What do your elected officials do?
We’ve worked with our partners at KUT and La Politica to produce a comprehensive list of every job description on the ballot in Travis County, Texas. At the end of the day, politicians are running to do a job, and we’re the boss. So, like any effective boss, if we want to hold them accountable, knowing what job they are running to do is a good start. Use this guide as a reference to better understand the folks who represent you—from U.S. Senator to County Commissioner. We believe in informed, confident voting. Like everything we do, it’s nonpartisan and meant simply to inform you. So read it, share it, and let us know if you have any questions. We’re here to help.
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Term Length
6 years
Areas Represented
Texas
About this Position
Every state in the U.S. elects two people to represent them in the U.S. Senate, which is the upper chamber of Congress. They are elected statewide for six-year terms. Texas Sen. John Cornyn is up for re-election this year.
Job Description
U.S. Senators are elected to the federal government to represent each state. Senators' main job is to create, debate, and vote on bills that affect the entire country. They also have the sole power to approve appointments to the President's cabinet and nominees to the Supreme Court.
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Term Length
2 years
Areas Represented
Districts within each state
About this Position
Texas has 36 seats in the U.S House of Representatives, which is the lower chamber of Congress. Their terms are two years. Austin is divided into 5 different Congressional districts.
Job Description
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are elected to the federal government to represent districts within each state. Like senators, their main job is to create, debate, and vote on bills that affect the entire country. Representatives advocate for policies that would be beneficial to the citizens of the district to which they were elected.
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Term Length
2 years
Areas Represented
Districts within Texas
About this Position
The Texas House is the lower chamber of the state Legislature. It consists of 150 members, who are on the ballot every two years. Along with the state Senate, it drafts and passes laws, policies and budgets. It meets for 140 days during odd-numbered years.
Job Description
Members of the Texas House of Representatives are elected to the state legislature to represent 150 districts within the State of Texas. Like members of the U.S. Congress, Texas Representatives create, debate, and vote on bills that affect the entire state. They also propose constitutional amendments to submit to voters, and they make decisions about the state budget.
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U.S. House Seats by District
About this position
The District 10 House seat is one of Texas' 36 seats in the US House of Representatives, which is the lower chamber of Congress. It covers parts of north and east Austin and stretches to parts of Bastrop and all the way to northwestern parts of Houston.
Areas Represented
Covers parts of north and east Austin and stretches to parts of Bastrop and all the way to northwestern parts of Houston.
About this position
The District 17 House seat is one of Texas' 36 seats in the US House of Representatives, which is the lower chamber of Congress. It stretches from Central Austin to Waco and College Station.
Areas Represented
stretches from Central Austin to Waco and College Station
About this position
The District 21 House seat is one of Texas' 36 seats in the US House of Representatives, which is the lower chamber of Congress. It runs from Southwest Austin down to through San Marcos to northern parts of San Antonio, and includes Johnson City and Fredericksburg.
Areas Represented
runs from Southwest Austin down to through San Marcos to northern parts of San Antonio, and includes Johnson City and Fredericksburg.
About this position
The District 25 House seat is one of Texas' 36 seats in the US House of Representatives, which is the lower chamber of Congress. It runs from Tarrant County in North Texas down the western halves of Travis and Hays Counties.
Areas Represented
runs from Tarrant County in North Texas down the western halves of Travis and Hays Counties
About this position
The District 31 House seat is one of Texas' 36 seats in the US House of Representatives, which is the lower chamber of Congress. It includes all of Williamson County and most of Bell County to the north.
Areas Represented
includes all of Williamson County and most of Bell County to the north.
About this position
The District 35 House seat is one of Texas' 36 seats in the US House of Representatives, which is the lower chamber of Congress. It includes parts of six counties. Running from the Eastern part of Travis County down to the Eastern part of Bexar County.
Areas Represented
includes parts of six counties. Running from the Eastern part of Travis County down to the Eastern part of Bexar County
House Seats by District
About this position
House District 47 is one of 150 single-member districts for the Texas House of Representatives. District 47 comprises a large area of far west Austin and a tiny slice of the southern part of the city.
Areas Represented
represents a large area of far west Austin and a tiny slice of the southern part of the city.
