Filing as a Candidate in a Local General Election

Candidates seeking to have their name placed on the ballot in a local election must file a candidate application. Some political subdivisions may also require a filing fee and/or a petition in lieu of a filing fee to be filed along with the candidate application. Please note, the application along with the filing fee or petition in lieu of a filling fee (if applicable) must be filed at the same time with the proper filing authority.

• Filing Period
  • May 4, 2024 Uniform Election: The application must be filed between Wednesday, January 17, 2024 and 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 16, 2024. (Secs. 143.007(c), 144.005(d); Sec. 11.055, Education Code; Chapter 286, Health & Safety Code).
    • City offices with four-year terms: If no candidate has filed for a city office with a four-year term, the filing deadline is extended to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 8, 2024. (Sec. 143.008).
    • In order to become a candidate for a particular office, you must file an application for a place on the ballot (PDF) with the filing authority for the political subdivision, as appropriate (see chart).
    • The delivery, submission, or filing of an application with an employee of the filing authority at the authority’s usual place for conducting official business constitutes filing with the authority. (Sec. 1.007).
    • Most local political subdivisions DO NOT require a filing fee or petitions for an application for a place on the ballot.
    • If required by the political subdivision, the application must be accompanied by either a filing fee or a petition for a place on the ballot (PDF) signed by a certain number of qualified voters.
    • For details on the filing fee amount or number of petition signatures needed, contact the filing authority of the political subdivision.
    • A candidate may withdraw their application and have their name omitted from the ballot by submitting a notarized Certificate of Withdrawal (PDF) or a notarized letter to the same filing authority.
    • The deadline for a candidate to submit their withdrawal is:
      • May 4, 2024 Uniform Election: 5:00 p.m. Friday, February 23, 2024
      • November 5, 2024 Uniform Election: 5:00 p.m. Monday, August 26, 2024

      See our FAQs on Candidacy for answers to frequently asked questions.

      Public Office Sought

      Secretary of the Board; or other person designated by the Board

      Secretary of the Board; or agent appointed by the Board

      Secretary of the Board; or presiding officer if there is no secretary

      Junior College District

      Secretary of the Board; or other person designated by the Board

      Secretary of the Board; or presiding officer if there is no secretary

      Emergency Service District
      (Counties under Section 775.0345)

      Initial Election: County voter registrar

      Health & Safety Code § 775.0345(e)

      After that: Secretary of the Board; or other person designated by the Board

      Health & Safety Code § 775.0345

      Emergency Service District
      (More than One County)

      Initial Election: County clerk of each county

      Health & Safety Code § 775.035(d)

      After that: Secretary of the Board; or other person designated by the Board

      Health & Safety Code § 775.035

      1. Home-rule city charters may designate another person as the filing authority. (Sec. 143.006(b), Elec. Code).
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