Shelby County Today

November 6, 2025 - Jessie Griffith has resigned as mayor of the city of Joaquin as of the Friday, October 31, council meeting. 

Griffith shares that the duties of mayor, which he has been willing to take on, aren’t without their personal impact as that stress has wrought havoc on his health, and due in part to that he made the decision to resign.

“Last Memorial weekend I had a heart attack,” said Griffith. 

During Griffith’s first term as mayor, he highlights some of the challenges they had involving HAZMAT incidents.

“My first term as mayor we had a lot to happen. We had two major HAZMAT spills,” said Griffith. 

Griffith said the city had to pay for the first one, which involved theft of the city’s diesel that was drained into a creek.

“Another one we were able to get a grant from TCEQ/EPA to pay when they dumped the cooking grease,” said Griffith.

When he was sworn in for his second term, a new public works director had to be named.

“There were a lot of problems found with the pumps and the lines and everything, and then we had violations from the past administrations at TCEQ,” said Griffith. “I made everybody aware of what was going on and I figured it was better to fix the pumps and lines and have the water running inside instead of outside the lines. To me that just makes common sense.”

According to Griffith, violations through TCEQ were pending at one point and rather than incur fines, he says that TCEQ allowed the city to use those funds that would have gone toward fines instead toward repairs of the city infrastructure. Griffith explained that when the city water is down in Joaquin, water is supplied by Logansport and those bills can range from $25,000 to $40,000.

“If we didn’t fix those water lines, we have to contend with those large water bills and we were still going to have to pay TCEQ,” said Griffith. “This way we fix the lines, we don’t have to pay TCEQ any violations and whenever I walked out the other day our [water] bill was $9,000.”

Griffith recalled that someone asked him if he authorized the payment for those repairs, and he said he did and that it only made sense to fix the problem, especially as demonstrated by the reduction in the water bill.

During his time as mayor, Griffith shares that he helped secure the grant for the boat ramp on the Texas side, a new water well for Joaquin, a new $500,000 downtown revitalization grant and a $500,000 grant for groundwater storage, and he helped with Mariana lithium in coming to Joaquin and beginning work on their factory.

“I want to say thank you, to everybody that stood behind me and I think I did a pretty good job, I think I can walk away with my head high and like I told them from the very beginning I don’t do politics and I wasn’t about to start now,” said Griffith.

Griffith wants the community to know that money was spent on making needed repairs in the city.

“I want the people of Joaquin to know what the money went to, that it went to fixing stuff, it was not spent on anything except for repairs to the city of Joaquin.”

The Garrett Family Foundation has got a lot of good things going on and Griffith wants to see that town grow, and he wants to see enough job opportunities made available in Joaquin so that when kids graduate they don’t have to leave to make a living.

“I brought some good stuff into town and my job was to make Joaquin better when I left than when I stepped in and I believe I did that,” said Griffith.

Griffith said he hopes it keeps going and he looks forward to seeing Joaquin continue to grow.

November 4, 2025 - Voting results for the 2025 November Constitutional Amendments election and the City of Center election are all in.

In the City of Center election, incumbents David Chadwick retains his position as Mayor and Howell Howard retains his position as Council Member, District 3. Both races were unopposed. Also, incumbent Joyce Johnson retained her position as Council Member, District 1.

In the Constitutional Amendments, the majority of Shelby County voted to approve all of the amendments. Click here to view the Statewide Results for the Constitutional Amendments.

*Note: Early voting totals include absentee ballots as well. Election results are unofficial until they have been canvassed by the City of Center or the Commissioners' Court.

Ballots Cast in City of Center Election

City of Center Mayor Race (Unopposed)

David Chadwick
Early Voting - 117
Election Day + Early (Total) Voting - 236

City of Center Council Member, District 1

Joyce Johnson
Early Voting - 30
Election Day + Early (Total) Voting - 57

Delbert Jackson
Early Voting - 16
Election Day + Early (Total) Voting - 33

City of Center Council Member, District 3 (Unopposed)

Howell Howard
Early Voting - 35
Election Day + Early (Total) Voting - 66

Ballots Cast in Constitutional Amendment Election

Early - 644
Election Day - 1,377 
Total - 2,021

STATE Proposition 1

"The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the permanent technical institution infrastructure fund and the available workforce education fund to support the capital needs of educational programs offered by the Texas State Technical College System."

