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Local Election to fill a Vacancy – Running for an Unexpired Term

Candidates seeking to have their name placed on the ballot in a local election for an unexpired term 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.

For questions about whether the political subdivision ordered an election to fill a vacancy as part of a general election or as a separate special election, please contact the political subdivision.

• Filing Period
• May 4, 2024 Uniform Election:
• Ordered as part of the general 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).
• Special election ordered on or before Saturday, February 24, 2024 (70th day before election day):
• The application may be filed as soon as the election is ordered and no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 4, 2024 (first business day after the 62nd day before election day).
• Special election ordered after Saturday, February 24, 2024 and on or before Tuesday, March 19, 2024 (46th day before election day):
• The application may be filed as soon as the election is ordered and no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 25, 2024 (40th day before election day).
• November 5, 2024 Uniform Election:
• Ordered as part of the general 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).
• Special election:
• The application may be filed as soon as the election is ordered and no later than 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 22, 2024 (75th day before the general election for state and county officers) (Sec. 201.054(f)).
• Candidate Application
• In order to become a candidate for a particular office, you must file an application for a place on the ballot with the filing authority for the political subdivision, as appropriate (see chart).   
• Application for a Place on the General Election Ballot (PDF)
• Application for a Place on the Special Election Ballot (PDF)
• 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 or Petition in Lieu of Filing Fee
• Most local political subdivisions DO NOT require a filing fee or a petition for an application for a place on the ballot.
• If required by the political subdivision, the application must be accompanied by either the filing fee or a petition for a place on the ballot and/or petition in lieu of a filing fee (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:
• Special election ordered on or before Saturday, February 24, 2024 (70th day before election day): 5:00 p.m. Friday, March 8, 2024
• Special election ordered after Saturday, February 24, 2024 and on or before Tuesday, March 19, 2024 (46th day before election day): 5:00 p.m. Saturday, March 30, 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.

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