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.

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)
  • Early Voting Begins
• Monday, April 20 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 21 - CLOSED- San Jacinto Day
• Wednesday - Friday, April 22-24 from 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday, April 25 and April 26 - CLOSED
• Monday - Tuesday, April 27-28 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• • Election Day!

May 2, 2026 Voting Location Map (see Smith County Election website)

Posting of HB 305

Notice of Deadline to File an Application for Place on the Ballot

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

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

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)

 Former Mayor & Council Members

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.