Early Voting
For - 443
Against - 198
Election Day + Early (Total) Voting
For - 1,377
Against - 610

STATE Proposition 2
"The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of a tax on the realized or unrealized capital gains of an individual, family, estate, or trust."

Early Voting
For - 544
Against - 96
Election Day + Early (Total) Voting
For - 1,690
Against - 305

STATE Proposition 3
"The constitutional amendment requiring the denial of bail under certain circumstances to persons accused of certain offenses punishable as a felony."

Early Voting
For - 468
Against - 170
Election Day + Early (Total) Voting
For - 1,480
Against - 503

STATE Proposition 4
"The constitutional amendment to dedicate a portion of the revenue derived from state sales and use taxes to the Texas water fund and to provide for the allocation and use of that revenue."

Early Voting
For - 388
Against - 250
Election Day + Early (Total) Voting
For - 1,167
Against - 804

STATE Proposition 5
"The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation tangible personal property consisting of animal feed held by the owner of the property for sale at retail."

Early Voting
For - 532
Against - 106
Election Day + Early (Total) Voting
For - 1,640
Against - 334

STATE Proposition 6
"The constitutional amendment prohibiting the legislature from enacting a law imposing an occupation tax on certain entities that enter into transactions conveying securities or imposing a tax on certain securities transactions."

Early Voting
For - 487
Against - 149
Election Day + Early (Total) Voting
For - 1,472
Against - 473

STATE Proposition 7
"The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a veteran who died as a result of a condition or disease that is presumed under federal law to have been service-connected."

Early Voting
For - 595
Against - 46
Election Day + Early (Total) Voting
For - 1,866
Against - 128

STATE Proposition 8
"The constitutional amendment to prohibit the legislature from imposing death taxes applicable to a decedent's property or the transfer of an estate, inheritance, legacy, succession, or gift."

Early Voting
For - 562
Against - 74
Election Day + Early (Total) Voting
For - 1,774
Against - 217

STATE Proposition 9
"The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation a portion of the market value of tangible personal property a person owns that is held or used for the production of income."

Early Voting
For - 544
Against - 94
Election Day + Early (Total) Voting
For - 1,690
Against - 287

STATE Proposition 10
"The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of the appraised value of an improvement to a residence homestead that is completely destroyed by a fire."

Early Voting
For - 616
Against - 25
Election Day + Early (Total) Voting
For - 1,884
Against - 107

STATE Proposition 11
"The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district of the market value of the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled."

Early Voting
For - 559
Against - 80
Election Day + Early (Total) Voting
For - 1,704
Against - 289

STATE Proposition 12
"The constitutional amendment regarding the membership of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, the membership of the tribunal to review the commission's recommendations, and the authority of the commission, the tribunal, and the Texas Supreme Court to more effectively sanction judges and justices for judicial misconduct."

Early Voting
For - 513
Against - 127
Election Day + Early (Total) Voting
For - 1,600
Against - 353

STATE Proposition 13
"The constitutional amendment to increase the amount of the exemption of residence homesteads from ad valorem taxation by a school district from $100,000 to $140,000."

Early Voting
For - 595
Against - 44
Election Day + Early (Total) Voting
For - 1,813
Against - 184

STATE Proposition 14
"The constitutional amendment providing for the establishment of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, establishing the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund to provide money for research on and prevention and treatment of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related disorders in this state, and transferring to that fund $3 billion from state general revenue."

Early Voting
For - 402
Against - 237
Election Day + Early (Total) Voting
For - 1,230
Against - 746

STATE Proposition 15
"The constitutional amendment affirming that parents are the primary decision makers for their children."

Early Voting
For - 560
Against - 80
Election Day + Early (Total) Voting
For - 1,789
Against - 199

STATE Proposition 16
"The constitutional amendment clarifying that a voter must be a United States citizen."

Early Voting
For - 572
Against - 66
Election Day + Early (Total) Voting
For - 1,819
Against - 178

STATE Proposition 17
"The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the amount of the market value of real property located in a county that borders the United Mexican States that arises from the installation or construction on the property of border security infrastructure and related improvements."

