Important Election Dates 2020-2022
2020
2021
2022
Important 2020 Election Dates
| First day to file for a place on the Primary ballot for precinct chair candidates. | Tuesday, September 10, 2019 |
|---|---|
| First day to file for all other candidates for offices that are regularly scheduled to be on the Primary ballot; first day for independent candidates to file declaration of intent. | Saturday, November 9, 2019 |
| Filing deadline for candidates; filing deadline for independent candidates to file declaration of intent. | Monday, December 9, 2019 at 6:00 PM |
| First day to apply for a ballot by mail using Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM) or Federal Postcard Application (FPCA). | Wednesday, January 1, 2020* *First day to file does not move because of New Year’s Day holiday. An “Annual ABBM” or FPCA for a January or February 2020 election may be filed earlier, but not earlier than the 60th day before the date of the January or February election. |
| Last Day to Register to Vote | Monday, February 3, 2020 |
| First Day of Early Voting | Tuesday, February 18, 2020* *First business day after Presidents' Day |
| Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked) | Friday, February 21, 2020 |
| Last Day of Early Voting | Friday, February 28, 2020 |
| Last day to Receive Ballot by Mail | Tuesday, March 3, 2020 (Election Day) at 7:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is not postmarked, OR Wednesday, March 4, 2020 (next business day after Election Day) at 5:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7:00 p.m. at the location of the election on Election Day (unless overseas or military voter deadlines apply)4 |
| Authority Conducting Elections | Local Political Subdivisions (County-ordered elections may not be held on this date. County Election Official may, but is not required to, contract to provide election services to political subdivisions holding elections on this date.). |
| Deadline to post NEW HB 305 notice.1 | September 1, 2019* *NEW LAW: Effective Sunday, September 1, 2019 (HB 305 affects political subdivisions with taxing authority) 1 |
| Deadline to Post Notice of Candidate Filing Deadline (Local Political Subdivisions Only)1 | Monday, December 16, 2019 for local political subdivisions that have a first day to file for their candidates1 |
| First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail | Wednesday, January 1, 2020* *First day to file does not move because of New Year’s Day holiday. An “Annual ABBM” or FPCA for a January or February 2020 election may be filed earlier, but not earlier than the 60th day before the date of the January or February election. |
| First Day to File for a Place on the General Election Ballot (Local Political Subdivisions Only)1 | Wednesday, January 15, 2020 |
| Last Day to Order General Election or Special Election on a Measure | Friday, February 14, 2020 |
| Last Day to File for a Place on the General Election Ballot (Local Political Subdivisions Only)2 | Friday, February 14, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. See note below relating to four-year terms3 |
| Last Day to File a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy (Local Political Subdivisions Only) | Tuesday, February 18, 2020 |
| Last Day to Register to Vote | Thursday, April 2, 2020 |
| First Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance | Monday, April 20, 2020 |
| Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked) | Monday, April 20, 2020 (deadline falls on San Jacinto Day, moves to preceding business day) |
| Last Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance | Tuesday, April 28, 2020 |
| Last day to Receive Ballot by Mail | Saturday, May 2, 2020 (Election Day) at 7:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is not postmarked, OR Monday, May 4, 2020 (next business day after Election Day) at 5:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7:00 p.m. at the location of the election on Election Day (unless overseas or military voter deadlines apply)4 |
| First day to apply for a ballot by mail using Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM) or Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) | Wednesday, January 1, 2020* *First day to file does not move because of New Year’s Day holiday. An “Annual ABBM” or FPCA for a January or February 2020 election may be filed earlier, but not earlier than the 60th day before the date of the January or February election. |
|---|---|
| Last Day to Register to Vote | Monday, April 27, 2020 |
| First Day of Early Voting | Monday, May 18, 2020 |
| Last Day to Apply by Mail (Received, not Postmarked) |
Friday, May 15, 2020 |
| Last Day of Early Voting | Friday, May 22, 2020 |
| Last Day to Receive Ballot by Mail | Tuesday, May 26, 2020 (Election Day) at 7:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is not postmarked, OR Wednesday, May 27, 2020 (next business day after Election Day) at 5:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7:00 p.m. at the location of the election on Election Day (unless overseas or military voter deadlines apply)4 |
