Fort Worth Election Audits & Public Records Guide

Elections and Campaign Finance Texas 4 Minutes Read · published February 06, 2026 Flag of Texas

Fort Worth, Texas administers municipal elections within the framework of city rules and state law. This guide explains how election audits intersect with public records access, who enforces rules, how to request records, and practical steps for residents and candidates. It references Fort Worth municipal code and official city channels for open records and provides action steps to request records, report suspected violations, and appeal decisions.

Start requests early and keep copies of all submissions.

Legal framework

Municipal election procedures for Fort Worth are governed by the city code as implemented locally and by Texas election and public information statutes at the state level. For the city code and ordinances, consult the City of Fort Worth Code of Ordinances online library.municode.com/tx/fort_worth/codes/code_of_ordinances[1]. For public information rules and state enforcement, see the Texas Attorney General’s Open Government materials texasattorneygeneral.gov/open-government[3]. This article is current as of February 2026.

Penalties & Enforcement

Penalties for violations related to election administration and public records in Fort Worth depend on the specific statute or ordinance violated. The Fort Worth municipal code does not specify monetary fines for every record or audit-related violation on the cited page; where state law applies, enforcement and penalties are handled under Texas statutes and by the Texas Attorney General for public information disputes. For municipal enforcement and complaints, the City Secretary and City Attorney handle records and election-related city matters; the City Secretary’s public information contact is the primary administrative route for requests and complaints fortworthtexas.gov/departments/city-secretary/public-information[2].

If the city denies access, note all dates and reasons before seeking an AG decision.
  • Fines: not specified on the cited municipal page; state penalties may apply for willful violations and are described by state law.
  • Escalation: first, administrative request to the City Secretary; if denied, request a decision from the Texas Attorney General or seek judicial review as allowed by state statute.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to release records, injunctive relief, or court enforcement; specific remedies depend on the controlling statute or court order.
  • Enforcer and complaint pathway: City Secretary for Fort Worth administrative requests; Texas Attorney General for state-level open records determinations.
  • Appeals and time limits: appeal routes include AG decision requests and court review; specific statutory deadlines are governed by state law and are not specified on the cited municipal page.
  • Defences and discretion: exemptions under the Texas Public Information Act may apply, including confidentiality or ongoing investigation exemptions; official exemptions must be cited by the custodian when denying records.

Applications & Forms

The City Secretary publishes procedures and an open records request process; the official page includes instructions for submitting requests and contact information fortworthtexas.gov/departments/city-secretary/public-information[2]. Where a specific city form name or fee schedule is required, it is provided on that page or via the City Secretary; if a printable form or a fee table is not shown, it is not specified on the cited page. For state guidance on fees and forms, consult the Texas Attorney General resources texasattorneygeneral.gov/open-government[3].

  1. Prepare a written request with a clear description of records you want.
  2. Submit via the City Secretary’s online form, email, or mail per the city page instructions.
  3. Pay any stated duplication or delivery fees as directed; check the city page for current fee details.

How to request an audit-related record

Election audits conducted or documented by the city, as well as related materials, may be public records unless exempt. If materials relate to a county-administered election, contact Tarrant County Elections for county records. For city-held records, follow the City Secretary open records procedure and reference any relevant ordinance or meeting where the audit was discussed.[1]

FAQ

How do I request public records related to a Fort Worth election?
Submit a written request to the City Secretary via the city’s public information page, describing the documents and preferred format.
Can I request an election audit report?
Yes, request any audit report held by the city as public information; if the report is held by Tarrant County, submit to the county elections office.
What if the city denies my request?
You can seek a decision from the Texas Attorney General or pursue judicial review; keep the denial and note the rationale and dates.

How-To

  1. Identify the records you need, including dates, meeting names, or audit identifiers.
  2. Use the City Secretary’s public information page to submit the request and provide contact details.
  3. If denied, request a decision from the Texas Attorney General and preserve all correspondence.

Key Takeaways

  • Start with the City Secretary for Fort Worth records and follow published submission rules.
  • The Texas Attorney General handles state-level open records disputes and provides guidance on exemptions.
  • Document every step and keep copies of requests, denials, and responses for appeals.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Fort Worth Code of Ordinances - Municode
  2. [2] City of Fort Worth - City Secretary Public Information
  3. [3] Texas Attorney General - Open Government

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