At its May 1st meeting, the Parker County Republican Party Executive Committee passed a resolution in strong support of implementing partisan local elections, including those for school boards and city and county offices. The resolution underscores the fact that party affiliation in local races would promote transparency, increase voter engagement, and ensure accountability among elected officials.

The resolution emphasizes that requiring candidates to declare their political party affiliation would make it easier for voters to understand where candidates stand on key issues. In many cases, voters struggle to assess local candidates due to limited access to their policy views or governing philosophies. By identifying with a party, candidates offer voters a clearer picture of their priorities and values — particularly in areas such as education, budgeting, and public safety.

“Incorporating political party identification into local elections provides voters with a tool to better evaluate candidates’ principles and priorities,” the resolution states. “It also aligns local decision-making with broader political values that represent our community.”

Partisan local elections would enhance accountability by tying elected officials to specific platforms and policy approaches. It also suggests that aligning local elections with state and national electoral cycles could improve voter participation and engagement, helping ensure that more citizens have a say in local governance.

The resolution cites states like Alabama, Connecticut, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania — where partisan school board elections are already in place — as successful models.

In addition to encouraging local governing bodies to support the transition, the resolution calls on the 89th Texas Legislative Session to pass enabling legislation. The resolution will be formally submitted to members of the Republican Caucus of the Texas House of Representatives, as well as to county and municipal officials across Parker County.

The resolution passed unanimously with no dissent at the May 1st meeting. This signals a strong desire from local Republican voters to increase transparency and alignment in local elections, and it adds momentum to a growing conversation across Texas about how local leaders are chosen.