Election administration in Texas

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Election Information
Voter registration
Early voting
Absentee/mail-in voting
All-mail voting
Voter ID laws
State poll opening and closing times
Time off work for voting
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Election administration encompasses a state's voting policies, procedures, and enforcement. These include voter identification requirements, early and absentee/mail-in voting provisions, voter list maintenance methods, and more. Each state's voting policies dictate who can vote and under what conditions.

Below, you will find details on the following election administration topics in Texas:

Poll times[edit]

See also: State poll opening and closing times

In Texas, all polling places are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time. Texas is divided between the Central and Mountain time zones. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.^[2]

Voter registration[edit]

Check your voter registration status here.

To register to vote in Texas, an applicant must be a United States citizen, a resident of the county in which he or she is registering, and at least 17 years and 10 months old.^[3]

The deadline to register to vote is 30 days before the election. Prospective voters can request a postage-paid voter registration form online or complete the form online and return it to the county voter registrar. Applications are also available at a variety of locations including the county voter registrar’s office, the secretary of state’s office, libraries, and high schools. Voter registration certificates are mailed to newly registered voters.^[4]

Automatic registration[edit]

Texas does not practice automatic voter registration.^[5]

Online registration[edit]

See also: Online voter registration

Texas does not permit online voter registration.^[5]

Same-day registration[edit]

Texas does not allow same-day voter registration.^[5]

Residency requirements[edit]

Prospective voters must reside in the county in which they are registering to vote.^[6]

Verification of citizenship[edit]

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Texas does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury.

State law requires election officials to conduct a check of registered voters' citizenship status. Section 18.068 of the Texas Election Code says the following:

“	The secretary of state shall quarterly compare the information received under Section 16.001 of this code and Section 62.113, Government Code, to the statewide computerized voter registration list. If the secretary determines that a voter on the registration list is deceased or has been excused or disqualified from jury service because the voter is not a citizen, the secretary shall send notice of the determination to the voter registrar of the counties considered appropriate by the secretary.[7]	”
—Section 18.068, Texas Election Code[8]

In January 2019, the Texas secretary of state’s office announced that it would be providing local election officials with a list of registered voters who obtained driver’s licenses or IDs with documentation such as work visas or green cards. Counties would then be able to require voters on the list to provide proof of citizenship within 30 days.^[9] The review was halted by a federal judge in February 2019, and Secretary of State David Whitley rescinded the advisory in April.^[10][11] A news release from Whitley’s office stated that “... going forward, the Texas Secretary of State's office will send to county voter registrars only the matching records of individuals who registered to vote before identifying themselves as non-U.S. citizens to DPS when applying for a driver's license or personal identification card. This will ensure that naturalized U.S. citizens who lawfully registered to vote are not impacted by this voter registration list maintenance process.”^[12]

Verifying your registration[edit]

The Texas Secretary of State’s office allows residents to check their voter registration status online by visiting this website.

Early and absentee voting policy[edit]

Early voting[edit]

See also: Early voting

Texas permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.

Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee/mail-in ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.

As of February 2024, 47 states and the District of Columbia permitted no-excuse early voting.

Absentee/mail-in voting[edit]

See also: Absentee/mail-in voting

Texas voters are eligible to vote absentee in an election if:

• They cannot make it to the polls on Election Day because they will be away from the county on Election Day and during early voting;
• They are sick or disabled;
• They are 65 years of age or older; or
• They are confined in jail.^[13]

To vote absentee, a request must be received by county election officials no later than close of regular business on the eleventh day before the election. The completed ballot must then be returned by the close of polls on Election Day.^[14]

Returning absentee/mail-in ballots[edit]

See also: Mail ballot collection and return laws by state

In Texas, voters can return absentee ballots can by mail or in person. According to the Texas Secretary of State, absentee ballots can be returned to an "Early Voting Clerk either by mail, by common or contract carrier, or in person on Election Day at [a voter's] county’s early voting clerk’s office."^[15]

Ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day if returned in person or by mail in an envelope that is not postmarked. Ballots postmarked by 7 p.m. on Election Day must be received by 5 p.m. on the day after election.^[15]

An individual related to a voter “within the second degree by affinity or the third degree by consanguinity” can return a ballot on behalf of a voter.^[16] According to Texas law, the following relationships qualify under that definition:^[17]

