Candidates seeking office for an elected office must file an application (The most recently updated application is required. This application can be found on the Texas Secretary of State Website) to have their name placed on the ballot for the primary election.

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Filing Period

•  The application must be filed between November 11, 2023- December 11, 2023, by 6pm. (Section 172.023, Texas Election Code). The application shall be filed with the county chair or the secretary of the county executive committee, if there is one. (Section 172.022, Texas Election Code). *If the county chair or secretary of the county CEC refuses to accept the application, it can and should be submitted directly to the state party.

 

Required Actions by County Chairs

County chairs may not refuse to accept an application from a candidate, if otherwise eligible for the office, during this initial filing period.

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Upon receipt of an application, the county chair must review the application and make a determination whether to accept or reject the application. (Tex. Elec. Code § 172.0222(b)). This review must be complete no later than the fifth business day after the date the application is received by the county chair. (Tex. Elec. Code § 172.0222(c)). If the application is rejected, the county chair must notify the candidate in writing of the rejection. (Tex. Elec. Code § 141.032). If the application is accepted, the county chair will enter this information into the candidate filing system. (*While it is not a legal requirement, it is customary for the County Chair to send written notice (an email for example) of an approved application. It is recommended that all candidates specifically ask the county chair for this written notice of approval. The written notice approval should customarily be provided no later than the fifth business day after the date the application is received by the county chair. If the county chair does not provide this notice, the application should be submitted directly to the state party. It’s extremely important to file early in case there are problems with the process.)

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Footnotes

***An application for a place on the ballot, including any accompanying petition, is public information immediately on its filing. (Section 141.035, Texas Election Code)

*The general eligibility requirements to be a candidate for a public elective office in Texas are that a person must:

• Be a United States citizen; *Be 18 years of age or older on the first day of the term to be filled at the election;

• Have not been determined to be totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote by a final judgment of a court exercising probate jurisdiction;

• Have not been finally convicted of a felony from which the person has not been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disabilities;

• Have resided continuously in the state for 12 months and in the territory from which the office is elected for six months immediately preceding a date which varies according to the candidate’s status;

• In a general election year, be affiliated with the Republican Party through voting in the Republican primary election or runoff or by oath of affiliation (Sec. 162.001 – 162.012)