THE TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE WILL BE CLOSED FRIDAY, MARCH 29, IN OBSERVANCE OF GOOD FRIDAY.
Election Notice:  Thursday, April 4, 2024 is the last day to register to vote for the May 4, 2024 Uniform Election  |  ID requirements for voting in person  |  ID requirements for voting by mail  |  Election Night Returns  |  Visit VoteTexas.gov for more election information
EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2023, OUR LOBBY WALK-IN HOURS WILL BE 9 A.M. - 4 P.M. (CENTRAL), MONDAY - FRIDAY.

Election Advisory No. 2017-19

To:

All Cities, School Districts, and Other Political Subdivisions

From: Keith Ingram, Director of Elections
Keith Ingram's signature
Date: November 1, 2017

RE:

Recount Deadlines for the November 7, 2017 Elections of Cities, School Districts and Other Political Subdivisions

This deadline memo is designed to be read together with the recount outline on our website.

Below are the deadlines for filing a recount for local elections of cities, school districts and other political subdivisions for elections occurring on the November 7, 2017 uniform election date. Please note that there are two sets of recount filing deadlines. Which set of deadlines applies to you is based on the method of election (i.e., majority or plurality).

The deadline for filing a recount depends on the date the election is canvassed. You cannot canvass your election until the early voting ballot board has convened and counted all provisional and overseas ballots. The last day to receive a ballot from an overseas voter is Monday, November 13, 2017. The last day for the early voting ballot board to convene and count provisional and overseas ballots is Thursday, November 16, 2017. (65.051, 67.003, 86.007(d)(3), & 87.125).

The November 7, 2017 election must be canvassed no earlier than the third day after the election, Friday, November 10, 2017 (if there are no overseas or provisional ballots), and no later than the eleventh day after the election.  Since the eleventh day falls on a weekend, the deadline is extended to the next business day, Monday, November 20, 2017. (1.006 & 67.003).

Deadlines for Regular Recount Requests

If your entity elects:

OR

THEN the deadline to file for a recount is THE LATER of these two dates:

OR

(212.028, 212.081, 212.083).

Please note that candidates are elected by plurality vote unless the law specifically provides otherwise (e.g., statute, home-rule charter, court order). (2.001).

If these criteria apply to your entity, then for the November 7, 2017 election, the following dates apply:

Canvass Date Recount Request Deadline (Regular):
Friday, November 10, 2017 5:00 p.m., Monday, November 13, 2017 (Sec. 1.006)
Saturday, November 11, 2017 5:00 p.m., Monday, November 13, 2017 (Sec. 1.006)
Sunday, November 12, 2017 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Monday, November 13, 2017 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Tuesday, November 14, 2017 5:00 p.m., Thursday, November 16, 2017
Wednesday, November 15, 2017 5:00 p.m., Friday, November 17, 2017
Thursday, November 16, 2017 5:00 p.m., Monday, November 20, 2017 (Sec. 1.006)
Friday, November 17, 2017 5:00 p.m., Monday, November 20, 2017 (Sec. 1.006)
Saturday, November 18, 2017 5:00 p.m., Monday, November 20, 2017
Sunday, November 19, 2017 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 21, 2017
Monday, November 20, 2017 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Deadlines for Expedited Recount Requests

IF your entity elects:

THEN the deadline to file for a recount is THE LATER of these two dates:

If these criteria apply to your entity, then for the November 7, 2017 election, the following dates apply:

Canvass Date Recount Request Deadline (Expedited):
Friday, November 10, 2017 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 13, 2017 (Sec. 212.088)
Saturday, November 11, 2017 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 13, 2017 (Sec. 212.088)
Sunday, November 12, 2017 2:00 p.m., Monday, November 13, 2017
Monday, November 13, 2017 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Tuesday, November 14, 2017 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Wednesday, November 15, 2017 2:00 p.m.,  Thursday, November 16, 2017
Thursday, November 16, 2017 2:00 p.m.,  Friday, November 17, 2017
Friday, November 17, 2017 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 20, 2017 (Sec. 212.088)
Saturday, November 18, 2017 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 20, 2017 (Sec. 212.088)
Sunday, November 19, 2017 2:00 p.m., Monday, November 20, 2017
Monday, November 20, 2017 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Note About Joint Canvassing Authorities

Section 271.011 of the Election Code authorizes a joint canvassing authority. If your joint election agreement designated a joint canvassing authority, please be advised that Section 212.026(b) of the Code requires the recount petition to be filed with the presiding officer of your regular canvassing authority.

As noted above, the recount outline is available on our website. In addition, the recount forms can be downloaded from our political subdivision forms index. If you do not have access to the web, you may contact our office and request that the outline and forms be mailed directly to you.

If you need additional assistance, you may contact the Elections Division toll-free at 1-800-252-VOTE(8683).

CC:  County Clerks/Elections Administrators

KI:TJ