DeSoto ISD School ๐๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐ก๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐
The DeSoto Independent School District will hold a General Election on May 2, 2026, for School Board Trustee positions Place 3, Place 4, and Place 5.
Candidate Eligibility for Public Office (141.001, TEC)
- US Citizen
- 18 years of age or older
- Resided continuously in the state for 12 months prior to the filing deadline
- Resided continuously in the school district for 6 months prior to the filing deadline
- Must be a registered voter in the territory elected from prior to the filing deadline
- No final felony conviction
- No final judgment indicating: Totally mentally incapacitated or Partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote
Candidate Filing Details
The window to file for a place on the ballot is Wednesday, January 14, 2026, through Friday, February 13, 2026.
Interested candidates may file for a place on the ballot by submitting a completed and notarized Candidate Application delivered in person.
The school district will make available a packet of information that contains the application and details to acquaint candidates with applicable requirements for the school districtโs election.
DeSoto ISD School Board Trustee Candidate Packet for the May 2, 2026, Joint Election is available for pick up - beginning Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at the DeSoto ISD Instructional Service Center (ISC). Please see Yulonda Smith, Senior Executive Assistant, Board of Trustees or Gloria Castillo, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools.
Patrons may request an electronic copy in a .pdf file by emailing [email protected].
The filing period for DeSoto residents for a place on the ballot: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 through Friday, February 13, 2026, from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.
All applications must be received by the filing deadline, 5:00 p.m. on February 13, 2026.
In-Person Filing
Location: DeSoto ISD Administration Bldg., 200 E. Belt Line Rd., DeSoto, Texas 75115
Submit to: Yulonda Smith, Senior Executive Assistant, Board of Trustees or Gloria Castillo, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools
Ballot Drawing
If needed, a date and time will be set and communicated to all candidates as well as posted on the DeSoto ISD website.
Key Dates Leading Up to the May 2, 2026 Election:
January 1, 2026 First day to apply for a ballot by mail using Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM) or Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)
January 14, 2026 First day to pick up DeSoto ISD Candidate Handbook at DeSoto ISD Administration Building
January 15, 2026 First day to File for a Place on the Ballot.
February 13, 2026 Last day to File for a Place on the Ballot for the general election
April 2, 2026 Last day to Register to Vote for the May 2, 2026 general election
April 20, 2026 First day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance
April 20, 2026 Last day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked)
April 28, 2026 Last day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance
May 2, 2026 Election Day
2026 - General Election for Trustees, Places 3, Place 4 and Place 5 - Saturday, May 2, 2026
Place 1 Cynthia Watson Banks - Term Expires: May, 2028
Place 2 Chasiti McKissic - Term Expires: May, 2028
Place 3 Karen Lacy - Term Expires: May, 2026
Place 4 James (JD) Durham - Term Expires: May, 2026
Place 5 Abe C. Cooper, Jr. - Term Expires: May, 2026
Place 6 Eboni Mitchell - Term Expires: May, 2027
Place 7 Traci McNairy - Term Expires: May, 2027
For questions or more information email: [email protected].