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Procedures for Write-in Candidate in a Local Election

In most political subdivisions, a candidate may run for office as a declared write-in candidate. A declared write-in candidate must submit a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy and submit a filing fee or petition in lieu of a filing fee, if required by the political subdivision.  Please note, the declaration 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.

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

• Filing Period
• May 3, 2025 Uniform Election: The Declaration of Write-in Candidacy, along with any required filing fee or petition, must be submitted no earlier than Wednesday, January 15, 2025 and no later than 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2025. (Secs. 144.006(b), 146.054(b), 146.055, Election Code; Secs. 11.056, 11.304, 130.0825, Education Code; Sec. 326.0431, Local Government Code; Sec. 285.131, Health and Safety Code; and Secs. 36.059, 49.101, 63.0945, Water Code).
• November 4, 2025 Uniform Election: The Declaration of Write-in Candidacy, along with any required filing fee or petition, must be submitted no earlier than Saturday, July 19, 2025 and no later than 5:00 p.m. Friday, August 22, 2025. (Secs. 144.006(b), 146.054(b), 146.055, Election Code; Secs. 11.056, 11.304, 130.0825, Education Code; Sec. 326.0431, Local Government Code; Sec. 285.131, Health and Safety Code; and Secs. 36.059, 49.101, 63.0945, Water Code).
• Candidate Application
• In order to become a write-in candidate for a local pollical subdivision, a candidate must file a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy (PDF) with the filing authority for the political subdivision, as appropriate (see chart).
• 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 a Filing Fee (if required)
• Most local political subdivisions DO NOT require a filing fee or petitions for an application for a place on the ballot.
• If required by the political subdivision, the application must be accompanied by either a filing fee or a petition for a place on the ballot (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 3, 2025 Uniform Election: 5:00 p.m. Friday, February 21, 2025
• November 4, 2025 Uniform Election: 5:00 p.m. Monday, August 25, 2025

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).