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Bonham sets May 2 elections; officials flag county staffing and equipment challenges
Summary
The Bonham City Council ordered general and special elections for May 2, 2026, approved charter amendment propositions for the ballot and appointed early-voting officials — while staff warned that Fannin County told jurisdictions it will not contract election services for the 2026 even-year cycle and that only two certified equipment providers exist in Texas.
The Bonham City Council on Feb. 9 approved orders calling a general election on May 2, 2026 for Council Wards 1 and 5 and a special election the same day for Ward 4 and the unexpired mayoral term. The council also approved an ordinance to place proposed charter amendments on the May ballot and appointed the City Secretary and judges to run early voting and ballot counting.
City Manager Sean Pate said the city followed a Charter Review Committee recommendation and “we are required by Charter to review the Charter for possible amendments every 7 years,” and the council approved which propositions will appear on the ballot. The council designated Bonham City Hall, 514 Chestnut Street, as the polling place and set extended-hour early voting for April 23 and April 28 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sarah Osburn, Director of Administrative Services, told the council the County’s new elections administrator informed jurisdictions the county will not contract with political subdivisions for the 2026 even‑year elections. Osburn said only two certified election-equipment providers are licensed in Texas and neither rents equipment, creating potential operational and equipment challenges for cities running their own elections. She also said Bonham Independent School District is required by law to contract with the City, and staff expect to administer the BISD election concurrently with the city’s May calendar.
Mayor John Burnett recessed the council into executive session to consult the city attorney about hosting polling places for other governmental entities; the council reconvened and took no action. Council members voted unanimously on all election-related motions.
The city appointed the City Secretary as Early Voting Clerk and named Galen Bennet presiding judge (with Linda Vaught as alternate). The council said staff will return with any further operational details necessary to run the May 2 elections.