| Deadline to post NEW HB 305 notice.1 | November 3, 2019* *NEW LAW: Effective Sunday, September 1, 2019 (HB 305 affects political subdivisions with taxing authority) 1 |
| Deadline to Post Notice of Candidate Filing Deadline (Local Political Subdivisions Only)1 | Thursday, June 18, 2020 for local political subdivisions that have a first day to file for their candidates1 |
| First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail | Wednesday, January 1, 2020* *First day to file does not move because of New Year’s Day holiday. An “Annual ABBM” or FPCA for a January or February 2020 election may be filed earlier, but not earlier than the 60th day before the date of the January or February election. |
| First Day to File for a Place on the General Election Ballot (Local Political Subdivisions Only)1 | Saturday, July 18, 2020 |
| First Day to File a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy (General Election for State and County Officers) | Saturday, July 18, 2020 |
| Last Day to Order General Election or Special Election on a Measure | Monday, August 17, 2020 |
| Last Day to File for a Place on the General Election Ballot (Local Political Subdivisions Only)2 | Monday, August 17, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. |
| Last Day to File a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy (General Election for State and County Officers) | Monday, August 17, 2020 |
| Last Day to File a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy (Local Political Subdivisions Only) | Friday, August 21, 2020 |
| Last Day to Register to Vote | Monday, October 5, 2020* |
| First Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance | Monday, October 19, 2020* |
| Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked) |
Friday, October 23, 2020 |
| Last Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance | Friday, October 30, 2020 |
| Last day to Receive Ballot by Mail | Tuesday, November 3, 2020 (Election Day) at 7:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is not postmarked, OR Wednesday, November 4, 2020 (next business day after Election Day) at 5:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7:00 p.m. at the location of the election on Election Day (unless overseas or military voter deadlines apply)4 |
1 Under new law, most local entities now have a “first day” to file.
For the few entities who do not have a first day to file: For the May 2, 2020 election, Wednesday, January 15, 2020 is the deadline to post notice of candidate filing deadline for entities that do not have a first day to file for their candidates. However, pursuant to NEW LAW, for local (taxing) political subdivisions, the deadline is September 1, 2019 (the effective date of HB 305, 2019). For the November 3, 2020 election, Monday, July 20, 2020 is the deadline to post notice of candidate filing deadline for local political subdivisions that do not have a first day to file for their candidates. (If the 30th day before last day on which candidate may file falls on a Saturday, deadline moves to next business day). However, pursuant to NEW LAW, for local (taxing) political subdivisions, the deadline is November 3, 2019 (one year before election day).
Local political subdivisions include: cities, school districts, water districts, hospital districts, and any other local government entity that conducts elections. Many of these elections are conducted on the May uniform election date. Note: Counties may also be holding local proposition (measure) elections on May 2, 2020.
2 Filing deadlines: generally, the filing deadline is the 78th day prior to Election Day. The Code may provide a different special election filing deadline. See Section 201.054 of the Texas Election Code (the “Code”). Write-in deadlines for general and special elections vary; the deadline for most local (city, school, other) special elections is now the same day as the filing deadline for application for a place on the ballot in a May election or November election.
3 If no candidate for a four-year term has filed an application for a place on the ballot for a city office, the filing deadline for that office is extended to 5 p.m. of the 57th day before the election. For the May 2, 2020 election, this is Friday, March 6, 2020. See Section 143.008 of the Code.
4 Please note that pursuant to House Bills 1151 and 929 (2017), different deadlines apply to the last day to receive ballots sent by the following: 1) non-military and military voters who mailed ballots from overseas and submitted a regular state Application for Ballot By Mail (“ABBM”), 2) non-military voters who mailed ballots from overseas and who submitted a Federal Postcard Application (“FPCA”), and (3) military voters who mailed ballots domestically or from overseas and who submitted an FPCA. See Secs. 86.007, 101.001 and 101.057 of the Code. Please contact the Elections Division of the Office of the Texas Secretary of State at 1-800-252-VOTE (8683) for additional information.
