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).

November 5, 2024 Uniform Election: The application must be filed between Saturday, July 20, 2024 and 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 19, 2024. (Secs. 143.007(c), 144.005(d); Sec. 11.055, Education Code; Chapter 286, Health & Safety Code)

Candidate Application

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).

Filing Fee, Petition, or Petition in Lieu of a Filing Fee

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.

Withdrawal

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	Filing Authority	Source Law
Municipal/City Elections	City Secretary¹	Elec. Code § 143.006
School Board	Secretary of the Board; or other person designated by the Board	Elec. Code § 144.004
Water District	Secretary of the Board; or agent appointed by the Board	Elec. Code § 144.004
Hospital District	Secretary of the Board; or presiding officer if there is no secretary	Elec. Code § 144.004
Junior College District	Secretary of the Board; or other person designated by the Board	Educ. Code § 130.082(g)
Library District	Secretary of the Board; or presiding officer if there is no secretary	Elec. Code § 144.004
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)
Emergency Service District (More than One County)	After that: Secretary of the Board; or other person designated by the Board	Health & Safety Code § 775.035

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