Write-In Candidates
In order to become a write-in candidate in the general election, file a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy (PDF) with the Secretary of State or your county judge, as appropriate (see chart), no earlier than July 18, 2020, and no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 17, 2020. Section 146.025, Texas Election Code. Your declaration must be accompanied by either a filing fee or a nominating petition (PDF) signed by a certain number of qualified voters. Tex. Sections 146.023(b), 146.0231, 146.0232, Texas Election Code.
A person who was a candidate for office in the primary election is ineligible for a place on the list of write-in candidates for that same office in the succeeding general election for state and county officers. Section 162.015, Texas Election Code.
Public Office Sought in 2020 |
File Declaration of Write-in Candidacy with |
Filing Fee | Nominating Petition in Lieu of Filing Fee | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sec of State | County Judge | % Signatures a | Number of Signatures e | ||
| United States Senator | x | - | $5,000 | - | 5,000 |
| United States Representative | x | - | $3,125 | 2% | 500 |
| Railroad Commissioner | x | - | $3,750 | - | 5,000 |
| Chief Justice and Justice, Supreme Court | x | - | $3,750 | - | 5,000 |
| Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals | x | - | $3,750 | - | 5,000 |
| State Senator | x | - | $1,250 | 2% | 500 |
| State Representative | x | - | $750 | 2% | 500 |
| Member, State Board of Education | x | - | $300 | 2% | 500 |
| Chief Justice and Justice, Court of Appeals | x | - | $2,500 / $1,875 c |
2% | 500 |
| District Judge | x | - | $2,500 / $1,500 d |
2% | 500 |
| Criminal District Judge | x | - | $2,500 / $1,500 d |
2% | 500 |
| Family District Judge | x | - | $2,500 / $1,500 d |
2% | 500 |
| District Attorney | x | - | $1,250 | 2% | 500 |
| Criminal District Attorney | x | - | $1,250 | 2% | 500 |
| County Judge | - | x | $1,250 / $750 b |
2% | 500 |
| Judge, County Court-at-Law | - | x | $2,500 / $1,500 d |
2% | 500 |
| Judge, County Criminal Court | - | x | $2,500 / $1,500 d |
2% | 500 |
| Judge, County Probate Court | - | x | $2,500 / $1,500 d |
2% | 500 |
| County Attorney | - | x | $1,250 / $750 b |
2% | 500 |
| Sheriff | - | x | $1,250 / $750 b |
2% | 500 |
| Tax-Assessor Collector | - | x | $1,250 / $750 b |
2% | 500 |
| County Commissioner | - | x | $1,250 / $750 b |
2% | 500 |
| Justice of the Peace | - | x | $1,000 / $375 b |
2% | 500 |
| Constable | - | x | $1,000 / $375 b |
2% | 500 |
| Source: Texas Election Code Section | §146.024 | §146.023(b) § 146.0231 §172.024 |
§146.023(b) §146.0232 §172.025 |
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- Percentage of all votes for all gubernatorial candidates cast in the applicable territory in the 2018 general election. If number is less than 50, a larger percentage may be required. If number is less than 50, the required number of signatures is the lesser of (1) 50 or (2) 20% of all votes for all gubernatorial candidates cast in the applicable territory in the 2018 general election. Sections 146.0232, 172.025, Texas Election Code.
- Pay higher fee if county has at least 200,000 inhabitants according to 2010 Census.
- Pay higher fee in Courts of Appeals Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 14. Sections 146.0231, 172.024(8), Texas Election Code.
- Pay higher fee in Bexar, Dallas, Harris and Tarrant Counties. Sections 146.0231 172.024(9)-(12), Texas Election Code.
The minimum number of signatures that must appear on a candidate’s petition for statewide office is 5000. The minimum number of signatures that must appear on a candidate’s petition for district, county or precinct office is the lesser of (1) 500 or (2) 2% of the total vote received in the district, county or precinct, as applicable, by all gubernatorial candidates in the 2014 general election, subject to (a) above. Section 172.025, Texas Election Code.
