2026 Voter Resources

• Candidates for Mayor
  • Kaylynn Paxson
  • David Ainsworth, Sr.
  • Paulette Guajardo
  • Gil Hernandez
  • Chelise Hyatt
  • John Calkusic
  • Dave Heasley 
• Candidates for At-Large (vote for up to 3 candidates for 3 seats)
  • Anthem Powers
  • Merida Nardone Mendoza
  • Scott F. Corliss
  • Sammy Gonzales
  • Zoraida Basaldu
  • Michael Miller
  • Joshua Fraedrick
  • Willie Morales Jr.
  • Mark Scott
  • Nancy Vera
  • Julian Jacob Hernandez
  • Carolyn Vaughn
  • Richard Shelton
  • Dan McQueen
  • Alex Johnston 
• Candidates for District 1
  • John Garcia
  • Tracy McCall
  • Billy Lerma
  • John M. Cudd
  • Vidal “Cowboy” Conde
• Candidates for District 2
  • Selena Guerra
  • Jen Allende
  • Isabel Araiza
  • Laura Flores Commons 
• Candidates for District 3
  • Jessica Villarreal
  • Robert Rocha
  • Eric Cantu
• Candidates for District 4
  • Joshua Anderson
  • Kristina Nelson
  • Stacie Garrecht
  • Dan Herrington 
• Candidates for District 5
  • Joseph Borkouski
  • Kusumakar Sooda
  • David Pena
  • John Hanzalik
  • Merida Gonzalez Forrest
• Read Approved Ordinance for General Election
• See Sample Ballot (Coming Soon)

• Read Approved Ordinance Ordering a Special Election to continue the Crime Control and Prevention District
• See Sample Ballot (Coming Soon)

• Read News Release in English or in Spanish
• Read Approved Ordinance Ordering a Special Election to Consider Petitioners’ Proposed Charter Amendment Regarding Industrial Water Drought Surcharge and Curtailment
• See Sample Ballot (Coming Soon)

The City’s charter is “the fundamental law of the city” and “its relationship to the city is similar to the Constitution and laws of the State”¹. It describes the structure of city government, city administration, powers granted and assumed, and more.  A city charter may not contain any provision inconsistent with the Texas Constitution or state law. Tex. Const. Art. XI §5. 

¹TML Legal: Home Rule Charters

A charter amendment can be proposed by City Council under Texas Local Government Code 9.004: The City Council can propose Charter amendments on its own motion. Charter amendments can also be proposed by a petition: A citizen petition – signed by at least 5% of the number of qualified voters in the City or 20,000 – whichever is smaller.

Any changes to the city charter must be approved by a majority of qualified voters of the city at an election. Local Government Code §9.005.  The charter cannot “be altered, amended or repealed oftener than every two years.” Tex. Const. Art. XI §5.  

The city must follow certain procedures and steps outlined in the Texas Election Code and Local Government Code to order an election for a charter amendment.

“An ordinance is a municipal law adopted by a city to regulate issues within the city’s jurisdiction, such as zoning, public safety, and local commerce” ². A Code of Ordinances is the collection of those municipal laws.  An ordinance may be adopted or amended by a majority vote of the City Council at two council meetings (one vote if an emergency is declared). City of Corpus Christi Charter, Art. II §14. Therefore, the Code of Ordinances is flexible and can respond more quickly to community needs or changes to state laws.

²TML Legal: City Ordinances