• spouse
• child or parent
• mother-in-law or father-in-law
• son-in-law or daughter-in-law
• stepson or stepdaughter
• stepmother or stepfather
• grandchild or grandparent (including in-laws)
• great-grandchild or great-grandparent
• sibling (including in-laws)
• aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew by blood relation through parent

Signature requirements and cure provisions[edit]

Texas requires voters to provide an identification number and signature with their returned absentee ballot. According to the Texas Secretary of State, voters must provide one of the following on their ballot envelope:^[15]

“

The number of your driver license, election identification certificate, or personal identification card issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS); The last four digits of your social security number, if you have not been issued any of the abovementioned numbers by DPS; OR A statement that you have not been issued a number described by (1) or (2) above.[7]

”

Voters then must sign place their ballot envelope in a carrier envelope and sign the carrier envelope.^[15]

Texas has a cure provision requiring election officials on a verification committee to compare the signature on each absentee/mail-in carrier envelope certificate to the signature on the voter's ballot application. If a discrepancy is discovered, the election officials must notify the voter so that he or she may correct the discrepancy. Texas law states the following:

“

No later than the second business day after an early voting ballot board discovers a defect, the board shall determine if it’s possible for the voter to correct the defect and return the envelope before the polls close on Election Day. If the board determines it’s possible, the board shall return the envelope to the voter by mail. If the board determines that it would not be possible for the voter to correct the defect and return the ballot by mail, the board may notify the voter by telephone or email that the voter may request to have the voter’s application to vote by mail canceled or to come to the clerk’s office in person to correct the defect. Voters have until the close of polls on Election Day to return a cure by mail. Voters have until no later than the sixth day after Election Day to correct a defect in person at the clerk’s office.[5][18][19][7]

”

Was your absentee/mail-in ballot counted?[edit]

Use the Absentee Ballot Search tool provided by the Texas Secretary of State office to check the status of your absentee ballot.

Voter identification requirements[edit]

See also: Voter ID in Texas

See also: Voter identification laws by state

Texas requires voters to present photo identification while voting.^[20]

The following list of accepted ID was current as of February 2023. Click here for the Texas Secretary of State's page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.

• Texas driver’s license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
• Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
• Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
• Texas handgun license issued by DPS
• United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
• United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
• United States passport (book or card)

Identification provided by voters aged 18-69 may be expired for no more than four years before the election date. Voters aged 70 and older can use an expired ID card regardless of how long ago the ID expired.^[20]

Voters who are unable to provide one of the ID options listed above can sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and provide one of the following supporting documents:^[20]

• Copy or original of a government document that shows the voter’s name and an address, including the voter’s voter registration certificate
• Copy of or original current utility bill
• Copy of or original bank statement
• Copy of or original government check
• Copy of or original paycheck
• Copy of or original of (a) a certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certificate or (b) a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter’s identity (which may include a foreign birth document)

The following voters are exempt from showing photo ID:^[20]

• Voters with a disability
  • Voters with a disability "may apply with the county voter registrar for a permanent exemption to presenting an acceptable photo identification or following the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure in the county."
• Voters who have a religious objection to being photographed

Voters who do not have a photo ID can obtain a Texas Election Identification Certificate (EIC) at any Texas driver’s license office during regular business hours. Voters can also obtain an Election Identification Certificate from a mobile station. Locations are listed here.^[20]

Click here to learn more about the background of Texas' law.

As of April 2024, 35 states required voters to present identification in order to vote at the polls on Election Day. Of these states, 24 required voters to present identification containing a photograph, and 11 accepted other forms of identification. The remaining 16 states did not require voters to present identification in order to vote at the polls on Election Day.

Valid forms of identification differ by state. In certain states that require voters to provide identification, there may be exceptions that allow some voters to cast a ballot without providing an ID. To see more about these exceptions, see details by state. Commonly accepted forms of ID include driver's licenses, state-issued identification cards, and military identification cards.

Provisional balloting for voters without ID[edit]

Voters who do not have ID while voting may cast provisional ballots. See below for provisional ballot rules.

Provisional ballot rules[edit]

Voters in Texas are given provisional ballots, or ballots requiring additional steps or information before they can be counted, under the following circumstances.^[21]

(1) If the voter’s name does not appear on the list of registered voters, the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.

(2) If the voter is unable to present proper identification, the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.

