Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Texas
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Note: This article is not intended to serve as an exhaustive guide to running for public office. Individuals should contact their state election agencies for further information.
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In order to get on the ballot in Texas, a candidate for state or federal office must meet a variety of state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. These regulations, known as ballot access laws, determine whether a candidate or party will appear on an election ballot. These laws are set at the state level. A candidate must prepare to meet ballot access requirements well in advance of primaries, caucuses, and the general election.
There are three basic methods by which an individual may become a candidate for office in a state.
- An individual can seek the nomination of a state-recognized political party.
- An individual can run as an independent. Independent candidates often must petition in order to have their names printed on the general election ballot.
- An individual can run as a write-in candidate.
This article outlines the steps that prospective candidates for state-level and congressional office must take in order to run for office in Texas. For information about filing requirements for presidential candidates, click here. Information about filing requirements for local-level offices is not available in this article (contact state election agencies for information about local candidate filing processes).
Year-specific filing information
2024
U.S. Senate
The table below details filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates in Texas in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Texas, click here.
Filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates, 2024 | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
State | Office | Party | Signatures required | Signature formula | Filing fee | Filing fee formula | Filing deadline | Source |
Texas | U.S. Senate | Democratic or Republican | 5,000 | Fixed number | $5,000.00 | Fixed number | 12/11/2023 | Source |
Texas | U.S. Senate | Unaffiliated | 83,717 | 1% of all votes cast for governor in the last election | N/A | N/A | 12/11/2023 | Source |
U.S. House
The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Texas in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Texas, click here.
Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2024 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
State | Office | Party | Signatures required | Filing fee | Filing deadline | Source |
Texas | U.S. House | Democratic or Republican | 2% of votes cast for governor in the district in the last election, or 500, whichever is less | $3,125.00 | 12/11/2023 | Source |
Texas | U.S. House | Unaffiliated | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election, or 500, whichever is less | N/A | 12/11/2023 | Source |
For filing information from previous years, click "[Show more]" below.
2022
U.S. House
The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Texas in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Texas, click here.
Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2022 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
State | Office | Party | Signatures required | Filing fee | Filing deadline | Source |
Texas | U.S. House | Democratic or Republican | 2% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election, or 500, whichever is less | $3,125.00 | 12/13/2021 | Source |
Texas | U.S. House | Unaffiliated | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election, or 500, whichever is less | N/A | 6/23/2022 | Source |
Governor
The table below details filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates in Texas in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Texas, click here.
Filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates, 2022 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
State | Office | Party | Signatures required | Filing fee | Filing deadline | Source | Notes |
Texas | Governor | Ballot-qualified party | 5,000 | $3,750.00 | 12/13/2021 | Source | Petition signatures only required in lieu of filing fee. |
Texas | Governor | Unaffiliated | 83,434 | N/A | 6/23/2022 | Source | Signature formula: 1% of all votes cast for governor in 2018. |
2020
U.S. Senate
The table below details filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates in Texas in the 2020 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Texas, click here.
Filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates, 2020 | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
State | Office | Party | Signatures required | Signature formula | Filing fee | Filing fee formula | Filing deadline | Source |
Texas | U.S. Senate | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $5,000.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | U.S. Senate | Unaffiliated | 83,717 | 1% of all votes cast for governor in the last election | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
U.S. House
The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Texas in the 2020 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Texas, click here.
Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2020 | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
State | Office | Party | Signatures required | Signature formula | Filing fee | Filing fee formula | Filing deadline | Source |
Texas | 10th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 11th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 12th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 13th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 14th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 15th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 16h Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 17th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 18th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 19th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 1st Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 20th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 21st Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 22nd Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 23rd Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 24th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 25th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 26th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 27th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 28th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 29th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 2nd Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 30th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 31st Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 32nd Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 33rd Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 34th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 35th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 36th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 3rd Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 4th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 5th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 6th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 7th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 8th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 9th Congressional District | Democratic or Republican | N/A | N/A | $3,125.00 | Fixed number | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas | 10th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 11th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 12th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 13th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 14th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 15th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 16h Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 17th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 18th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 19th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 1st Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 20th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 21st Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 22nd Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 23rd Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 24th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 25th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 26th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 27th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 28th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 29th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 2nd Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 30th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 31st Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 32nd Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 33rd Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 34th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 35th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 36th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 3rd Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 4th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 5th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 6th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 7th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 8th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
Texas | 9th Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 500 | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election; not to exceed 500 | N/A | N/A | 12/9/2019 (declaration of intent); 8/13/2020 (final filing deadline) | Source |
State House
The table below details filing requirements for Texas House of Representatives candidates in the 2020 election cycle.
Filing requirements for state legislative candidates, 2020 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chamber name | Party | Signatures required | Filing fee | Filing deadline | Source |
Texas House of Representatives | Qualified party | N/A | $750.00 | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas House of Representatives | Unaffiliated | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election | N/A | 8/13/2020 | Source |
State Senate
The table below details filing requirements for Texas State Senate candidates in the 2020 election cycle.
Filing requirements for state legislative candidates, 2020 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chamber name | Party | Signatures required | Filing fee | Filing deadline | Source |
Texas State Senate | Qualified party | N/A | $1,250.00 | 12/9/2019 | Source |
Texas State Senate | Unaffiliated | 5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election | N/A | 8/13/2020 | Source |
2018
See below for 2018 candidate filing deadlines.
2016
The calendar below lists important dates for political candidates in Texas in 2016.
Dates and requirements for candidates in 2016 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Deadline | Event type | Event description | |
September 15, 2015 | Ballot access | First day to file for a place on the primary ballot for precinct chair candidates | |
November 14, 2015 | Ballot access | First day to file for all other candidates for offices that are regularly scheduled to be on the primary ballot | |
December 14, 2015 | Ballot access | Filing deadline for candidates; filing deadline for independent candidates to file intent declaration | |
January 15, 2016 | Campaign finance | January semi-annual report due | |
February 1, 2016 | Campaign finance | 30th-day pre-primary report due | |
February 12, 2016 | Campaign finance | Personal financial statement due | |
February 22, 2016 | Campaign finance | 8th-day pre-primary report due | |
March 1, 2016 | Election date | Primary election | |
May 16, 2016 | Campaign finance | 8th-day pre-runoff report due | |
July 15, 2016 | Campaign finance | July semi-annual report due | |
October 11, 2016 | Campaign finance | 30th-day pre-election report due | |
October 31, 2016 | Campaign finance | 8th-day pre-election report due | |
November 8, 2016 | Election date | General election | |
January 17, 2017 | Campaign finance | January semi-annual report due | |
Sources: Texas Secretary of State, "Important 2016 Election Dates," accessed July 17, 2016 Texas Ethics Commission, "2016 Filing Schedule for Candidates and Officeholders Who File with the Texas Ethics Commission," accessed November 25, 2015 |
2015
To view historical information for 2015, click [show] to expand the section. | |||
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2014
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Process to become a candidate
See statutes: Title 9 of the Texas Election Code
A candidate in Texas may run with an officially recognized political party, as an independent, or as a write-in.
