Your Appraisal Board Is Still on the Ballot. December 12.

The people who oversee your property appraisals answer to you now.

Gregg County voters proved it on November 3.

Two of those seats are not settled. The runoff is December 12. Do not sit this one out.

Plain-English Summary

Since 2024, Texas counties with 75,000 people or more elect three members of the appraisal district board. Gregg County is one of them. On November 3, voters picked a new director for Place 1. Place 2 and Place 3 had no majority winner, so the top two in each go to a runoff. The state set local runoffs for Saturday, December 12, 2026.

Low turnout runoffs are where a few hundred votes decide who sits at the table that oversees how your home is valued.

Why It Matters

Your appraisal is the starting line for your property tax bill.

The appraisal district does not set your tax rate. Cities, the county, and school boards do that. But the district values your property, and its board hires the chief appraiser, adopts the budget, and governs the office.

For decades, East Texans had no direct vote on that board. Taxing units appointed it. That changed in 2023.

This is the record. Use it.

The Receipt

FACT: Senate Bill 2, passed in the 88th Legislature's Second Called Special Session, created a nine member board for appraisal districts in counties of 75,000 or more. Five are appointed by the taxing units. Three are elected by the voters of the county. The county tax assessor-collector serves ex officio. (Texas Secretary of State, Election Advisory 2023-24; Bill analysis, capitol.texas.gov)

FACT: Elected directors must win by majority, more than 50 percent. If no one clears that, the top two go to a runoff. Candidates run at large, by place, with no party label on the ballot. (SOS Advisory 2023-24)

FACT: The first elected directors were chosen in May 2024 for terms ending December 31, 2026. Starting with this November 2026 general election, directors elected take office January 1, 2027. After this election, the three elected directors draw lots. One serves two years. Two serve four. (SOS Advisory 2023-24)

FACT: The Secretary of State set Saturday, December 12, 2026 as the runoff date for local elections held November 3. Early voting runs Monday, November 30 through Tuesday, December 8. The last day to register or change your address for the runoff is Thursday, November 12. (SOS December 12, 2026 Runoff Election Law Calendar)

DOCUMENTED INFERENCE: Election night results reported by the Longview News-Journal, not yet the official canvass:

• Place 1: Former Longview Councilman Daryl Williams defeated incumbent Mark Smith, 17,478 (64.7%) to 9,536 (35.3%).
• Place 2: Runoff between incumbent Mark Pevey, 11,740 (44.94%), and Gordon Northcutt, 9,912 (37.95%). Dustin Smith received 4,470 (17.11%).
• Place 3: Runoff between Dan Sorey, 12,124 (47.6%), and incumbent Justin Hood, 7,652 (30.04%). Luis Castanon received 5,693 (22.35%).

(Longview News-Journal, November 3, 2026)

NEEDS AUTHENTICATION: The Gregg County Appraisal District board orders and canvasses its own election. Confirm the official canvass, the runoff order, and the early voting locations with the county elections office at greggcountyvotes.gov before you go.

What I Say

RYAN STATEMENT: I am sitting at home building a business and worrying about East Texas. This is the kind of thing I worry about.

Folks complain about property taxes every day. I do too. Then a runoff comes around in December, two weeks after Thanksgiving, and almost nobody shows up.

That is how the wolves win. Not with a fight. With an empty polling place.

You asked for this vote. Austin finally gave it to you. Now use it.

I am not telling you who to vote for in these races. Look at the candidates. Ask them how they will keep the district accountable to you. Ask them about the budget. Ask them how they will treat the homeowner who walks in with a protest.

Then go vote.

What This Does Not Prove

It does not prove any candidate did anything wrong.

It does not prove the appraisal district has mis-valued anyone's property.

It does not prove your taxes will go up or down based on who wins. The board does not set tax rates.

Election night numbers are unofficial until the canvass.

What It Does Prove

It proves Gregg County voters now have a direct say in who governs the appraisal district.

It proves voters are paying attention. One incumbent lost outright. Two more were forced into runoffs.

It proves December 12 matters. Two of three elected seats are still open.

Same county. Your vote. Your board.

The Bottom Line

Register by November 12 if you need to. Vote early November 30 through December 8. Or vote Saturday, December 12.

Show me the evidence. Then show up.

The record does not lie, and neither does a turnout number.

Do not threaten anyone. Do not harass anyone. Do not contact anyone in my name. Read it. Share it. Send receipts, evidence, witnesses. Put eyes on the record.