HOWARD COUNTY, TX — A special election in May 2025 received voter approval for the creation of the Emergency Services District #1 in Howard County. Now, the 118th District Court has ruled that it was created in violation of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
In June, Howard County resident Craig Wyrick submitted a petition to the 118th District Court that alleged the election results were invalid because the votes in the extraterritorial jurisdictions for Big Spring, Coahoma, and Forsan were not counted separately. Plus, the maps used to determine proper ballot creation and counting were invalid because they had not been provided by the respective municipalities. It also requested that Judge Shane Seaton, 118th District Judge, recuse himself from the bench for this hearing since he is a resident in this community.
Although Howard County Judge Randy Johnson entered a general denial to the allegations, he agreed with the petition and requested that the court declare the election void and order a new election, and that a special district judge preside over the case.
Recently it was announced that the results of the May 3, 2025, election were declared void and a new election will take place. It also orders that the implementation of the Howard County Emergency Services District No. 1 be suspended until a legal election is completed and the results determine that a majority of the voters residing in that territory who vote at the election vote in favor of creating the district and imposing a tax. Plus, it orders that the Cities of Big Spring, Coahoma and Forsan, as third party contestee’s, each provide the Elections Administrator with a detailed map that shows the boundaries of its respective municipality and of its respective extraterritorial jurisdiction on or before August 18, 2025.
The case was presided over by the Honorable Judge Kelly G. Moore, Senior District Judge.
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