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Procedures for Write-In Candidates in 2022

NOTE: Please note that information on this page is subject to change as a result of legislation or court order

In Texas, a candidate may run for office as a declared write-in in the general election for state and county officers.  A declared write-in candidate must submit a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy and submit a filing fee or petition in lieu of filing fee in order for votes cast for that candidate to be counted in the election.

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). See our FAQs on Party Affiliation and Candidacy for more details.

Write-In-Candidates
Public Office Sought in 2022
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 Representative x - $3,125 2% 500
Governor x - $3,750 - 5,000
Lieutenant Governor x - $3,750 - 5,000
Attorney General x - $3,750 - 5,000
Comptroller of Public Accounts x - $3,750 - 5,000
Commissioner of General Land Office x - $3,750 - 5,000
Commissioner of Agriculture x - $3,750 - 5,000
Railroad Commissioner x - $3,750 - 5,000
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 /$1,875c 2% 500
District Judge x - $2,500 /$1,500d 2% 500
Criminal District Judge x - $2,500 /$1,500d 2% 500
Family District Judge x - $2,500 /$1,500d 2% 500
District Attorney x - $1,250 2% 500
Criminal District Attorney x - $1,250 2% 500
County Judge - x $1,250 /$750b 2% 500
Judge, County Court-at-Law - x $2,500 /$1,500d 2% 500
Judge, County Criminal Court - x $2,500 /$1,500d 2% 500
Judge, County Probate Court - x $2,500 /$1,500d 2% 500
County Attorney - x $1,250 /$750b 2% 500
Sheriff - x $1,250 /$750b 2% 500
Tax Assessor-Collector - x $1,250 /$750b 2% 500
District Clerk - x $1,250 /$750b 2% 500
County Clerk - x $1,250 /$750b 2% 500
District/County Clerk - x $1,250 /$750b 2% 500
County Treasurer - x $1,250 /$750b 2% 500
County Surveyor - x $75 2% 500
County Commissioner - x $1,250 /$750b 2% 500
Justice of the Peace - x $1,000 /$375b 2% 500
Constable - x $1,000 /$375b 2% 500
Source: Texas Election Code Section §146.024   §146.023(b) § 146.0231 §172.024 §146.023(b) §146.0232 §172.025  
  1. 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).
  2. Pay higher fee if county has at least 200,000 inhabitants according to 2010 Census.
  3. Pay higher fee in Courts of Appeals Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 14. (Sections 146.0231, 172.024(8), Texas Election Code).
  4. Pay higher fee in Bexar, Dallas, Harris and Tarrant Counties. (Sections 146.0231, 172.024(9)-(12), Texas Election Code).
  5. 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 2018 general election, subject to (a) above. (Section 172.025, Texas Election Code).