November 3, 2026, General Election 

The City of Keene will hold its General Election on November 3, 2026, for the purpose of electing a Mayor, Council Members in Place I, Place 3, and Ward II for a term of two years. Candidate forms and resources can be accessed on the Candidate Packet page.

View Campaign Finance Reports from past elections

Johnson County Voting Precincts Map, as of January 2026

Keene City Council Ward Map, updated 2026 (Ord. No. 2026-695) 
*Keene Voters do not need to re-register to vote due to the ward boundary changes. If you have moved or changed your personal information (such as name), please contact the Johnson County Elections Office to update your information. Please visit the Voter Information page for more information.

Notices and Information


Candidates for the November 3 General Election

Name Race Application Approved
Johnny R. Shaw (incumbent) Council Member, Ward II 8/3/2026
Bob Chapman (incumbent) Council Member, Place 3 8/3/2026
Troy Smith (incumbent) Council Member, Place I 8/7/2026
Johanna Franco Penick Mayor 8/10/2026
Crissy Barajas Mayor (withdrawn 8/17/26)
Council Member, Place I		 8/12/2026
8/17/2026
Phillip Jackson Mayor 8/17/2026
Rob Foster Mayor (withdrawn 8/24/26) 8/12/2026
Samantha Gillin Mayor (withdrawn 8/24/26) 8/12/2026

The filing period for running for a place on Council has closed. This is NOT the order in which the candidates will appear on the ballot. They are listed in order of which their application was received. Please view the Sample Ballot for more information.


General Election Information

Candidate Qualifications
  • Be a citizen of the United States. 
  • Be 18 years of age or older on the commencement of the term to be filled at the election. 
  • Be a resident citizen of the City of Keene for a period of not less than 12 months immediately preceding their election or a resident of any of the territory not formerly within the corporate limits of the City, but which is annexed under the provisions of the Charter, for 12 months preceding their election.
  • Be a qualified voter of the State of Texas. 
  • Must NOT have been finally convicted of a felony (unless pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disabilities).
  • Must satisfy any other requirement prescribed by law for the office.

Qualifications to run for City Council, per the Keene City Charter:

  • Be a registered voter of the City.
  • For election to a ward, have resided in the City and the ward in which he or she represents for one year before the date of election and continue residency in the City and the ward in which he or she represents during the term of office.
  • For election to a place, have resided in the City for one year before the date of the election and continue residency in the City during the term of office.
  • Must not hold more than one public elective office.
  • Must not hold an appointed office of the City excluding boards, committees, and commissions.
  • Be at least 21 years of age.
  • Must not currently be subject to a finding of mental incompetence by a final judgment of a court.
  • Must not have been finally convicted of a felony from which the person has not been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disabilities.
  • No candidate may file for more than one City office per election.

Johnson County Elections


City of Keene 2026 General Election Calendar