Important 2021 Election Dates
| Authority Conducting Elections | Local Political Subdivisions and Counties |
|---|---|
| Deadline to post candidate requirements5 Form 1-15 (PDF) | Friday, May 1, 2020 |
| Deadline to post notice of candidate filing deadline1 | Monday, December 14, 2020 for local political subdivisions that have a first day to file for their candidates1 |
| First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail | Tuesday, January 1, 2021* *First day to file does not move because of New Year’s Day holiday. An “Annual ABBM” or FPCA for a January or February 2021 election may be filed earlier, but not earlier than the 60th day before the date of the January or February election. |
| First Day to File for Place on General Election Ballot (for local political subdivisions ONLY)1 | Wednesday, January 13, 2021 |
| Last Day to File for Place on General Election Ballot (for local political subdivisions ONLY)2 | Friday, February 12, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. See note below relating to four-year terms 3 |
| Last Day to Order General Election or Election on a Measure | Friday, February 12, 2021 |
| Last Day to Register to Vote | Thursday, April 1, 2021 |
| First Day of Early Voting By Personal Appearance | Monday, April 19, 2021 |
| Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked) | Tuesday, April 20, 2021 |
| Last Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance | Tuesday, April 27, 2021 |
| Last day to Receive Ballot by Mail | Saturday, May 1, 2021 (election day) at 7:00 p.m. (unless a late-arriving deadline applies) |
| Authority Conducting Elections | County Elections Officer/Local political subdivisions |
|---|---|
| Deadline to post candidate requirements5 Form 1-15 (PDF) | Monday, November 2, 2020 |
| First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail | Tuesday, January 1, 2021*
*First day to file does not move because of New Year’s Day holiday. An “Annual ABBM” or FPCA for a January or February 2021 election may be filed earlier, but not earlier than the 60th day before the date of the January or February election. |
| Deadline to post notice of candidate filing deadline |
Thursday, June 17, 2021 for local political subdivisions that have a first day to file for their candidates1 |
| First Day to File for Place on General Election Ballot (for local political subdivisions ONLY)1 |
Saturday, July 17, 2021 (“first day” does not move; office hours not required) |
| Last Day to Order General Election or Election on a Measure |
Monday, August 16, 2021 |
| Last Day to File for Place on General Election Ballot (for local political subdivisions ONLY) 2 |
Monday, August 16, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. See note below relating to four-year terms 3 |
| Last Day to Register to Vote | Monday, October 4, 2021 |
| First Day of Early Voting | Monday, October 18, 2021 (17th day before election day falls on a Saturday, first day moves to next business day) |
| Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked) |
Friday, October 22, 2021 |
| Last Day of Early Voting | Friday, October 29, 2021 |
| Last day to Receive Ballot by Mail | Tuesday, November 2, 2021 (election day) at 7:00 p.m. (unless a late-arriving deadline applies) |
1 For the few entities who do not have a first day to file: For the May 1, 2021 election, Wednesday, January 13, 2021 is the deadline to post notice of candidate filing deadline for local political subdivisions that do not have a first day to file for their candidates. For the November 2, 2021 election, Saturday, July 17, 2021 is the deadline to post notice of candidate filing deadline for local political subdivisions that do not have a first day to file for their candidates.
Local political subdivisions include: cities, school districts, water districts, hospital districts, and any other local government entity that conducts elections. Many of these elections are conducted on the May uniform election date. Note: Counties may also be holding local proposition (measure) elections on May 1, 2021.
2Filing deadlines: generally, the filing deadline is the 78th day prior to Election Day. The Code may provide a different special election filing deadline. See Section 201.054 of the Texas Election Code (the “Code”). Write-in deadlines for general and special elections vary; the deadline for most local (city, school, other) special elections is now the same day as the filing deadline for application for a place on the ballot in a May election or November election.
3If no candidate for a four-year term has filed an application for a place on the ballot for a city office, the filing deadline for that office is extended to 5 p.m. of the 57th day before the election. For the May 1, 2021 election, this is Friday, March 5, 2021. For the November 2, 2021 election, this is Tuesday, September 7, 2021. See Section 143.008 of the Code.
4The county elections officer may be the county clerk, the county tax assessor-collector (if commissioners court transfers election duties to him/her), or the county elections administrator (if commissioners court creates the position).
5 Section 2051.152 of the Government Code requires all political subdivisions with the authority to impose a tax maintain a publically accessible Internet website and post the date and location of the next election for officers of the political subdivision and the requirements and deadline for filing for candidacy of each elected office of the political subdivision, which shall be continuously posted for at least one year before the election day for the office.
Important 2022 Election Dates
| Deadline to post candidate requirements1 Form 1-15 (PDF) | Monday, March 1, 2021 |
| First day to file for a place on the Primary ballot for precinct chair candidates. | Tuesday, September 14, 2021 |
| Filing deadline for candidates; filing deadline for independent candidates to file declaration of intent. | Monday, December 13, 2021 at 6:00 PM |
| First day to apply for a ballot by mail using Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM) or Federal Postcard Application (FPCA). | Wednesday, January 1, 2022* *First day to file does not move because of New Year’s Day holiday. An “Annual ABBM” or FPCA for a January or February 2022 election may be filed earlier, but not earlier than the 60th day before the date of the January or February election. |
| Last Day to Register to Vote | Monday, January 31, 2022 |
| First Day of Early Voting | Monday, February 14, 2022 |
| Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked) |
Friday, February 18, 2022 |
| Last Day of Early Voting | Friday, February 25, 2022 |
| Last day to Receive Ballot by Mail | Tuesday, March 1, 2022 (Election Day) at 7:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is not postmarked, OR Thursday, March 3, 2022 (next business day* after Election Day) at 5:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7:00 p.m. at the location of the election on Election Day (unless overseas or military voter deadlines apply)4
*First business day after Texas Independence Day |
| Authority Conduction Elections | Local Political Subdivisions
(County-ordered elections may not be held on this date. County Election Official may, but is not required to, contract to provide election services to political subdivisions holding elections on this date.) |
|---|---|
| Deadline to post candidate requirements 1Form 1-15 (PDF) | Friday, May 7, 2021 |
| Deadline to Post Notice of Candidate Filing Deadline (Local Political Subdivisions Only)1 | Monday, December 20, 2021 for local political subdivisions that have a first day to file for their candidates1 |
| First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail | Wednesday, January 1, 2022*
*First day to file does not move because of New Year’s Day holiday. An “Annual ABBM” or FPCA for a January or February 2022 election may be filed earlier, but not earlier than the 60th day before the date of the January or February election. |
| First Day to File for a Place on the General Election Ballot (Local Political Subdivisions Only)1 | Wednesday, January 19, 2022 |
| Last Day to Order General Election or Special Election on a Measure | Friday, February 18, 2022 |
| Last Day to File for a Place on the General Election Ballot (Local Political Subdivisions Only)2 | Friday, February 18, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. See note below relating to four-year terms3 |
| Last Day to File a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy (Local Political Subdivisions Only) | Tuesday, February 22, 2022 |
| Last Day to Register to Vote | Thursday, April 7, 2022 |
| First Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance | Monday, April 25, 2022 |
| Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked) | Tuesday, April 26, 2022 |
| Last Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance | Tuesday, May 3, 2022 |
| Last day to Receive Ballot by Mail | Saturday, May 7, 2022 (Election Day) at 7:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is not postmarked, OR Monday, May 9, 2022 (next business day after Election Day) at 5:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7:00 p.m. at the location of the election on Election Day (unless overseas or military voter deadlines apply)4 |
| First day to apply for a ballot by mail using Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM) or Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) | Wednesday, January 1, 2022*
