GAINESVILLE, Texas — Gainesville residents will elect three city council members Saturday, filling contested seats in Ward 1, Ward 3, and Ward 5 on a ballot that also includes two uncontested races. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. at the Gainesville Civic Center, 311 S. Weaver, the single polling location for all six wards.
Ward 1 (Special Election): Linda Lewis vs. Aaron Smith
Ward 1 is holding a special election after former councilmember Hayley Hughes resigned in mid-2025. The Gainesville City Council voted 4-3 in July 2025 to appoint Linda Lewis, a Ward 1 resident, to fill the vacancy. Aaron Smith, also a Ward 1 resident, was the other candidate considered for the appointment. The winner Saturday will serve the remainder of Hughes' unexpired term.
Ward 3 (General Election): Randy Jones vs. Michael Nelson Hill
Incumbent Randy Jones faces a rematch against Michael Nelson Hill, the candidate Jones defeated in May 2024 by one vote — 25 to 24. Jones is seeking his first full elected term. Hill previously held the Ward 3 seat before that race. According to Gainesville Daily Register reporting, the 2024 result went to a canvass before Jones was certified the winner.
Ward 5 (General Election): Martin Phillips vs. Lynette Scruggs
Ward 5 will have a new permanent representative after Saturday. Martin Phillips held the seat before stepping down in June 2023. Jeff Johnson was later appointed and won the seat unopposed in 2024 before departing the council in early 2026. The council appointed Angel Gonzalez as interim on April 10, 2026, to serve until the May 2 winner is sworn in.
Uncontested races
Ward 6 council member Mary Jo Dollar, who serves as Mayor Pro Tem, and Municipal Judge Chris Cypert are both running unopposed and will be certified without a contest.
Issues before the new council
The council has been working through several significant items in 2026. A charter review commission — the first such review in nearly 50 years, according to city records — has been examining potential amendments to Gainesville's city charter, including a proposal to move municipal elections from May to November. That proposal split the commission in a tied vote at its second meeting in March. The commission's recommended amendments are expected to go before voters at a future election.
On April 10, the council adopted a Parks and Trails Master Plan focused on improving existing parks and building a network of walking and biking trails across the city. The council also approved the FY2026 budget last fall with projected revenues of $49.3 million and expenditures of $52.3 million.
Beginning this year, all City Council meetings stream live on the city's YouTube channel at @TXGainesville, with archived video available at gainesville.tx.us.
How to vote
All Gainesville voters cast ballots at the Gainesville Civic Center, 311 S. Weaver Street, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 2. Sample ballots and election notices are posted at gainesville.tx.us/436/Election-Notices. Contact City Secretary Diana Loch at (940) 668-4500 with questions.