Know Your Officials - League of Women Voters of South Central Texas

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Understanding the roles and responsibilities of elected officials is essential to making informed voting decisions. From federal representatives in Washington, D.C., to state leaders in Austin, to local county officials who directly impact our daily lives, each position plays a distinct role in serving Texans. This page provides descriptions of elected positions at the federal, state, and county levels, helping you better understand what these various jobs entail. When you know the responsibilities and duties of each office, you can make more informed choices at the ballot box about who will best serve your community and priorities.

County Clerk: Four-year term. A County Clerk in the state of Texas serves as clerk and custodian of records for the Commissioners Court, Constitutional County Court and Statutory County Courts; acts as a recorder and custodian of important public records, including all bonds, deeds, birth and death certificates, assumed names and livestock brands, ensuring that records are maintained in a secure, archival manner; issues marriage licenses; and in some counties, servees as chief elections officer.

County Commissioner: Four-year term. A county commissioner in the state of Texas is elected to the County Commissioners Court to conduct the general business of the county. The Court consists of the county judge, elected at-large, and four commissioners, elected by geographical precinct. Each commissioner is typically responsible for building and maintaining county roads and bridges within the precinct. Commissioners adopt the county budget and the county tax rate; approve all budgeted purchases of the county; set all salaries and benefits for county employees; authorize all county contracts; provide and maintain all county buildings and facilities; and fill vacancies in elective and appointed county offices.

County Judge: Four-year term. A Texas County Judge acts as the chief executive and judicial officer, presiding over the Commissioners Court (the county’s legislative body) and handling administrative duties like budgeting, setting tax rates, and managing emergency response, while also presiding over specific court cases (probate, small civil, appeals) and serving as the county’s public face, with roles varying by county population.

County Treasurer: Four-year term. The County Treasurer in the state of Texas receives and deposits all county revenues; acts as chief liaison between the county and depository banks; disburses funds upon the order of the Commissioners Court; records receipts and expenditures and reconciles bank statements; may prepare the payroll; may be designated as the county’s investment officer and required to submit regular reports on county finance to the members of the Commissioners Court; may also act as the county’s human resources officer, employee benefits coordinator, risk manager and insurance coordinator; and may have some audit responsibilities in counties with no Auditor.

District Clerk: Four-year term. The District Clerk in the state of Texas serves as clerk and custodian of all records for the District Courts; indexes and secures all court records, collects filing fees, and handles funds held in litigation and money awarded to minors; coordinates the jury panel selection process; may process passport applications; and manages court registry funds.

Justice of the Peace: Four-year term. A justice of the peace in the state of Texas presides over the justice court in a geographical area (precinct) in cases involving misdemeanors, small civil disputes, landlord/tenant disputes, conducts inquests, and may perform marriage ceremonies. The term of office is four years.

Governor: Four-year term. The governor is the chief executive of the state. The governor appoints members to boards and commissions; appoints statewide executive officials, and, when vacancies occur, state judges and district attorneys; delivers the State of the State address; provides guidance to the legislature; calls special sessions of the legislature and sets the agenda. The governor can veto legislation (including a line-item veto on appropriations), sign legisla-
tion, or allow it to become law without their signature. Current salary: $153,750.

Lieutenant Governor: Four-year term. The lieutenant governor is powerful because of their position as president of the Texas Senate, where they appoint the chairs and vice-chairs of committees; appoint senators to committees; assign bills to committees; and control the Senate’s agenda. The lieutenant governor is also a member of several commissions and boards, and serves as governor in the governor’s absence. The salary is that of a State Senator when serving as
President of the Texas Senate and that of the Governor when serving in that capacity.

Attorney General: Four-year term. The attorney general is the chief law enforcement officer of the state; represents the state and state officials in legal matters; issues opinions; oversees collection of child support; administers the crime victims compensation fund; enforces the open records/open meetings acts; approves public bond issues; and enforces consumer regulations. Current salary: $153,750.

Commissioner of Agriculture: Four-year term. The agriculture commissioner’s principal job is promoting Texas’ agricultural products. In that capacity, the commissioner facilitates trade and marketing of agricultural products; regulates weights and measures; regulates pesticide use and application; certifies organically produced products; administers the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs; provides financial help to farmers; and helps solve issues related to natural disasters. Current annual salary: $140,938.

