The Justice of the Peace runs the court most people actually end up in: evictions, small claims up to $20,000, traffic tickets, and other small offenses. Your JP is chosen only by voters in your part of the county, and does not have to be a lawyer. In Hays County the JP is also who gets called when someone dies unexpectedly, to decide if there's an investigation. Whoever ends up in front of a JP is standing in front of someone your vote put there.
The Democratic candidate
Maggie Hernandez-Moreno
Democrat IncumbentAbout Maggie
Hernandez-Moreno sits in the same JP seat her mother held for twelve years — and since 2016 she's used it to build a program that keeps kids who mess up once from carrying it for life.
Born and raised in San Marcos, she's pushed for court-appointed lawyers for people facing eviction and for plainer, fairer court procedures. She lives in San Marcos with her husband Mario, a local teacher, and their two children.
This is a precinct race — whether it is on your ballot depends on your address. Enter your address in the guide and it will work out your precinct for you.
Where to vote
Hays County uses vote centers — any registered Hays County voter can vote at any open location in the county. Locations and hours by city: