Texas Appraisal District Board Elections 2026: Who's on the Ballot and What the Board Does

Last updated: Oct. 30, 2026

On Nov. 3, 2026, voters in many large Texas counties will elect three at-large members to their appraisal district board of directors. These nonpartisan seats were created by Senate Bill 2 in 2023 for counties with more than 75,000 people. The board hires the chief appraiser, adopts the district's budget and appoints the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) that hears protests. It doesn't set your home's value or your tax rate.

What does an appraisal district board do?

Under Texas Tax Code Chapter 6, the board of directors governs the appraisal district (CAD). According to the Travis Central Appraisal District, its board hires the chief appraiser, approves the budget and contracts, and sets general policies, but doesn't appraise property or review values. The Allen Record reports that Collin's board also appoints the ARB and adopts the biennial reappraisal plan.

• The board doesn't decide what your house is worth, hear your protest or set tax rates.
• Your school district, city, county and other local taxing units set the rates on your bill.
• The ARB, appointed under the board's oversight, hears protests when you and the CAD can't settle informally.

Who is running for appraisal district boards in 2026?

• Harris County (HCAD): Place 1, Kathy Blueford-Daniels and Beverly Barrett. Place 2, Chris Ehlinger, Jourdyn Wilson and Claudio Gutierrez. Place 3, Cristin Moses, Ericka McCrutcheon and Jesus Nieto, per HCAD's election notice.
• Travis County (TCAD): Place 1, Skyler Korgel. Place 2, Brian Pena. Place 3, Yvonne Munoz and Philip Gorman, per TCAD.
• Bexar County (BCAD): Place 1, Diana Arévalo and Susan Meryl Bayne. Place 2, incumbent Erika Hizel and Leticia Anguiano. Place 3, Jon Melendez, unopposed, per the San Antonio Report.
• Collin County (CCAD): Place 2 is the only contested seat, between Andrew Cook and Michael G. Smith. Randal Shinn (Place 1) and Joe Corcoran (Place 3) are unopposed, per the Allen Record.
• Tarrant County (TAD): candidates are split on whether TAD should go back to appraising homes every year instead of every other year, according to the Fort Worth Report.
• Midland County (MCAD): seven candidates are running for three seats in the district's first contested board race, according to NewsWest 9.

Other counties with more than 75,000 people have these seats too. Check your county elections office for your sample ballot.

Why do appraisal district board races matter to homeowners?

The board's decisions shape how your value is set even though it doesn't set it directly. In Tarrant County, the board voted 5-4 in September to keep reappraising homes every other year, and the Fort Worth Report says it can't revisit that until 2028. In Collin County, the Allen Record reports the district appraises about 449,500 accounts for 76 taxing jurisdictions, certified taxable value rose 4.43% to $280.17 billion, and the proposed 2026 budget is $33.9 million.

When and where can I vote in the appraisal district election?

Early voting ended Friday, Oct. 30. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, and polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The races are at the bottom of the general election ballot, and candidates don't have a party label. Winners take office Jan. 1, 2027, according to the Allen Record.

How do I lower my property taxes no matter who wins?

The most direct step is still protesting your value with your appraisal district.

• Check your exemptions now so they carry into 2027.
• Watch for your 2027 notice of appraised value in the spring.
• File on time. May 15, 2027 is a Saturday, so the deadline is Monday, May 17, 2027, or 30 days after your notice is delivered, whichever is later.
• Bring evidence: sales of similar homes, repair photos and contractor estimates.

See our Harris County property tax protest guide, our Collin County property tax protest guide and our Tarrant County property tax protest guide. You can file yourself, or protest with TaxDrop. Here's how a Texas property tax consultant works.

Sources: Texas Tax Code Chapter 6; Harris Central Appraisal District, Board Election Information; Travis Central Appraisal District, Ballot Set for 2026 Board of Directors Election; San Antonio Report; Allen Record; Fort Worth Report; NewsWest 9; Texas Tax Code §41.44.