Garland’s only contested City Council race is on the ballot now. Here’s why District 5 is the one to watch
Garland TX – Early voting is underway for the May 2 city election, but only District 5 remains contested after Garland canceled three uncontested council races.
Garland’s May 2 city election has narrowed to one contested City Council race: District 5. That means most voters will not see a full slate of council contests this cycle, even though early voting is already underway.
Official city records show Garland canceled the District 1, District 2 and District 4 council elections after those races became uncontested. The result is a smaller ballot on the city side, with District 5 now the only active council contest left for voters to watch.
Who is running in District 5
The District 5 race is between Forest Bryant, Margaret Lucht and Paul Dollar, according to Garland’s candidate certification records. For residents in that district, the outcome will decide who represents them on the council for the next term.
For everyone else, the practical takeaway is simpler: if you are checking a Garland ballot expecting multiple council races, you may not find them. The city’s election documents explain why those seats disappeared from the ballot before Election Day.
What happened to the other council races
Garland Ordinance No. 7653 canceled the elections for Districts 1, 2 and 4 because those contests were uncontested. That is a procedural move, not a last-minute policy shift, but it still changes what voters will see when they show up to vote.
The ordinance matters because it shows the city did not hold those seats open for a vote when there was no opposition. Instead, the remaining council competition was concentrated in District 5, which is why that district now carries most of the attention in the city election.
What voters need to know now
Early voting is underway and runs through April 28, 2026, according to Garland’s election information page. Election Day is Saturday, May 2, 2026.
A Dallas County elections update from KERA News says county leaders expect a smoother process this spring than during the March primary, but the basic planning advice remains the same: check your polling location, confirm your district and vote before the deadline if you want to avoid the Election Day rush.
For Garland residents, this is a narrower election than usual, but it is still a consequential one. District 5 voters will choose among three candidates, while most other council districts have already been settled without a vote. That makes the remaining race the one local contest likely to shape the city council outcome this cycle.
Sources
- City of Garland May 2, 2026 general election page
- Garland Ordinance No. 7653 canceling Districts 1, 2 and 4 council elections
- City of Garland certification of candidates for the 2026 general election
- KERA News report on Dallas County local election logistics
- Dallas Morning News editorial on the Garland District 5 race