At an Oct. 21 meeting, Fulshear City Council set a new timeline for staggered council terms following the approval of new district maps in mid-September.

The new maps will require an election for all council seats, including the mayor, in May 2026.

How we got here

The new terms follow City Council approval for redistricting after a study conducted by law firm Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta LLP showed the city has nearly doubled its population since the 2020 census.

City Manager Zach Goodlander said the plan also “generally follows” school district lines, as:
  • Districts 1, 4 and 5 are entirely in Lamar Consolidated ISD.
  • District 3 is entirely in Katy ISD.
  • District 2 splits the boundaries, “but only very slightly.”
The map makes the populations in each district more equitable after the study found Districts 1 and 4 had more constituents due to population growth. (City of Fulshear)
The map makes the populations in each district more equitable after the study found Districts 1 and 4 had more constituents due to population growth. (City of Fulshear)


However, the new maps place District 2 council member Patrick Powers and District 5 council member Abhijeet Utturkar in the same district

Zooming in

Goodlander said city officials prioritized allowing positions up for election earlier this year to not have to run again in 2027.

According to agenda documents, four seats will be up for election again in 2027, including:
  • Mayor
  • At-Large Position 2
  • District 3
  • District 5
Meanwhile, Districts 1, 2 and 4, and the At-Large Position 1 seat will be up for reelection in May 2028, following the typical two-year cycle for council members.


What’s next

Filing for the 2026 election will open Jan. 14, 2026, and close Feb. 13, 2026, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s website.

The city will also be required to redistrict in 2031 following the 2030 census.