About this position
House District 49 is one of 150 single-member districts for the Texas House of Representatives. District 49 stretches from Sunset Valley and into northern Austin, covering much of the area west of IH 35.
Areas Represented
stretches from Sunset Valley and into northern Austin, covering much of the area west of IH 35.
About this position
House District 51 is one of 150 single-member districts for the Texas House of Representatives. District 51 covers a large swath of southeast Austin, including the area around the airport.
Areas Represented
covers a large swath of southeast Austin, including the area around the airport.
Courts
Term Length
6 years
Areas Represented
Texas
About this Position
Texas Supreme Court is the state's court of last resort for civil matters. The caseload of the Texas Supreme Court is determined by whether the court decides to grant a review of a judgment. The Court usually takes only those cases that present the most significant Texas legal issues in need of clarification. The court is made up of eight justices and one Chief Justice, who are elected to six-year terms in partisan elections.
Job Description
Deals with lawsuits between people, businesses and organizations as opposed to criminal cases. Much of the Supreme Court’s time is spent determining which petitions for review will be granted, as it must consider all petitions for review that are filed. The court is made up of eight justices and one Chief Justice, who are elected to six-year terms in partisan elections.
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Term Length
6 years
Areas Represented
Texas
About this Position
A chief justice or judge refers to the presiding justice of either the Supreme Court of the United States or a state supreme court. Chief justices of the state supreme courts act as head of the judiciaries in their states, in addition to serving as a justice on the court.
Job Description
Oversees the Texas Supreme Court, but has an equal vote in decisions. The Chief Justice assigns the other justices administrative duties.
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Term Length
6 years
Areas Represented
Texas
About this Position
Place numbers indicate one of the eight justice seats in the Texas Supreme Court. While each Justice is assigned a “place,” they are elected statewide. The place designation has no significance beyond where they are listed on the ballot.
Job Description
Hears final appeals of decisions on civil cases and attorney discipline, issuing writs of mandamus/habeas corpus, and conducting proceedings for removal of judges.
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Term Length
6 years
Areas Represented
Texas
About this Position
The Court of Criminal Appeals is the highest criminal court in Texas. It is composed of a Presiding Judge and eight judges who are elected statewide. Although all nine seats are elected at large, the Presiding Judge seat is separately designated from the other seats. Places 3 and 4 on the court are up for grabs in November.
Job Description
Has ultimate say over criminal appeals, including death penalty cases.
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Term Length
6 years
Areas Represented
Austin area
About this Position
The Texas Third Court of Appeals is one of 14 intermediate appellate courts in Texas. The court consists of six justices hearing cases from 24 counties—one chief justice and five justices.
Job Description
Has intermediate appellate jurisdiction of both civil and criminal cases appealed from lower courts in the 24 counties. In civil cases, it has jurisdiction where judgment rendered exceeds $100, exclusive of costs, and other civil proceedings as provided by law. It has jurisdiction in criminal cases except in post-conviction writs of habeas corpus and in cases where the death penalty has been imposed.
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Term Length
4 years
Areas Represented
Travis County
About this Position
The Travis County Courts at Law hear civil and criminal cases. There are 9 courts of law in the county, and each has a different specialty.
Job Description
The County Courts at Law preside over Class A (up to 1 year in jail, $4,000 fine, or both) and Class B (up t0 180 days in county jail, $2,000 fine) misdemeanor cases. There are seven such courts in Travis County that deal with criminal cases, but only No. 4 is on the ballot this year.
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Judges
Term Length
4 years
Areas Represented
Varies
About this Position
District civil court judges preside over civil (non-criminal) cases. Most district courts deal with civil and criminal matters.
Job Description
The District Civil Court Judges preside over civil cases, like divorces, land disputes, contested elections and civil cases with damages greater than $200. They also serve the entire county for four-year terms. Judges for the 53rd, 98th, 126th, 200th, 345th, 353rd, and 390th civil district courts are on the ballot this year.
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Term Length
4 years
Areas Represented
Varies
About this Position
13 of Texas' 458 District Courts are designated criminal district courts, which means they deal specifically with criminal cases.
Job Description
The District Criminal Court Judge preside over felony cases. Each district court judge serves the entire county for four-year terms. Judges for the 167th, 390th, 427th, 450th and 460th (all representing Travis County) criminal district courts are on the ballot this year.
