreme Court: Final authority on all civil matters in Texas — property disputes, business litigation, family law, personal injury
• •Court of Criminal Appeals: Final authority on all criminal matters — death penalty cases, constitutional criminal rights
• •Courts of Appeals: Hear appeals from trial courts across designated regions
• •District Courts: Trial courts of general jurisdiction — handle felonies, civil cases over $200, divorces, and land title disputes

How it works

Texas elects its judges through partisan elections — a practice that is controversial and relatively rare among states. Supreme Court and Criminal Appeals justices serve 6-year terms. District judges serve 4-year terms. Judges must be licensed Texas attorneys. Collin County has multiple district courts, and the County Judge (discussed below) is a separate elected position.

Why it matters to Lowry Crossing

Elected judges make decisions on property rights, criminal sentences, family law, and business disputes. In Collin County, district judges handle everything from felony criminal cases to divorce proceedings to disputes over property boundaries. Judicial elections are often the least-researched part of the ballot, but judges wield enormous power over people's lives.

What is this?

Despite the title, the Collin County Judge is NOT primarily a judicial officer — the position is the county's chief executive, similar to a county CEO. The County Judge presides over the Commissioners Court, the five-member governing body of the county.

Powers & responsibilities

• •Preside over the Commissioners Court (the county's governing body)
• •Help set the county property tax rate and approve the county budget
• •Serve as the head of emergency management for the county
• •Oversee county services: roads, courts, elections, public health, and emergency services
• •Appoint members of countywide boards and commissions
• •Act as the ceremonial head of county government

How it works

The County Judge and four County Commissioners make up the Commissioners Court — the county's equivalent of a city council. Each commissioner represents a geographic precinct, while the County Judge is elected countywide and casts a vote on all matters. In populous counties like Collin, the judicial functions are handled by County Courts at Law, so the County Judge focuses almost entirely on executive and administrative duties.

Why it matters to Lowry Crossing

Collin County provides services that Lowry Crossing residents use every day — road maintenance (including farm-to-market roads), the sheriff's office, the county court system, elections administration, property appraisals, and emergency services. The County Judge shapes the budget and policies for all of these. With Collin County's rapid growth (now 1.2+ million residents), the county faces major decisions about infrastructure, public safety, and development.

What is this?

Multiple Collin County offices are on the November 2026 ballot: County Clerk, District Attorney, District Clerk, County Commissioners (Precincts 2 & 4), County Court at Law judges (7 seats), County Probate Court judge, Justices of the Peace, and the County Appraisal District Board.

Powers & responsibilities

• •County Clerk: Records vital records (births, deaths, marriages), property deeds, and assumed business names; manages county elections
• •District Attorney: Prosecutes felony criminal cases in Collin County on behalf of the State of Texas
• •District Clerk: Manages all records for district courts — filing lawsuits, processing jury summons, maintaining case files
• •County Commissioners: Each represents one of four geographic precincts; together with the County Judge, they set the tax rate and budget
• •Justices of the Peace: Handle small claims (up to $20,000), traffic tickets, evictions, truancy, and issue arrest/search warrants
• •County Appraisal District Board: Oversees the Collin Central Appraisal District (Collin CAD) — which determines your property's appraised value for tax purposes

How it works

Texas counties have a "plural executive" — unlike a city with a single manager, county officers are independently elected and answer to voters, not to each other. The County Judge and Commissioners set the budget, but cannot hire or fire other elected officials. This system creates checks and balances but can also create friction.

Why it matters to Lowry Crossing

The DA decides who gets prosecuted for crimes in your community. The County Clerk records your property deed and marriage license. JPs handle your traffic tickets and small claims cases. And the Appraisal District Board oversees the agency that determines your home's value — which directly determines your property tax bill. These offices may be below the fold on the ballot, but they have outsized impact on daily life.