According to the Texas Secretary of State:^[21]

“

The provisional voting process involves an affidavit that (1) the voter must complete stating the reasons he or she is qualified to vote; and (2) is used if the voter’s registration cannot be verified by the polling place election officials OR if a voter (a) does not possess one of the acceptable forms of photo identification listed above, and a voter can reasonably obtain one of these forms of identification or (b) possesses, but did not bring to the polling place, one of the seven forms of acceptable photo identification listed above, or (c) does not possess one of the seven forms of acceptable photo identification, could otherwise not reasonably obtain one, but did not bring a supporting form of identification to the polling place. The provisional voting process requires the voter to visit the voter registrar’s office within six (6) calendar days of the date of the election to either present one of the above seven (7) acceptable forms of photo ID OR if the voter does not possess, and cannot reasonably obtain an acceptable form of photo identification, execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and present one of the acceptable forms of supporting ID, OR, if applicable, submit one of the temporary affidavits (e.g., religious objection or natural disaster) OR, if applicable, qualify for a permanent disability exemption, in order for the provisional ballot to count.[7]

”

Was your provisional ballot counted?[edit]

A provisional ballot is counted in the following circumstances:^[22]

• If the voter is "eligible to vote in the election and has not previously voted in that election"; or
• If the voter provides proper identification, signs an affidavit stating a religious objection to being photographed, or signs an affidavit stating "the voter does not have any identification as a result of a natural disaster that was declared by the president of the United States or the governor, occurred not earlier than 45 days before the date the ballot was cast."

Local election officials[edit]

Primary election type[edit]

See also: Primary elections in Texas

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Texas utilizes an open primary system. Voters do not have to register with a party in advance in order to participate in that party's primary. The voter must sign a pledge stating the following (the language below is taken directly from state statutes)^[23]

“

The following pledge shall be placed on the primary election ballot above the listing of candidates' names: 'I am a (insert appropriate political party) and understand that I am ineligible to vote or participate in another political party's primary election or convention during this voting year.'[7]

”

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

Time off work for voting[edit]

In Texas, employers commit a misdemeanor level offense if they impede employees' right to two hours paid time off of work to vote--employers are not obligated to grant time off if employees have two hours during non-work time to vote:

“

(a) A person commits an offense if, with respect to another person over whom the person has authority in the scope of employment, the person knowingly: (1) refuses to permit the other person to be absent from work on election day for the purpose of attending the polls to vote; or (2) subjects or threatens to subject the other person to a penalty for attending the polls on election day to vote. (b) It is an exception to the application of this section that the person's conduct occurs in connection with an election in which the polls are open on election day for voting for two consecutive hours outside of the voter's working hours. (c) In this section, "penalty" means a loss or reduction of wages or another benefit of employment. (d) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.[24][7]

”

As of September 2024, 28 states required employers to grant employees time off to vote. Within these 28 states, policies varied as to whether that time off must be paid and how much notice must be given.

Voting rules for people convicted of a felony[edit]

See also: Voting rights for people convicted of a felony

In Texas, people who receive a final felony conviction regain their voting rights automatically upon completion of their entire sentence, including incarceration, parole, probation, or supervision–voting rights can also be restored before the completion of the sentence with a pardon. A final felony conviction includes only the sentence pertaining to the crime. Click here for more information on Texas' treatment of felony convictions and voting rights.^[25]

Voting rights for people convicted of a felony vary from state to state. In the majority of states, people convicted of a felony cannot vote while they are incarcerated but may regain the right to vote upon release from prison or at some point thereafter.^[5]

Voter list maintenance[edit]

All states have rules under which they maintain voter rolls—or, check and remove certain names from their lists of registered voters. Most states are subject to the parameters set by The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).^[26] The NVRA requires states to make efforts to remove deceased individuals and individuals who have become ineligible due to a change of address. It prohibits removing registrants from voter lists within 90 days of a federal election due to change of address unless a registrant has requested to be removed, or from removing people from voter lists solely because they have not voted. The NVRA says that states may remove names from their registration lists under certain other circumstances and that their methods for removing names must be uniform and nondiscriminatory.^[27]

When names can be removed from the voter list[edit]

Texas law authorizes election officials to remove the names of voters from the registered voting list if an individual:^[28]

• confirms in writing that they have moved outside of their voting jurisdiction
• dies
• is adjudged to be mentally incapacitated for the purpose of voting
• is incarcerated for a felony conviction
• is determined to have moved outside of the state
• is determined to be ineligible to vote
• remains on the inactive or suspense voter list through two consecutive general elections.