*First day to file does not move because of New Year’s Day holiday. An “Annual ABBM” or FPCA for a January or February 2022 election may be filed earlier, but not earlier than the 60th day before the date of the January or February election. |
| Last Day to Register to Vote | Monday, April 25, 2022 |
| First Day of Early Voting | Monday, May 16, 2022 |
| Last Day to Apply by Mail (Received, not Postmarked) | Friday, May 13, 2022 |
| Last Day of Early Voting | Friday, May 20, 2022 |
| Last Day to Receive Ballot by Mail | Tuesday, May 24, 2022 (Election Day) at 7:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is not postmarked, OR Wednesday, May 25, 2022 (next business day after Election Day) at 5:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7:00 p.m. at the location of the election on Election Day (unless overseas or military voter deadlines apply)4 |
| Deadline to post candidate requirements 1 Form 1-15 (PDF) | Monday, November 8, 2021 |
| Deadline to Post Notice of Candidate Filing Deadline (Local Political Subdivisions Only) | Thursday, June 23, 2022 for local political subdivisions that have a first day to file for their candidates1 |
| First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail | Wednesday, January 1, 2022*
*First day to file does not move because of New Year’s Day holiday. An “Annual ABBM” or FPCA for a January or February 2022 election may be filed earlier, but not earlier than the 60th day before the date of the January or February election. |
| First Day to File for a Place on the General Election Ballot (Local Political Subdivisions Only) | Saturday, July 23, 2022 |
| First Day to File a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy (General Election for State and County Officers) | Saturday, July 23, 2022 |
| Last Day to Order General Election or Special Election on a Measure | Monday, August 22, 2022 |
| Last Day to File for a Place on the General Election Ballot (Local Political Subdivisions Only)2 | Monday, August 22, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. |
| Last Day to File a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy (General Election for State and County Officers) | Monday, August 22, 2022 |
| Last Day to File a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy (Local Political Subdivisions Only) | Friday, August 26, 2022 |
| Last Day to Register to Vote | Tuesday, October 11, 2022* *First business day after Columbus Day |
| First Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance | Monday, October 24, 2022 |
| Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked) | Friday, October 28, 2022 |
| Last Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance | Friday, November 4, 2022 |
| Last day to Receive Ballot by Mail | Tuesday, November 8, 2022 (Election Day) at 7:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is not postmarked, OR Wednesday, November 9, 2022 (next business day after Election Day) at 5:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7:00 p.m. at the location of the election on Election Day (unless overseas or military voter deadlines apply)4 |
1 Section 2051.152 of the Government Code requires all political subdivisions with the authority to impose a tax maintain a publically accessible Internet website and post the date and location of the next election for officers of the political subdivision and the requirements and deadline for filing for candidacy of each elected office of the political subdivision, which shall be continuously posted for at least one year before the election day for the office.
2 Filing deadlines: generally, the filing deadline is the 78th day prior to Election Day. The Code may provide a different special election filing deadline. See Section 201.054 of the Texas Election Code (the “Code”). Write-in deadlines for general and special elections vary; the deadline for most local (city, school, other) special elections is now the same day as the filing deadline for application for a place on the ballot in a May election or November election.
3If no candidate for a four-year term has filed an application for a place on the ballot for a city office, the filing deadline for that office is extended to 5 p.m. of the 57th day before the election. For the May 7, 2022 election, this is Friday, March 11, 2022. See Section 143.008 of the Code.
4 Different deadlines apply to the last day to receive ballots sent by the following: 1) non-military and military voters who mailed ballots from overseas and submitted a regular state Application for Ballot By Mail (“ABBM”), 2) non-military voters who mailed ballots from overseas and who submitted a Federal Postcard Application (“FPCA”), and (3) military voters who mailed ballots domestically or from overseas and who submitted an FPCA. See Secs. 86.007, 101.001 and 101.057 of the Code. Please contact the Elections Division of the Office of the Texas Secretary of State at 1-800-252-VOTE (8683) for additional information.
