This sample ballot may not include all local party roles or measures on the official ballot. The listed candidates serve only within their party, and the propositions do not change the law.

2026 Texas General Election

2026 Texas Primary Election

Democrat

Republican

2026 Texas Primary Runoff

Sylvia Holmes

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Walter Ley

Sylvia Holmes has a bachelor s degree in marketing from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from the University of Alabama. She lives in Austin, Texas.

Sylvia Holmes - Ballotpedia

Sylvia is an associate director of legal services for students at the University of Texas at Austin. She previously worked as an attorney for students at Texas State University. 

Sylvia is currently a judge for Precinct 3 of the Travis County Justice of the Peace. She was first elected in 2018.

Justice of the Peace

Has over 18 years of experience in small claims and misdemeanor criminal law.

Worked as the Associate Director of Legal Services for Students at the University of Texas at Austin.

Worked as an attorney for students at Texas State University.

Legal Experience

As a judge, created a Jury Selection Video Series to assist individuals representing themselves in court.

Supports providing online options for traffic ticket dismissals.

Judicial Administration

Aims to provide clear instructions and accessible hours to make court less frightening.

Judicial Philosophy

Supports Just Cause labor protections for court employees.

Ethics & Conduct

Volunteers with Achieving Community Together in San Marcos.

Volunteers with Mobile Loaves & Fishes, an organization that provides food, clothing, and shelter to the homeless.

Volunteers with the Sustainable Food Center.

Volunteers with the Junior League of Austin.

Community Involvement

- Justices of the Peace oversee Justice Courts, trial courts for civil cases up to $20,000, and misdemeanor cases punishable only by fine. They also perform marriages, issue warrants, conduct preliminary hearings, and serve as notaries.
- Texas has 835 Justice Courts, each presided over by a single judge. Every county has between one and eight precincts based on the county's population, each with its own Justice Court.
- Justices of the Peace are elected through partisan, precinct-wide election to four-year terms. 
- Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, have been a Texas resident for at least 12 consecutive months, a district resident for at least six consecutive months, and registered to vote in that precinct.
- The annual salary for Justices of the Peace ranges from $19,207 to $151,805 and is by the county's Commissioners Court.


Presides over civil cases and fine-only misdemeanor cases.