For major party candidates
In order to run with a major political party, a candidate must file an application with the county or state party chair and pay a filing fee. A candidate also has the option of filing a petition in lieu of the filing fee. Application and petition forms are available through local party officials or the Texas Secretary of State. The regular filing period for the primary election begins on the 30th day before the date of the regular filing deadline, which is 6 p.m. on the second Monday in December of an odd-numbered year.[6]
A chart detailing the signature and filing requirements for each particular office can be accessed here.[7]
For minor party candidates
State-qualified minor parties nominate candidates by convention. To be considered for nomination by a convention, a minor party candidate must file an application for nomination no later than 6 p.m. on the second Monday in December of an odd-numbered year, preceding the minor party’s convention. A candidate seeking nomination for a state or district office must file with the state party chair. Candidates for county or precinct offices must file applications with county party chairs. Effective September 1, 2021, a candidate nominated via convention must either pay a filing fee (equal to the filing fee paid by major party candidates in primary elections) or submit a petition a petition in lieu of paying the filing fee.[8][9]
For independent candidates
A candidate may have his or her name placed on the general election ballot as an independent candidate if he or she is not affiliated with a political party.[10][2][11][12][13]
To run as an independent, a candidate must file a declaration of intent with the county judge (county or precinct offices) or the Texas Secretary of State (district and state offices) during the same filing period as major and minor party candidates.[2][14]
This paperwork must include signatures of voters who have not participated in the primary election or the runoff primary election of a party that has nominated, at either election, a candidate for the office the petitioning candidate seeks.[2][15]
A chart detailing the signature and filing requirements for each particular office can be accessed here.[2]
For write-in candidates
In order to become a write-in candidate in the general election, the candidate must file a declaration of candidacy with the Texas Secretary of State or the county judge, as appropriate, no later than 5 p.m. of the 78th day before general election day.[16][17]
The declaration must be accompanied by either a filing fee or a nominating petition signed by a certain number of qualified voters. A chart detailing the signature and filing requirements for each particular office can be accessed here.[16][18]
Petition requirements
In some cases, candidates may need to obtain signatures via the petition process to gain access to the ballot. This section outlines the laws and regulations pertaining to petitions and circulators.
Format requirements
General petition requirements are established in Title 9, Chapter 141, Subchapter (C) of the Texas Election Code.
Circulation requirements
A person circulating a petition must do the following:
- before permitting a person to sign, point out and read to the person each statement pertaining to the signer that appears on the petition
- witness each signature
- ascertain that each date of signing is correct
- before the petition is filed, verify each signer's registration status and ascertain that each registration number entered on the petition is correct[19]
Petitions are also required to include an affidavit of the person who circulated it, stating that the circulator did the following:
- pointed out and read to the person each statement pertaining to the signer that appears on the petition, before permitting a person to sign
- witnessed each signature
- verified each signer's registration status
- believes each signature to be genuine and the corresponding information to be correct[20]
The relevant statutes do not stipulate a date on which petitions may begin to circulate.
Election administration agencies
Election agencies
- See also: State election agencies
Individuals seeking additional information about voting provisions in Texas can contact the following local, state, and federal agencies.
Texas County Clerks
Texas Secretary of State, Elections Division
- Physical Address: James E. Rudder Building
- 1019 Brazos St.
- Austin, Texas 78701
- Mailing Address: P.O. Box 12060
- Austin, Texas 78711-2060
- Phone: 512-463-5650
- Toll free: 1-800-252-8683
- Fax: 512-475-2811
- Email: elections@sos.texas.gov
- Website: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/
Texas Ethics Commission
- Physical Address: Sam Houston Building
- 201 East 14th St., 10th Floor
- Austin, Texas 78701
- Mailing Address: P. O. Box 12070
- Austin, Texas 78711-2070
- Phone: 512-463-5800
- Email: reception@ethics.state.tx.us
- Website: https://www.ethics.state.tx.us
U.S. Election Assistance Commission
- 633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200
- Washington, DC 20001
- Phone: 301-563-3919
- Toll free: 1-866-747-1471
- Email: clearinghouse@eac.gov
- Website: https://www.eac.gov
Do you need information about elections in your area? Are you looking for your local election official? Click here to visit the U.S. Vote Foundation and use their election official lookup tool. |
Term limits
State executives
There are no state executive positions subject to term limits in Texas.
State legislators
- See also: State legislatures with term limits
There are no term limits placed on Texas state legislators.
Congressional partisanship
Below is the current partisan breakdown of the congressional delegation from Texas.
Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Texas | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | U.S. Senate | U.S. House | Total |
Democratic | 0 | 12 | 12 |
Republican | 2 | 25 | 27 |
Independent | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Vacancies | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Total | 2 | 38 | 40 |
State legislative partisanship
Below is the current partisan breakdown of the state legislature of Texas.
Texas State Senate
Party | As of March 2025 | |
---|---|---|
Democratic Party | 11 | |
Republican Party | 20 | |
Other | 0 | |
Vacancies | 0 | |
Total | 31 |
Texas House of Representatives
Party | As of March 2025 | |
---|---|---|
Democratic Party | 62 | |
Republican Party | 88 | |
Other | 0 | |
Vacancies | 0 | |
Total | 150 |
Related legislation
The table below lists bills related to ballot access requirements for candidates that have been introduced during (or carried over to) the current legislative session in Texas. The following information is included for each bill:
- State
- Bill number
- Official bill name or caption
- Most recent action date
- Legislative status
- Sponsor party
- Topics dealt with by the bill
Bills are organized by most recent action. The table displays up to 100 results. To view more bills, use the arrows in the upper-right corner. Clicking on a bill will open its page on Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker, which includes bill details and a summary.
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Recent issues
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See also
- Ballot access requirements for presidential candidates in Texas
- Ballot access requirements for political parties in Texas
- Texas elections, 2024
- Campaign finance requirements in Texas
- Counties in Texas
- List of United States Representatives from Texas
- List of United States Senators from Texas
- Methods for signing candidate nominating petitions
- State executives with term limits
- States with gubernatorial term limits
- State legislatures with term limits
External links
Official state and federal links
- Texas Secretary of State, Elections Division
- Federal Election Commission
- Candidate information, from the Texas Secretary of State
Other information
- Ballot Access News – News updates and analysis of ballot access issues
- ThirdPartyPolitics.us – Blog about American third party and independent politics
- National Voter Outreach – Political consulting firm that specializes in organizing petition signature drives
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Texas Secretary of State Office, "2014 Minor Party Candidate Information," accessed November 6, 2013
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Texas Secretary of State Office, "Independent Candidates," accessed November 6, 2013 Cite error: Invalid
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tag; name "txindependent" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Texas Tribune, "Some CD-36 Candidates Saw Stockman Switch Coming," accessed December 12, 2013
- ↑ Texas Republican Party, "Republican Party of Texas Announces Extended Filing Period for Congressional District 36," accessed December 12, 2013
- ↑ Texas Election Code, "Section 172.054," accessed December 12, 2013
- ↑ Texas Election Code, "Section 172.023," accessed December 23, 2013
- ↑ Texas Elections Division, "Republican or Democratic Party Nominees," accessed October 19, 2017
- ↑ Texas Election Code, "Section 181.033," accessed December 23, 2013
- ↑ Texas Legislature, "SB 2093," accessed June 8, 2021
- ↑ Texas Election Code, "Section 1.005(9)," accessed December 23, 2013
- ↑ Texas Election Code, "Section 142.008," accessed December 23, 2013
- ↑ Texas Election Code, "Section 162.003," accessed December 23, 2013
- ↑ Texas Election Code, "Section 162.007," accessed December 23, 2013
- ↑ Texas Election Code, "Section 142.002(b)(2)," accessed December 23, 2013
- ↑ Texas Election Code, "Section 142.009," accessed December 23, 2013
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Texas Elections Division, "Write-In Candidates," accessed November 1, 2013
- ↑ Texas Election Code, "Section 146.025," accessed December 23, 2013
- ↑ Texas Election Code, "Section 146.023-146.0232," accessed December 23, 2013
- ↑ Texas Election Code, "Title 9, Section 141.064," accessed December 31, 2013
- ↑ Texas Election Code, "Title 9, Section 141.065," accessed December 31, 2013
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