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Term Length
4 years
Areas Represented
Each county
About this Position
The county judge is the presiding authority on the commissioners court, which serves as the governing body of the county.
Job Description
County judges help govern county government. They're influential in providing safety protection, public transportation, parks, hospitals and buildings, providing zoning, waste, water and permit regulations, and levying and collecting taxes for county and municipal organizations. The county judge does not have judicial powers.
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Attorneys
Term Length
4 years
Areas Represented
Travis County
About this Position
The district attorney is appointed by the governor to serve a four year term. Their role can vary by county, but they generally deal with felony criminal offenses and they represent state agencies.
Job Description
The District Attorney of Travis County is responsible for prosecuting felony crimes, assisting law enforcement with investigations, and presenting cases to a grand jury.
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Term Length
4 years
Areas Represented
Travis County
About this Position
The county attorney is elected to a four year term, and they only exist in counties that do not have a criminal district attorney. They generally prosecute misdemeanor criminal cases, enforce election violations, and represent county officials in lawsuits related to their duties.
Job Description
The Travis County Attorney prosecutes misdemeanor crimes, obtains protective orders for domestic violence victims, obtains involuntary commitments for certain mentally ill people and gives legal advice to County officials.
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Term Length
4 years
Areas Represented
Travis County
About this Position
The sheriff enforces criminal laws, manages the county jail, and provides security for the courts. They are elected to a four year term.
Job Description
The Travis County Sheriff enforces criminal law, manages the Travis County jail, including the Travis County Correctional Complex in Del Valle as well as providing security for the courts. They are elected to a four year term.
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Term Length
4 years
Areas Represented
Travis County
About this Position
The county commission is the primary legislative body for the county. It consists of four commissioners (elected by district) and one county judge, who presides over the commission. All members serve four year terms.
Job Description
The Travis County Commissioners are responsible for drafting and passing policies and budgets for the county government, similar to a city council member. There are five county commissioners divided up by geographic district. Precinct 3 includes much of Western Travis County.
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Term Length
4 years
Areas Represented
Travis County
About this Position
Travis County is served by five constables who are elected by district to four-year terms. A constable is "an authorized peace officer and is the chief process server of the justice court."
Job Description
County constables are the law enforcement arm of Travis County. They can issue traffic citations, serve as bailiffs in justice of the peace courts and forcibly evict someone per court orders.
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Term Length
6 years
Areas Represented
Texas
About this Position
The Railroad Commission has nothing to do with railroads (has ceased to regulate railroads since 2005). The name is just a throwback to a time when it did. Now, it is the state agency that regulates the oil, gas and mining industries in Texas. The Commission is overseen by a three member board of Railroad Commissioners who are elected statewide to six-year terms, with one Commissioner seeking election every two years. No specific seat is designated as Chairman. The Commissioners decide who will serve as Chairman.
Job Description
Regulates the oil and gas industry, natural gas utilities, pipeline safety, the natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline industry and surface coal and uranium mining in Texas. The commission is also responsible for research and education to promote the use of liquefied petroleum gas as an alternative fuel.
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Education
Term Length
4 yrs
Areas Represented
Includes Blanco, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Kerr, Llano, Mason, San Saba and parts of Bexar and Travis counties.
About this Position
The District 5 Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) Member represents Blanco, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Kerr, Llano, Mason, San Saba and parts of Bexar and Travis counties. The SBOE consists of 15 members who are responsible for managing the state's K-12 education.
Job Description
The State Board of Education oversees education policy and standards for public schools statewide, including funding, graduation requirements , instructional materials and curriculum standards. There are 15 members representing 15 different educational districts in Texas.
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Term Length
4yrs
Areas Represented
Includes Williamson and Bell Counties, as well as parts of Travis, Freestone, Waller and Burnet Counties.
About this Position
The District 10 Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) Member represents Includes Williamson and Bell Counties, as well as parts of Travis, Freestone, Waller and Burnet counties. The SBOE consists of 15 members who are responsible for managing the state's K-12 education.
Job Description
The State Board of Education oversees education policy and standards for public schools statewide, including funding, graduation requirements , instructional materials and curriculum standards. There are 15 members representing 15 different educational districts in Texas.
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