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
Sandra Bryant
Democrat IncumbentAbout Sandra
Bryant is an Army Reserve veteran who spent six years on the Hays CISD school board before Buda elected her JP in 2022 — and she's on call around the clock to rule on unexpected deaths, because Hays County has no medical examiner.
Out of her court she runs juvenile diversion and life-skills programs, co-founded a nonprofit that mentors and funds scholarships for graduating seniors, and offers free notary service. The Hays County Law Enforcement Association endorses her.
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: