Bryan and College Station voters were tasked with electing mayors, city council members and school board members for each city and school district on Nov. 3. Bryan voters were also asked to consider a city charter amendment that would remove Texas Avenue medians in the city, as well as a tax rate increase by BISD.

More than 80,000 ballots were counted by the Brazos County Elections office on Nov. 3.

The breakdown:

• City of Bryan

  • Incumbent Bryan Mayor Bobby Gutierrez is projected to be reelected with 56.9%, or 13,164 votes

  • In City Council District 1, incumbent Paul Torres leads with 70.8%, or 1,664 votes

  • City Council District 2 is expected to continue to a runoff election in December because a candidate did not receive 50% or more of the vote

• Voters were in favor of a city charter amendment that aims to remove Texas Avenue medians, with 78.4% of the vote

• City of College Station

  • Bob Yancy is the projected next College Station mayor with 59.1%, or 18,365 votes in the mayoral race

  • City Council Place 1 is expected to continue to a runoff election in December because a candidate did not receive 50% or more of the vote

  • In City Council Place 2, Chandler Arden leads with 62.6%, or 15,274 votes

  • City Council Place 5 is also expected to continue to a runoff election next month

• Bryan ISD

  • Chris Cartwright leads with 58.3%, or 2,515 votes in the District 2 school board race

  • Voters rejected a two-cent tax rate increase for the district's maintenance and operations budget, with 58.9% of voters against the measure

• College Station ISD

  • Challenger Michelle Gallagher is projected to take over for Place 6 on the school board with 72.4%, or 22,153 votes

  • For Place 7, Heather Simmen will be reelected with 53.5%, or 16,104 votes

Stay tuned: College Station and Bryan votes are expected to be canvassed on Nov. 16 and 17, respectively. Until then, all votes are considered unofficial.

Bryan voters largely approved a city charter amendment calling for the removal of medians along Texas Avenue, but changes to the state-controlled roadway will still require coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation, according to the city of Bryan.

The vote: The amendment received 20,007 votes in favor, or 78.4%, according to results from the Nov. 3 election.

What it means: Results remain unofficial until canvassed on Nov. 17. Once certified, the amendment will be added to the city charter. However, Texas Avenue is controlled by TxDOT and the city said any changes to the road remain subject to its authority.

What the city is doing: The city said it has been in conversations with TxDOT for several years about concerns raised since the medians were installed and has identified several compromises for TxDOT's consideration.

The city estimated removing the medians would cost about $8 million. It said it will work to identify a funding source and keep residents informed as discussions with TxDOT continue.

Voters in Brazos County and beyond chose who they wanted to lead in the Texas House and Senate among other offices impacting the county.

• Brazos County Commissioner Precinct 4

  • Democratic incumbent Commissioner Wanda Watson is reelected with 65.8%, or 8,791 votes

• Texas Senate, District 5

  • Republican incumbent State Senator Charles Schwertner leads with 51.6%, or 39,458 votes

• State House District 12 State Representative

  • Republican incumbent State Rep. Trey Wharton leads with 65.9%, or 9,027 votes

• Texas House District 14

  • Democratic challenger Janet Dudding leads with 49%, or 30,780 votes. However, a runoff election may be possible as Republican incumbent Rep. Paul Dyson trails by 315 votes

Before you go: These results remain unofficial until canvassed.

Brazos County commissioners approved measures on Nov. 3, allowing the district attorney’s and county attorney’s offices to continue salary supplements and benefit payments while awaiting state grant funding through the Rural Prosecutor’s Salary Assistance Grant Program.

What readers need to know: Under the agreements, the county could be responsible for covering up to $275,000 for each office if the grants are not awarded by Sept. 30, 2027.

The funding is provided through a bill supporting rural prosecutor salaries. Precinct 2 Commissioner Chuck Konderla said grant payments have been delayed for more than 250 counties across Texas, leaving Brazos County to temporarily cover the expenses.

The takeaway: Precinct 3 Commissioner Fred Brown clarified that the county expects to receive the grant money in January and anticipates being reimbursed in full.

Commissioners approved both requests separately. Both measures include restrictions on salary supplements for employees hired after Nov. 3 if the grant funding has not been awarded by that date.

Polls across Texas closed at 7 p.m. in the Nov. 3 election, bringing a competitive race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico to a close.

What's happening: Initial results from early voting and mail-in ballots showed Talarico with an early lead over Paxton, although outcomes could change as more counties publish early voting totals and begin reporting results from Election Day.

The winner of the Nov. 3 election will replace Sen. John Cornyn, who lost his reelection bid to Paxton earlier this year. Each state has two U.S. senators, and the new senator will work alongside Republican Ted Cruz.

What they're saying: In August, Talarico told Community Impact his top priority was to "tackle corruption to bring down costs for working people," while Paxton said he would prioritize "lowering costs, restoring the American Dream and keeping Texas a safe place." Libertarian candidate Ted Brown said he was in favor of policies based on "personal freedom, economic freedom, digital privacy [and] anti-foreign military intervention."

Read Community Impact's full Q&A with the three candidates here.

Two Democratic state lawmakers declared victory in the races for Texas governor and lieutenant governor Nov. 3.

What's happening: Speaking at an Austin watch party, Gina Hinojosa told supporters that the "trust they placed in her was not a blank check." Vikki Goodwin pointed to changes she hoped to make as lieutenant governor and president of the Texas Senate.

"We are on a mission to fight back against the systemic destruction of our rights, our public education and our democracy," Goodwin said.

Both women are state representatives from Austin. Hinojosa is poised to become the state's first Latina governor, while Goodwin would become the first female lieutenant governor.

More context: Republican Gov. Greg Abbott conceded to Hinojosa earlier Nov. 3, while Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued a statement calling the election "fair."

"I love our state," Abbott said to his crowd of supporters in Austin. "It's been an honor to serve it. I know we are leaving Texas in far better shape than it's ever been."