Inactive voter list rules[edit]

Anytime a voter registration certificate sent by election officials to a voter is returned as undeliverable or a voter fails to respond to a confirmation notice, they are to be placed on the voter suspense, or inactive, list. If a voter remains on the suspense list—by not updating their registration information or voting—through two following general elections after being added to the list, their registration is to be canceled.^[29]

The Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC)[edit]

See also: Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC)

According to its website, ERIC is a nonprofit corporation that is governed by a board of member-states. These member states submit voter registration and motor vehicle registration information to ERIC. ERIC uses this information, as well as Social Security death records and other sources, to provide member states with reports showing voters who have moved within their state, moved out of their state, died, have duplicate registrations in their state, or are potentially eligible to vote but are not yet registered. ERIC's website describes its funding as follows: "Members fund ERIC. New members pay a one-time membership fee of $25,000, which is reserved for technology upgrades and other unanticipated expenses. Members also pay annual dues. Annual dues cover operating costs and are based, in part, on the citizen voting age population in each state."^[30]

By 2022, 33 states and the District of Columbia had joined ERIC. As of May 2024, 24 states and the District of Columbia were members in the ERIC program.^[31]

As of August 2023, Texas was not participating in the ERIC program.

On July 20, 2023, Texas Director of Elections Christina Adkins submitted Texas resignation from ERIC, formally withdrawing the state from the organization. The withdrawal will become effective on Oct. 19, 2023, per ERIC bylaws. Alicia Pierce, a representative for Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson, said compliance with SB1070, a new law signed y Gov. Greg Abbott (R) on June 18, 2023, was the reason for Texas’ withdrawal. Pierce also said, “As fewer states are participating, the costs are increasing and the amount of data we’re going to receive will be reduced.”^[32][33]

Post-election auditing[edit]

Texas state law requires post-election audits. Local election officials audit "not more than three races in 1% of precincts or three precincts, whichever is greater." If there are discrepancies, the election official must find the cause of the discrepancy. The audit must begin within 72 hours after the polls close, and it must be completed no later than the 21st day after the election.^[34]

Post-election audits check that election results tallied by a state's voting system match results from paper records, such as paper ballots filled out by voters or the paper records produced by electronic voting machines. Post-election audits are classified into two categories: audits of election results—which include traditional post-election audits as well as risk-limiting audits—and procedural audits.^[35][36]

Typically, traditional post-election audits are done by recounting a portion of ballots, either electronically or by hand, and comparing the results to those produced by the state's voting system. In contrast, risk-limiting audits use statistical methods to compare a random sample of votes cast to election results instead of reviewing every ballot. The scope of procedural audits varies by state, but they typically include a systematic review of voting equipment, performance of the voting system, vote totals, duties of election officials and workers, ballot chain of custody, and more.

As of October 2024, 49 states and the District of Columbia had some form of post-election audit by law. Of these, 35 states and the District of Columbia required traditional post-election audits, while six states required risk-limiting post-election audits by law. Eight states used some other form of post-election audit, including procedural post-election audits.^[37][38]

Noteworthy events[edit]

Sections of 2021 SB1 related to absentee/mail-in ballots struck down in federal court (2023)[edit]

On August 17, 2023, Judge Xavier Rodriguez of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas struck down two sections of 2021 Senate Bill 1 for violating Section 101 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Rodriguez wrote:^[39]

“

After reviewing the summary judgment record, the Court concludes that Sections 5.07 and 5.13 of S.B.1, codified in Sections 86.001(f) and 87.041(b)(8) of the Texas Election Code, require officials to reject mail-in ballot applications and mail-in ballots based on errors or omissions on a record or paper relating to an act requisite to voting that are not material in determining whether voters are qualified under Texas law to vote or to cast a mail ballot, in violation of the Materiality Provision of Section 101 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 52 U.S.C. § 10101(a)(2)(B).[7]

”

Those two sections of the law required early voting clerks to reject mail-in ballot applications and prohibited completed mail-in ballots from being accepted if certain information—the driver's license number, the last four digits of the social security number, or certain alternatives—did not match the number on the individual's voter registration application.^[40]

Section 101 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 says, "No person acting under color of law shall ... deny the right of any individual to vote in any Federal election because of an error or omission on any record or paper relating to any application, registration, or other act requisite to voting, if such error or omission is not material in determining whether such individual is qualified under State law to vote in such election.”^[41]

Gov. Abbott signs SB1 into law, making several changes to the state's election administration procedures (2021)[edit]

On September 7, 2021, Governor Greg Abbott (R) signed SB1 into law, making a series of changes to Texas' election administration laws. These changes included, but were not limited to, the following:^[42][43][19]