Commissioiner of General Land Office: Four-year term. As head of the General Land Office, the commissioner manages state lands, including oil and gas properties (which supply funds to the Permanent School Fund) and the Alamo. The commissioner chairs the Veterans Land Board, which administers programs for Texas veterans, and is responsible for environmental protection of Texas’ coast. Other state boards chaired include the School Land Board and the Coastal Coordination Advisory Committee. Current annual salary: $140, 938.

Comptroller of Public Accounts: Four-year term. The comptroller is the chief financial officer of the state; collects state taxes and fees; pays the state’s bills; provides revenue estimates to the legislature; certifies the budget; reports the condition of the state’s finances; and provides economic development assistance to local governments and private businesses. Current annual salary: $153,750.

Railroad Commissioner: Six-year term. The Railroad Commissioner is one of the three-member Texas Railroad Commission. The commission regulates the oil and gas industry, gas utilities, pipeline safety, safety in the liquefied petroleum gas industry and surface coal and uranium mining. It has no regulatory authority concerning railroads. Current annual salary: $140,937.

Chief Justice, Texas Supreme Court: Six-year term. The Texas Supreme Court is the court of last resort for civil matters in Texas. This Court includes a Chief Justice and eight justices, each of which is elected by voters of the entire state. This court issues final decisions on civil and juvenile appeals; issues certain
orders to governmental officials to act and individuals to appear before the court; and has jurisdiction over orders or judgments of trial courts if the Supreme Court determines them important to the Texas legal system. Current annual salary range: $210,000–$264,600.

Justice, Texas Supreme Court: Six-year term. The Texas Supreme Court is the court of last resort for civil matters in Texas. This Court includes a Chief Justice and eight justices, each of which is elected by voters of the entire state. This court issues final decisions on civil and juvenile appeals; issues certain orders to governmental officials to act and individuals to appear before the court; and has jurisdiction over orders or judgments of trial courts if the Supreme Court determines them important to the Texas legal system. Current annual salary range: $168,000 to $201,600

Judge, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals: Six-year term. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is Texas’ highest court for criminal cases. The Court includes a Presiding Judge and eight Judges, each of which is elected by voters of the entire state. The court must review all cases in which the death penalty is assessed. It also exercises discretionary review in other criminal cases and issues rulings about wrongful imprisonment. Current annual salary range: $168,000 to $201,600.

Chief Justice and Justice, Court of Appeals: Six-year term. There are 14 Courts of Appeals in Texas located in 14 cities throughout the state. Each of these Courts includes a Chief Justice and at least two other Justices. These Courts hear appeals on civil and criminal cases from lower courts in their districts. Current annual salary range: $154,000 to $187,800.

Texas House of Representatives: Two-year term. The Texas House of Representatives has 150 seats and is the lower chamber of the Texas Legislature. Duties include passing bills on public policy that become the law for the State of Texas; setting levels for state spending by passing a two-year budget; voting to raise and lower taxes for the state; and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes of bills.

Texas State Board of Education: Four year term. The fifteen-member board decides curriculum, standards, student testing, special education programs, and textbooks for Texas public schools. It also oversees the Permanent School Fund. current annual salary: Member of the Boarddo not receive pay, but are reimbursed for expenses to attend meetings.

Texas Senate: Four-year term. The Texas State Senate is the upper chamber of the Texas State Legislature. Alongside the Texas House of Representatives, it forms the legislative branch of the Texas state government and works alongside the governor of Texas to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Texas State Senate include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

President: The president of the United States is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president directs the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces.

Vice-President: The vice president of the United States is the second-highest ranking office in the executive branch[8][9] of the U.S. federal government, after the president of the United States, and ranks first in the presidential line of succession. The vice president is also an officer in the legislative branch, as the president of the Senate. In this capacity, the vice president is empowered to preside over the United States Senate, but may not vote except to cast a tie-breaking vote.[

U.S. Senator: Six-year term. One of two members of the U.S. Senate from Texas. With the U.S. House, the Senate makes laws; raises revenues, appropriates federal funds and manages the federal debt; regulates commerce among states and with other nations; declares war and maintains and regulates the military; establishes the federal court system and defines federal crimes; and directs the census every ten years. The Senate has the exclusive power to advise and consent on presidential nominations to executive and judicial offices, to ratify U.S. treaties, and to try impeachments. Current annual salary: $174,000.

U.S. House of Representatives: Two-year term. The United States House of Representatives has 435 seats and is the lower chamber of the US Congress. Representatives serve a specific geographic area of a state; They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on bills that become law for the United States; creating and voting on a two-year budget; and overseeing the administration of public policy by serving on committees.

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