Early Voting
For - 522
Against - 115
Election Day + Early (Total) Voting
For - 1,617
Against - 352

Notice of Special Election
(A viso de elección especial)

To the registered voters of the County of Shelby, Texas:
(A los votantes registrados del Condado de Shelby, Texas):

October 14, 2025 (PDF of Notice) - Notice is hereby given that the polling places listed below will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., November 4, 2025, for voting in a special election to adopt or reject the proposed Constitutional Amendments as submitted by the 89th Legislature, Regular and 2nd Special Session, of the State of Texas.
(Por la presente se notifica que los lugares de votación que se enumeran a continuación estarán abiertos de 7:00 a.m. a 7:00 p.m., 4 de noviembre de 2025, para votar en una elección especial para adoptar o rechazar las Enmiendas Constitucionales propuestas presentadas por la 89ª Legislatura, Sesión Ordinaria y 2ª Sesión Especial, del Estado de Texas.)

On Election Day, voters must vote in the precinct where they are registered to vote.
(El día de las elecciones, los votantes deben votar en el precinto donde están registrados para votar.)

Voting locations for Election Day will be consolidated to the following polling places are:
(Los lugares de votación para el dia de las elecciones se consolidarán en los siguientes lugares de votación:)

• Precinct 1N - First Methodist Church, 211 N. Porter Street, Center
  (Precinto 1N - Primera Iglesia Metodista, 211 N. Porter Street, Centro)
• Precinct 1S - Church of Christ, 110 Hurst Street, Center
  (Precinto 1S - Iglesia de Cristo, 110 Hurst Street, Centro)
• Precinct 1SE - Shelby County Family Life Center, 1426 Shelbyville Street, Center
  (Precinto 1SE - Centro de Vida Familiar del Condado de Shelby, Calle Shelbyville 1426, Centro)
• Precinct 1SW - Center Community House, 423 San Augustine Street, Center
  (Precinto 1SW - Centro Casa Comunitaria, Calle San Agustín 423, Centro)
• Precinct 1W - JOI Ranch, 59198 FM 2026, Tenaha
  (Precinto 1W - Rancho JOI, 59198 FM 2026, Tenaha)
• Precinct 2 - Excelsior School, 11280 St. Hwy 7 W, Center
  (Precinto 2 - Escuela Excelsior, 11280 St Hwy 7 W, Centro)
• Precinct 3 - Campti Pentecostal Church, 6153 FM 414, Center
  (Precinto 3 - Iglesia Pentecostal Campti, 6153 FM 414, Centro)
• Precinct 4 - Lydia Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 14998 FM 139, Shelbyville
  (Precinto 4 - Salón de la Comunidad de la Iglesia Bautista Lydia, 14998 FM 139, Shelbyville)
• Precinct 5 - Word of Faith Outreach Center, 12413 US Hwy 84 E, Joaquin
  (Precinto 5 - Centro de Alcance Palabra de Fe, 12413 Carretera US 84 E, Joaquin)
• Precinct 6 - Dreka Pentecostal Church Fellowship Hall, 1193 FM 2427, Shelbyville
  (Precinto 6 - Dreka Pentecostal Church Fellowship Hall, 1193 FM 2427, Shelbyville)
• Precinct 7 - First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 5030 St. Hwy 87 S, Shelbyville
  (Precinto 7 - First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 5030 St Hwy 87 S, Shelbyville)
• Precinct 8 - First Methodist Church, Schiede Hall, 256 N. George Bowers Drive, Tenaha
  (Precinto 8 - Primera Iglesia Metodista, Sala Schiede, 256 N George Bowers Drive, Tenaha)
• Precinct 9N - BOM Bank Annex, 830 N 1st Street W, Timpson
  (Precinto 9N - Anexo del Banco BOM, 830 N 1st Street, W, Timpson)
• Precinct 9S - Timpson School Gym Foyer, 836 Bear Drive, Timpson
  (Precinto 9S - Timpson School Gym Foyer, 836 Bear Drive, Timpson)

Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted beginning on Monday, October 20, 2025, and ending on Friday, October 31, 2025, at:
(La votación adelantada en persona se Ilevará a cabo a partir del lunes 20 de octubre de 2025 y finalizará el viernes 31 de octubre de 2025 en:)

Main Early Voting Location: Center Community House, 423 San Augustine Street, Center, Texas
(sitio principal de votación adelantada: Centro Casa Comunitaria, 423 San Augustine Street, Centro)

Hours of operation will be Monday through Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with extended hours on Thursday, October 30, through Friday, October 31, 7:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m.
(El horario de atención será de lunes a sábado de 8:00 a.m. a 5:00 p.m. con horario extendido del jueves 30 de octubre al viernes 31 de octubre de 7:00 a.m. a 7:00 p.m.)

