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How to Run for City Council in San Marcos, TX

A nonpartisan guide to City Council in San Marcos. Learn the requirements to run for office near you.
Filing opens
July 17, 2027
Election date
November 2, 2027
275
Days until filing opens
383
Days until election

About City Council

About this position

(1) Appoint and remove the City Manager, all City Officers, and Department Heads; (2) Establish other administrative departments; (3) Establish the city's organizational chart and the number and position of employees; (4) Adopt the City budget; (5) Authorize the issuance of bonds by a bond ordinance; (6) Hear employee complaints of nonfeasance, malfeasance, and misfeasance, and inquire into the conduct of any office, department, or agency of the City and make investigations as to municipal affairs; (7) Appoint all commissions, boards, committees, task forces, and/or appointed groups to assist the City Council in the performance of its duties and responsibilities; (8) Set and fix the salaries and compensation for the non-elective City officers and employees; (9) Adopt and modify the zoning plan and the building code of the City; (10) Compromise and settle any and all claims and lawsuits of every kind and character in favor or against the City; (11) Adopt plats; (12) Adopt and amend the Comprehensive Plan; (13) Adopt Robert's Rules of Order governing City Council parliamentary procedures and amend such rules as necessary; and (14) Adopt and modify the official map of the City.
Office level
City
Election frequency
Every 3 years
Affiliation
Nonpartisan
Positions
1 open seat

Election type

  • Partisan election (party labels appear on ballots)
  • Run-off election

How to run for City Council

  1. User Round
    Step 1

    Meet eligibility requirements

    Must be at least 18 years of age // Must be a U.S. citizen // Must be a qualified voter of the city // Must have had principal physical residence in the city for at least one year preceding the election // Must be current on all financial obligations to the city

  2. File Text
    Step 2

    File for office

    Filing requirements
    No filing fee or petition signature requirement.
    Filing period
    July 17, 2027 - August 16, 2027
    Paperwork instructions
    Submit paperwork to the City Secretary/Clerk's office.
    Where to file
    630 E Hopkins, San Marcos, TX 78666
    Filing phone
    512-393-8090
  3. Trending Up
    Step 3

    Launch your campaign

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Candidates for City Council

Learn about candidates who have filed to run for City Council.

What this symbol means

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Who's currently in office

Learn about who represents you in San Marcos.

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Are you ready for San Marcos's next election?

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Request a mail-in ballot

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Guide

How to Run for City Council: Requirements, Duties, and Steps

A step-by-step guide to running for City Council as an independent candidate, from deciding to run to election night.

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About this guide

GoodParty.org is a nonpartisan organization that helps people run for local office without backing from a political party. This voter guide shows you every race and candidate in one place. Candidates who take the GoodParty.org Pledge get a heart-and-star badge next to their name and can edit their own profiles.

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