• Early voting: SB1 extended early voting hours, requiring that polling sites be open at least nine hours per day, from no earlier than 6 a.m. to no later than 10 p.m. State law previously required that early voting locations be open at least eight hours per day.
• Absentee/mail-in voting: SB1 established that an individual voting by absentee/mail-in ballot must include either a driver's license number or the last four digits of a Social Security number on the return envelope for the ballot. SB1 also established that local election officials must give individuals the opportunity to correct absentee/mail-in ballot defects, provided that officials determine "it would be possible for the voter to correct the defect" before polls close on Election Day.
• Voter assistance: SB1 established that an individual assisting a voter must sign a document, under penalty of perjury, attesting that the voter requires assistance due to physical disability or inability to read the ballot language.
• Poll watchers: SB1 established that a poll watcher must "not be denied free movement where election activity is occurring." SB1 also established that election officials who deny access to poll watchers could be subject to criminal prosecution.
• Crimes: SB1 established the following activities as crimes:
  • "In-person interaction with one or more voters, in the presence of the ballot or during the voting process, intended to deliver voters for a specific candidate or measure" in exchange for payment or another benefit.
  • "Unlawful solicitation and distribution of a ballot by mail, which will occur when a public official sends an application to vote by mail to somebody who did not request it."

On August 31, 2021, both the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas State Senate approved SB1. The House voted 80-40, with 80 Republicans voting in favor and 40 Democrats and one Republican voting in opposition. The Senate voted 18-13, with all Republicans voting in favor and all Democrats voting in opposition.^[19]

After the enactment of SB1, several entities filed lawsuits contesting various provisions of the law:

• Houston Justice v. Abbott (U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas; complaint).
• La Union del Pueblo Entero v. Abbott (U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas; complaint).
• Texas State Conference of the NAACP v. Abbott (Harris County District Court; complaint).
• OCA-Greater Houston v. Texas Secretary of State (U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas; complaint).
• Lulac Texas v. Esparza (U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas; complaint).
• United States v. Texas (U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas; complaint).

Election policy ballot measures[edit]

See also: Elections and campaigns on the ballot and List of Texas ballot measures

Ballotpedia has tracked the following ballot measures relating to election and campaign policy in Texas.

1. Texas Proposition 15, Elections for County Surveyors Amendment (1993)
2. Texas Proposition 18, Local Elections With Unopposed Candidates Amendment (September 2003)
3. Texas Proposition 9, Legislative Vacancies Amendment (2001)
4. Texas Proposition 6, Appointment of Presidential Electors Amendment (2001)
5. Texas Proposition 8, State and Local Elections with Unopposed Candidates Amendment (September 2003)
6. Texas Proposition 8, Voting Requirements Amendment (1966)
7. Texas Proposition 2, Election of Railroad Commissioners Amendment (1894)
8. Texas Proposition 2, Citizenship Voting Requirements Amendment (1896)
9. Texas Proposition 1, Poll Tax Payment Amendment (1902)
10. Texas Proposition 7, Qualifications to Vote on Bond Issues Amendment (1932)
11. Texas Proposition 1, Military Poll Tax Exemption Amendment (August 1945)
12. Texas Proposition 4, Poll Tax and Voter Registration Amendment (1949)
13. Texas Proposition 1, Poll Tax Repeal Amendment (1963)
14. Texas Proposition 7, Poll Tax Repeal Amendment (1966)
15. Texas Proposition 14, Voting in the Armed Forces Amendment (1966)
16. Texas Proposition 3, Voter and Election Constitutional Provisions Amendment (1975)
17. Texas Proposition 8, State Debt Ballot Questions Amendment (1991)
18. Texas Proposition 1, Voting in Different Precincts Amendment (July 1915)

Recent legislation related to election administration in Texas[edit]

The table below lists bills related to election administration that have been introduced during (or carried over to) the current legislative session in Texas. The following information is included for each bill:

• State
• Bill number
• Official name or caption
• Most recent action date
• Legislative status
• Topics dealt with by the bill

Bills are organized alphabetically, first by state and then by bill number. The table displays up to 100 results by default. To view additional results, use the arrows in the upper-right corner of the table. For more information about a particular bill, click the bill number. This will open a separate page with additional information.

Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker[edit]

State election laws are changing. Keeping track of the latest developments in all 50 states can seem like an impossible job.

Here's the solution: Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker.