Last day to register to vote is October 7, 2025.
(El último día para registrarse para votar es el 7 de octubre de 2025.)

Application for ballot by mail shall be mailed to:
(Las solicitudes para boletas que se votarán adelantada por correo deberán enviarse a):

Shelby County Early Voting Clerk
(Secretario de la votación adelantada del condado de Shelby)
Nancy Adams, Elections Administrator (Administradora de las Elecciones)
200 San Augustine Street, Box 9
Center, TX 75935
Fax: 936-598-3701
Email: nancy.adams@co.shelby.tx.us 
www.co.shelby.tx.us

Applications for Ballot by Mail (ABBM) and Federal Postcard Applications (FPCA), must be received no later than the close of business on October 24, 2025.
(Las solicitudes de boleta por correo (ABBM) y la tarjeta federal postal de Solicitud (FPCA) deberán recibirse más tardar de las horas de negocio el 24 de octubre del 2025.)

Note: If ABBM is faxed or emailed or if an FPCA is faxed; the original application must be received within 4 business days.
(Si ABBM se envía por fax o correo electrónico o si se envía por fax una FPCA; La solicitud original debe ser recibida dentro de los 4 días hábiles.)

Issued this the 2nd day of October 2025.
(Emitido el 2 de octubre de 2025.)

October 14, 2025 - The upcoming November 4, 2025 Ballot Language for the Constitutional Amendment Election. Early voting starts October 20, 2025.

Proposition 1 - SJR 59
"The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the permanent technical institution infrastructure fund and the available workforce education fund to support the capital needs of educational programs offered by the Texas State Technical College System."

Proposition 2 - SJR 18
"The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of a tax on the realized or unrealized capital gains of an individual, family, estate, or trust."

Proposition 3 - SJR 5
"The constitutional amendment requiring the denial of bail under certain circumstances to persons accused of certain offenses punishable as a felony."

Proposition 4 - HJR 7
"The constitutional amendment to dedicate a portion of the revenue derived from state sales and use taxes to the Texas water fund and to provide for the allocation and use of that revenue."

Proposition 5 - HJR 99
"The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation tangible personal property consisting of animal feed held by the owner of the property for sale at retail."

Proposition 6 - HJR 4
"The constitutional amendment prohibiting the legislature from enacting a law imposing an occupation tax on certain entities that enter into transactions conveying securities or imposing a tax on certain securities transactions."

Proposition 7 - HJR 133
"The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a veteran who died as a result of a condition or disease that is presumed under federal law to have been service-connected."

Proposition 8 - HJR 2
"The constitutional amendment to prohibit the legislature from imposing death taxes applicable to a decedent's property or the transfer of an estate, inheritance, legacy, succession, or gift."

Proposition 9 - HJR 1
"The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation a portion of the market value of tangible personal property a person owns that is held or used for the production of income."

Proposition 10 - SJR 84
"The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of the appraised value of an improvement to a residence homestead that is completely destroyed by a fire."

Proposition 11 - SJR 85
"The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district of the market value of the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled."

Proposition 12 - SJR 27
"The constitutional amendment regarding the membership of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, the membership of the tribunal to review the commission's recommendations, and the authority of the commission, the tribunal, and the Texas Supreme Court to more effectively sanction judges and justices for judicial misconduct."

Proposition 13 - SJR 2
"The constitutional amendment to increase the amount of the exemption of residence homesteads from ad valorem taxation by a school district from $100,000 to $140,000."

Proposition 14 - SJR 3
"The constitutional amendment providing for the establishment of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, establishing the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund to provide money for research on and prevention and treatment of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related disorders in this state, and transferring to that fund $3 billion from state general revenue."

Proposition 15 - SJR 34
"The constitutional amendment affirming that parents are the primary decision makers for their children."

Proposition 16 - SJR 37
"The constitutional amendment clarifying that a voter must be a United States citizen."

Proposition 17 - HJR 34
"The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the amount of the market value of real property located in a county that borders the United Mexican States that arises from the installation or construction on the property of border security infrastructure and related improvements."