Mayoral election process and city charter in New Braunfels Texas

The recent mayoral election in New Braunfels has highlighted a significant conflict between the city's charter and the Texas Constitution. The city charter stipulates that the mayoral candidate with the most votes wins, even without a majority. However, the Texas Constitution mandates a majority vote for offices with terms exceeding two years. Given that the mayor's term is three years, this discrepancy has led to legal challenges.u

 

In the May 2, 2026 election, Michael French secured 49.18% of the vote, while Neal Linnartz received 38.25%. Since no candidate achieved a majority, a runoff election is now required. City Attorney Valeria Acevedo acknowledged the oversight, emphasizing the need to align local practices with state law. The city is working diligently to schedule the runoff and ensure compliance with legal standards.

 

This situation underscores the importance of regularly reviewing and updating local governance documents to prevent conflicts with state regulations. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about the upcoming runoff and participate actively in the democratic process.