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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 filing fee or petition in lieu of a filling fee (if applicable) must be filed with the application 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.

All references made below are to the appropriate sections of the Texas Election Code, unless otherwise noted.

• Filing Period
• May 2, 2026 Uniform Election:
• Ordered as part of the general election:
• The application must be filed between Wednesday, January 14, 2026 and 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026. (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 6, 2026. (Sec. 143.008).
• Special election ordered on or before Saturday, February 21, 2026 (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 Tuesday, March 3, 2026 (first business day after the 62nd day before election day. Deadline is moved to Tuesday because Monday, March 2nd is Texas Independence Day).
• Special election ordered after Saturday, February 21, 2026 and on or before Tuesday, March 17, 2026 (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 23, 2026 (40th day before election day).
• November 3, 2026 Uniform Election:
• Ordered as part of the general election:
• The application must be filed between Saturday, July 18, 2026 and 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 17, 2026. (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 20, 2026 (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)
  
• NEW LAW: Pursuant to HB 3629 (89th Leg., R.S.), effective immediately, individuals who are required to register as sex offenders are not eligible to serve on the board of trustees of an independent school district. Candidates seeking to serve on the board of trustees of an independent school district must include a statement on their candidate application acknowledging that they are ineligible to serve if they are required to register as a sex offender under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure.
• 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 2, 2026 Uniform Election:
• Special election ordered on or before Saturday, February 21, 2026 (70th day before election day): 5:00 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2026
• Special election ordered after Saturday, February 21, 2026 and on or before Tuesday, March 17, 2026 (46th day before election day): 5:00 p.m. Saturday, March 28, 2026
• November 3, 2026 Uniform Election: 5:00 p.m. Monday, August 24, 2026

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).