Ballotpedia's Election Administration Tracker sets the industry standard for ease of use, flexibility, and raw power. But that's just the beginning of what it can do:

• Ballotpedia's election experts provide daily updates on bills and other relevant political developments
• We translate complex bill text into easy-to-understand summaries written in everyday language
• And because it's from Ballotpedia, our Tracker is guaranteed to be neutral, unbiased, and nonpartisan

The Ballot Bulletin[edit]

The Ballot Bulletin is a weekly email that delivers the latest updates on election policy. The Ballot Bulletin tracks developments in election policy around the country, including legislative activity, big-picture trends, and recent news. Each email contains in-depth data from our Election Administration Legislation Tracker. You'll also be able to track relevant legislation, with links to and summaries of the bills themselves.

Click here to view recent issues and subscribe.

Ballot access[edit]

See also: Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Texas

In order to get on the ballot in Texas, a candidate for state or federal office must meet a variety of state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. These regulations, known as ballot access laws, determine whether a candidate or party will appear on an election ballot. These laws are set at the state level. A candidate must prepare to meet ballot access requirements well in advance of primaries, caucuses, and the general election.

There are three basic methods by which an individual may become a candidate for office in a state.

1. An individual can seek the nomination of a state-recognized political party.
2. An individual can run as an independent. Independent candidates often must petition in order to have their names printed on the general election ballot.
3. An individual can run as a write-in candidate.

This article outlines the steps that prospective candidates for state-level and congressional office must take in order to run for office in Texas. For information about filing requirements for presidential candidates, click here. Information about filing requirements for local-level offices is not available in this article (contact state election agencies for information about local candidate filing processes).

Redistricting[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Texas

Redistricting is the process by which new congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn. Each of Texas' 38 United States Representatives and 181 state legislators are elected from political divisions called districts. United States Senators are not elected by districts, but by the states at large. District lines are redrawn every 10 years following completion of the United States census. The federal government stipulates that districts must have nearly equal populations and must not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity.^{[44][45][46][47]}

Texas was apportioned 38 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2020 census, two more than it received after the 2010 census. Click here for more information about redistricting in Texas after the 2020 census.

State process[edit]

See also: State-by-state redistricting procedures

In Texas, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the Texas State Legislature. These lines are subject to veto by the governor.^[48]

If the state legislature is unable to approve a state legislative redistricting plan, a backup commission must draw the lines (the backup commission is not involved in congressional redistricting). This backup commission, established in 1948, comprises the following members:^[48]

1. Lieutenant governor
2. Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives
3. Attorney general
4. State comptroller
5. Commissioner of the General Land Office

The Texas Constitution requires that state legislative districts be contiguous and "that they preserve whole counties when population mandates permit."^[48]

Election administration agencies[edit]

Election agencies[edit]

See also: State election agencies

Individuals seeking additional information about voting provisions in Texas can contact the following local, state, and federal agencies.

Texas County Clerks

Click here for a list

Texas Secretary of State, Elections Division

Physical Address: James E. Rudder Building

1019 Brazos St.

Austin, Texas 78701

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 12060

Austin, Texas 78711-2060

Phone: 512-463-5650

Toll free: 1-800-252-8683

Fax: 512-475-2811

Email: elections@sos.texas.gov

Website: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/

Texas Ethics Commission

Physical Address: Sam Houston Building

201 East 14th St., 10th Floor

Austin, Texas 78701

Mailing Address: P. O. Box 12070

Austin, Texas 78711-2070

Phone: 512-463-5800

Email: reception@ethics.state.tx.us

Website: https://www.ethics.state.tx.us

U.S. Election Assistance Commission

633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200

Washington, DC 20001

Phone: 301-563-3919

Toll free: 1-866-747-1471

Email: clearinghouse@eac.gov

Website: https://www.eac.gov

Ballotpedia's election coverage[edit]

Click the tiles below to navigate to 2024 election coverage, or use the map below:

See also[edit]

• 2024 election dates and deadlines
• Voting in Texas
• Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Texas
• Redistricting in Texas

Elections in Texas[edit]

• Texas elections, 2024
• Texas elections, 2023
• Texas elections, 2022
• Texas elections, 2021
• Texas elections, 2020
• Texas elections, 2019
• Texas elections, 2018
• Texas elections, 2017
• Texas elections, 2016
• Texas elections, 2015
• Texas elections, 2014

External links[edit]

• Texas Secretary of State - Elections

Footnotes[edit]

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