Alright, so you know how Texas elections work, right? We've got these primary elections coming up on March 3rd, and early voting kicks off Tuesday. This is your chance, as a Republican or Democrat voter, to pick who'll represent your party in the big November general election. It's a pretty direct way to shape who makes decisions for us. But here’s the kicker: even though these primaries let us have a real say, hardly anyone actually shows up. Data from the Secretary of State's office tells us that less than one-fifth of registered Texans bothered to vote in recent primaries. That's a low turnout, and it means a small group ends up deciding who gets to the general election. You might think, 'Why bother with local stuff?' Well, county offices are a big deal, and they touch your life in ways you probably don't even realize. We're talking about a lot of names on the ballot, from federal roles down to state and, yes, those important local county offices. Unlike school board or city council races, which are usually nonpartisan, county elections are partisan affairs. These elected county leaders do a lot: they run our local elections, they put state and federal laws into action right here at home, and they deliver crucial public services, especially if you live outside of city limits. Every single one of these elected county positions serves a four-year term. Feeling a bit lost trying to keep up? No worries. Let's break down what most of these county offices actually do, focusing on the real-world impact they have. **The Commissioners Court: Your County's Boardroom** Think of the Commissioners Court as the county's main governing body. It's like a city council for the county. This court includes the county judge and a handful of commissioners. They set the county's budget and decide its tax rate – yep, that affects your wallet. They also approve county contracts, which could be anything from road repairs to big construction projects. And remember those bond elections that fund new roads or buildings? The Commissioners Court calls for those. These folks also play a huge role in how we vote. They appoint election judges who run our polling locations in every precinct. They're also responsible for the official count of all local and state votes. Plus, they can decide to have the county clerk or an elections administrator handle voter registration, rather than the county tax assessor-collector. That's a big decision about who manages your right to vote. Here’s a key difference: city governments often have more freedom to create their own local policies. Counties? Not so much. They often have to lobby the state Legislature in Austin, asking for permission to expand or change what they can do. It's a limitation that shapes local public policy. **The County Judge: More Than Just a Gavel** Don't let the title fool you; a county judge doesn't necessarily need to be a lawyer or have a legal background. They're basically the mayor of the Commissioners Court, running the meetings. Their power really comes into play during emergencies. The county judge is the boss for local emergency management. They can issue disaster declarations, asking for help from state or federal agencies and putting emergency rules into place, all within what the law allows. This gives them serious authority during things like hurricanes or floods. However, here's the legal check-and-balance: they need the support of the Commissioners Court to keep those emergency declarations and measures going. It's a shared responsibility, protecting your rights and safety. In smaller counties, the county judge also acts as the chief budget officer. And, yes, they *can* actually act as a judge. They might preside over misdemeanor cases, small civil disputes, and appeals from Justice of the Peace courts. So, depending on your county, they might literally be making legal decisions that affect you. **County Commissioners: Potholes and Public Services** Every county in Texas has four commissioners, each representing a different precinct or district. They sit on the Commissioners Court with the county judge. Their main job, the one you'll probably notice most, is building and maintaining roads in their specific precinct. Got a pothole? Call your commissioner! These commissioners are elected in staggered terms. This year, you'll see commissioners for precincts two and four on the ballot across the state. **County Treasurer: Mind Your Money** The county treasurer is essentially the county's chief financial officer. They look after all the county's funds. They work with banks to deposit county revenue, and they hand out money as the Commissioners Court tells them to. They also keep track of all expenses and funds. In some counties, if there isn't a dedicated county auditor, the treasurer might even handle payroll, human resources, or investment duties. It's all about making sure your tax dollars are managed correctly and legally. **County Clerk: Keeper of Records, Chief of Elections** Your county clerk has a pretty important administrative role. They keep all sorts of official records and handle tasks for both county courts and the Commissioners Court. This means things like birth and death certificates, business names, marriage licenses, and even taking depositions for legal cases. If you've ever needed an official document, chances are the county clerk's office was involved. In most counties, the clerk also doubles as the chief elections officer. So, they're the person making sure elections run smoothly, from voter registration to counting ballots. That's a fundamental part of our democratic process. **Justice of the Peace: Your Local Judge** Justices of the Peace (JPs) run justice courts. These are often your first stop for minor legal issues. They hear cases for traffic tickets and those less serious "Class C misdemeanors," like public intoxication or a minor assault without injury, where the penalty is usually just a fine. JPs also handle small civil cases, truancy cases (when kids miss too much school), tenant disputes, and small claims. They can even perform your wedding ceremony! These courts are where many citizens first interact with the legal system. **District Clerk: Courts of Record** While the county clerk handles records for county courts, the district clerk does the same for district courts. These are the courts that handle more serious stuff – felony criminal cases and bigger civil disputes. The district clerk keeps all those records, collects filing fees, manages funds involved in litigation, and helps coordinate jury selections. They even process passport applications. They ensure the procedural integrity of our higher courts. **County Surveyor: Mapping Our Land, Fading Role** A county surveyor's job is all about land. They maintain, record, and check land survey records, plats, and field notes. This keeps property records accurate. They can also do private surveying and act as a link to keep state-recognized boundary records correct. Interestingly, Texas has less public land than most states, and because of that, the role of county surveyor has been fading. Many counties, either through state law or local votes, have gotten rid of this position. It shows how even deeply rooted legal offices can change over time. **Find Your Info** Feeling ready to cast your vote? Many counties, like Travis, Tarrant, and Bexar, have special "current election" sections on their websites. You'll find polling locations, wait times, sample ballots, and ways to check your registration. Nonpartisan groups, like the League of Women Voters in Houston, also offer great local voter guides. You can always check your registration at votetexas.gov and find more about voting rules on the Texas Tribune's voter guide. For the nitty-gritty on specific candidates, what their platforms are, and debate recaps, local news organizations like KUT News, San Antonio Report, Fort Worth Report, and the Houston Chronicle are your best bet. Your vote in these primary elections for county offices really matters. These are the people making daily decisions that shape our communities, our legal system, and our access to public services. Don't let someone else decide for you.