Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Bowie City Council Election 2026
2 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 4 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
Not sure who to vote for? Answer 5 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.
No sign-in. Your answers stay on your device. We never endorse anyone.
How to vote · 11 days left
These links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.
The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.
City Council Precinct 1
1 seatBowie elects its councilors by precinct; on this ballot Precinct 1 and Precinct 3 are contested, one seat each.
Also on your Nov 3 ballot
We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.
- Governor
- Greg Abbott · Republican Party
- Gina Hinojosa · Democratic Party
- Pat Dixon · Libertarian Party
- U.S. Senate
- Ken Paxton · Republican Party
- James Talarico · Democratic Party
- Ted Brown · Libertarian Party
- Also statewideLieutenant Governor · Attorney General · Comptroller of Public Accounts · Commissioner of the General Land Office · Commissioner of Agriculture · Railroad Commissioner · Chief Justice, Supreme Court · Justice, Supreme Court, Place 2, Unexpired Term · and 8 more
Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.
Already on the council, not on the ballot
Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.
What the next council decides
01Property taxes and budget4 sourced facts
Where it standsIn September 2026 the council adopted a 2026-27 budget and a tax rate of $0.5750 per $100, up from $0.5430.
What's on the tableThe next council will set future tax rates and budgets.
- The council adopted a tax rate of $0.5750 per $100, recorded as effectively a 5.89% increase in the tax rate. City of Bowie · Sep 8, 2026
- At a July 2026 budget workshop, the city manager said the current tax rate was $0.5430 per $100 of assessed valuation. City of Bowie · Jul 27, 2026
- City Manager Cunningham noted the city's tax rate had remained unchanged for approximately seven years. City of Bowie · Jul 14, 2026
- City health insurance costs rose 22.41% for the city this year. City of Bowie · Sep 8, 2026
02License plate reader cameras3 sourced facts
Where it standsIn July 2026 the council voted 2-4 against a TxDOT agreement for automated license plate recognition cameras.
What's on the tableThe council may again face questions about police use of license plate cameras.
- In March 2026 the council approved a grant application to the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority for six Flock cameras. City of Bowie · Mar 24, 2026
- Several citizens voiced opposition to the Flock cameras, citing privacy concerns. City of Bowie · Jul 28, 2026
- A former Bowie City Council member obtained paperwork to circulate an initiative petition to block license plate recognition systems in the city. Bowie News · Aug 6, 2026
03Ambulance membership program2 sourced facts
Where it standsIn July 2026 the council accepted the MASA medical transport program, with the mayor breaking a 2-2 tie.
What's on the tableThe next council will oversee the program and any changes to it.
- Enrollment is required of all residential water customers, with an option to opt out. City of Bowie · Jul 14, 2026
- The plan should run about $7.75 a month per household. City of Bowie · Jul 14, 2026
04Zoning and the comprehensive plan2 sourced facts
Where it standsBowie is writing a new comprehensive plan, including a zoning update, with a $300,000 grant.
What's on the tableThe next council will act on the plan's land-use map and zoning changes.
- Bowie received a $300,000 grant from the General Land Office of Texas to fund the comprehensive plan, which includes a zoning update. City of Bowie · Mar 10, 2026
- The council voted to delete tiny houses from the residential uses chart in the city code. City of Bowie · Mar 10, 2026
05Electric and water utility costs3 sourced facts
Where it standsBowie runs its own electric and water utilities and faces new state mandates and water projects.
What's on the tableThe next council will decide utility charges and how to pay for required projects.
- The city manager estimated the utility pole inspection requirement and electric line vegetation plan at $250,000 to $300,000. City of Bowie · Jun 9, 2026
- In January 2024 the council voted 4 no and 2 yes on a Power Cost Recovery increase presented by the city manager. City of Bowie · Jan 8, 2024
- The council awarded the Rock and Pillar drainage project bid to Wall Contractors in August 2026. City of Bowie · Aug 25, 2026
1 note on these statements
The Precinct 3 place on the ballot is the seat held by Councilor Laramie Truax. Bowie News · Jul 16, 2026
No sign-in · answers stay on your phone
Who matches you?
Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.
1. Should Bowie raise its property tax rate to pay for city costs?
2. Should Bowie allow automated license plate reader cameras?
3. Should the city adopt the MASA medical transport program for residents?
4. Should tiny houses be an allowed residential use in Bowie?
5. Should the city raise electric charges to recover higher power costs?
Key dates
The seat math
5 stay (not up this year): Gaylynn Burris, Boyd Hulstine, Stephanie Post, Brent Shaw, Laura Sproles2 on this ballot
6 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.
- The Precinct 1, 2 and 3 council places on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot are all two-year terms. Bowie News · Jul 16, 2026
- When the six councilors split 3-3 on an ordinance in June 2026, Mayor Burris broke the tie by voting. City of Bowie · Jun 23, 2026
- In March 2026 the council appointed TJay McEwen to fill the unexpired Precinct 1 term ending November 2026. City of Bowie · Mar 24, 2026
Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
See something wrong? Report an error
Something wrong or missing? Tell us what and where, with a link to a source if you have one. Reports feed the next verification run.