Filing Opens for Royse City, RCISD Seats Ahead of May 2 Election

The formal candidate filing period for Royse City municipal offices and Royse City Independent School District school board seats opened Jan. 14 and will run through Feb. 13, 2026. Voters will decide those contested seats in the May 2, 2026 municipal election.

Up for election are City Council Places or Districts 2, 4 and 6 and RCISD School Board Districts 1 and 2. The current council members holding those seats are Clay Ellis, Matt Wheatley and Tom Crowley. The filing window initiates the official campaign calendar for anyone considering a run, civic groups tracking local leadership races and voters monitoring choices that will shape policy in Royse City and parts of southern Rockwall County.

The openings carry practical consequences for municipal governance. City Council decisions on zoning, permitting, property tax rates and infrastructure investments have accelerated in recent years as Royse City manages growth pressures. New or returning council members could affect the pace and priorities of development approvals, budget allocations and code enforcement, all of which translate into direct impacts on property owners, businesses and neighborhood quality of life.

School board contests also carry high stakes. RCISD trustees set policy on curriculum, school finance, facility planning and superintendent oversight. Seats in Districts 1 and 2 will influence decisions about classroom resources, bond proposals and district-level strategic planning that affect teachers, parents and students across the district.

Prospective candidates should note the fixed filing window: petitions and declarations must be submitted between Jan. 14 and Feb. 13, 2026. The window serves as the statutory gateway to the ballot and starts the formal period for campaign organization, fundraising compliance and public engagement. Incumbency is a factor in these races; Clay Ellis, Matt Wheatley and Tom Crowley currently occupy the council seats that will be on the ballot, but the filing period will determine which names appear to voters in May.

For voters and community organizations, the next six weeks are a critical time to review candidate filings, request forums or debates and clarify policy priorities. Local civic engagement in candidate vetting can shape electoral choices and influence the governing agenda that follows the May election.

As filing closes Feb. 13, attention will shift to candidate qualifications, campaign filings and voter outreach ahead of the May 2 election. Residents seeking to follow developments should watch for finalized candidate lists and announced forums, and mark local election deadlines on their calendars to participate in the process.