Waxahachie council orders May 2 elections and places two charter amendments on the ballot

The Waxahachie City Council approved an ordinance ordering the general election on May 2, 2026 for at-large council places 1, 2 and 3 and separately ordered a special election that will place two proposed charter amendments before voters on the same date.

Amber, a city staffer, told the council the general election will likely run as a joint election with Ellis County and that county vote centers and mobile voting will be used; the city will handle legal postings and administrative duties. Amber said officials will present a joint-elections contract for council approval if the number of participating entities affects the city’s portion of the cost.

Amber described the two charter propositions that will appear on the special-election ballot: the first would amend the city charter to elect a mayor citywide rather than have the mayor chosen from among the regular council members; the second would change council members’ terms from two years to three years.

A council member moved to approve the ordinances; the motions were seconded and the council approved both measures by voice vote. Council discussion included a question about whether calling the election would preclude later consideration of limited rules for political signs at polling places; city staff (Terry) said adopting new limitations later would still apply to the election and that calling the election does not trigger that change by itself.

The council did not set or estimate the city’s final share of election costs at the meeting; Amber said that portion will be determined when the joint-election contract is brought back to the council for approval.