Buda Council vacancy headed toward November special election for At-Large Position 1

Buda’s At-Large Position 1 is headed toward a possible special election on the November 3, 2026, ballot after Council Member Matt Smith announced his intent to resign.

The City of Buda says the vacancy contest is planned as a separate measure on the general-election ballot. Smith’s resignation is not effective immediately. He is expected to remain in office until the successor is installed.

Smith announced resignation at July 21 meeting

Smith announced his intent to resign during the Buda City Council meeting on July 21, 2026, according to a city release issued that day. The seat involved is At-Large Position 1, which is elected citywide in Buda.

The city said the council was scheduled to call the special election at its August 4 meeting. As of August 2, the available pre-meeting materials do not establish that the election has already been formally called.

The August 4 City Council meeting is scheduled at City Hall’s Council Chambers, 405 E. Loop St., Building 100, in Buda. Residents should check the meeting agenda for the final start time and agenda language.

Joshua Edmond listed as filed candidate

Buda’s official election page listed Joshua Edmond as having filed for the At-Large Position 1 unexpired term on July 28. The filing period remains open, so Edmond should not be described as the only candidate or as the winner.

The city lists 5 p.m. August 17, 2026, as the deadline to file for a place on the general-election ballot. The Texas Secretary of State separately lists 6 p.m. August 20 as the deadline for applications in a special election. Which deadline controls the vacancy contest depends on how Buda formally orders the election.

What Buda voters should watch

If the planned election proceeds, voters will see the At-Large Position 1 unexpired-term contest as a separate measure on the November 3 general-election ballot. The city election page also lists contests for mayor, At-Large Position 2 and Single Member District B as part of the general-election context, but those offices are separate from the vacancy.

Buda’s posted voter timeline lists October 5 as the voter-registration deadline, October 19 through October 30 for early voting, October 23 as the deadline to apply for a ballot by mail, and November 3 as Election Day.

Residents should check the City of Buda and Hays County Elections Office pages after the August 4 meeting for the final election order, ballot language, candidate list, polling locations and precinct information.

Sources

• City of Buda: Matt Smith resignation announcement
• City of Buda: November 3, 2026 General & Special Election
• Texas Secretary of State: Local Election to fill a Vacancy