CHAPTER 172. PRIMARY ELECTIONS - Texas Statutes

ELECTION CODETITLE 10. POLITICAL PARTIESSUBTITLE B. PARTIES NOMINATING BY PRIMARY ELECTIONCHAPTER 172. PRIMARY ELECTIONSSUBCHAPTER A. NOMINATING BY PRIMARY ELECTION GENERALLYSec. 172.001. NOMINATING BY PRIMARY ELECTION REQUIRED. Except as otherwise provided by this code, a political party's nominees in the general election for offices of state and county government and the United States Congress must be nominated by primary election, held as provided by this code, if the party's nominee for governor in the most recent gubernatorial general election received 20 percent or more of the total number of votes received by all candidates for governor in the election.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.

Sec. 172.002. NOMINATING BY PRIMARY ELECTION AUTHORIZED. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this code, a political party's nominees in the general election for offices of state and county government and the United States Congress may be nominated by primary election, held as provided by this code, if the party's nominee for governor in the most recent gubernatorial general election received at least two percent but less than 20 percent of the total number of votes received by all candidates for governor in the election.(b) If any nominee of a party is nominated by primary election, none of that party's nominees may be nominated that year by convention.(c) For a political party to be entitled to hold a primary election under this section, the state chair, not later than one year before general election day, must deliver written notice to the secretary of state that the party will hold a primary election in the general election year.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 124, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.003. MAJORITY VOTE REQUIRED. Except as otherwise provided by this code, to receive a political party's nomination, a candidate in a primary election must receive a majority of the total number of votes received by all the candidates for the nomination.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.

Sec. 172.004. RUNOFF PRIMARY. (a) If no candidate for nomination to a particular office receives the vote required for nomination in the general primary election, a runoff primary election shall be held to determine the nomination.(b) The candidates in a runoff for a nomination shall be determined and a tie vote in a runoff resolved as provided by Subchapter B, Chapter 2, for a runoff for an election to office.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.

SUBCHAPTER B. APPLICATION FOR PLACE ON BALLOTSec. 172.021. APPLICATION REQUIRED. (a) To be entitled to a place on the general primary election ballot, a candidate must make an application for a place on the ballot.(b) An application must, in addition to complying with Section 141.031, be accompanied by the appropriate filing fee or a petition in lieu of the filing fee that satisfies the requirements prescribed by Section 141.062. A political party may not require payment of a fee as a condition to applying for a place on the ballot as a candidate for county chair or precinct chair.(c) An application filed by mail is considered to be filed at the time of its receipt by the appropriate authority.(d) The circulation of a petition to be filed under this subchapter in connection with a candidate's application for a place on the ballot does not constitute candidacy or an announcement of candidacy for purposes of the automatic resignation provisions of Article XVI, Section 65, or Article XI, Section 11, of the Texas Constitution.(e) A candidate for an office specified by Section 172.024(a)(8), (10), or (12), or for justice of the peace in a county with a population of more than 850,000, who chooses to pay the filing fee must also accompany the application with a petition for a place on the primary ballot as a candidate for judicial office that complies with the requirements prescribed for the petition authorized by Subsection (b), except that the minimum number of signatures that must appear on the petition required by this subsection is 250. If the candidate chooses to file the petition authorized by Subsection (b) in lieu of the filing fee, the minimum number of signatures required for that petition is increased by 250. Signatures on a petition filed under this subsection or Subsection (b) by a candidate covered by this subsection may not be obtained on the grounds of a county courthouse or courthouse annex.(f) A political party's state executive committee by rule may require that an application for the office of county chair be accompanied by a nominating petition containing the signatures of at least 10 percent of the incumbent precinct chairs serving on the county executive committee.(g) A candidate for the office of chief justice or justice, supreme court, or presiding judge or judge, court of criminal appeals, who chooses to pay the filing fee must also accompany the application with a petition that complies with the requirements prescribed for a petition authorized by Subsection (b), except that the minimum number of signatures that must appear on the petition required by this subsection is 50 from each court of appeals district.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1986, 69th Leg., 3rd C.S., ch. 14, Sec. 9, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 54, Sec. 13(b), eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 90, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, Sec. 7.09, eff. Aug. 28, 1989; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 265, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 728, Sec. 64, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 125, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 5.13, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 219, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 883, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003.

Sec. 172.022. AUTHORITY WITH WHOM APPLICATION FILED. (a) An application for a place on the general primary election ballot must be filed with:(1) the state chair, for an office filled by voters of more than one county; or(2) the county chair or the secretary, if any, of the county executive committee, for an office filled by voters of a single county.(b) Not later than the day before the last day of the filing period, the county chair shall post on the bulletin board used for posting notice of meetings of the commissioners court a notice of the address at which the county chair or secretary will be available to receive applications on the last day of the filing period. If both the county chair and the secretary will be available, the notice must contain the address at which each will be available. Section 1.006 does not apply to this subsection.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 728, Sec. 65, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 126, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 204, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 172.023. REGULAR FILING PERIOD. (a) An application for a place on the general primary election ballot must be filed not later than 6 p.m. on January 2 in the primary election year unless the filing deadline is extended under Subchapter C.(b) An application, other than an application for the office of precinct chair, may not be filed earlier than the 30th day before the date of the regular filing deadline. An application for the office of precinct chair may not be filed earlier than the 90th day before the date of the regular filing deadline.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1986, 69th Leg., 3rd C.S., ch. 14, Sec. 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 127, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.024. FILING FEE. (a) The filing fee for a candidate for nomination in the general primary election is as follows:

(1) United States senator

$5,000

(2) office elected statewide, except United States senator

3,750

(3) United States representative

3,125

(4) state senator

1,250

(5) state representative

750

(6) member, State Board of Education

300

(7) chief justice or justice, court of appeals, other than a

justice specified by Subdivision (8)

1,875

(8) chief justice or justice of a court of appeals that

serves a court of appeals district in which a county with a

population of more than 750,000 is wholly or partly situated

2,500

(9) district judge or judge specified by Section 52.092(d) for

which this schedule does not otherwise prescribe a fee

1,500

(10) district or criminal district judge of a court in a

judicial district wholly contained in a county with a

population of more than 850,000

2,500

(11) judge, statutory county court, other than a judge

specified by Subdivision (12)

1,500

(12) judge of a statutory county court in a county with a

population of more than 850,000

2,500

(13) district attorney, criminal district attorney, or county

attorney performing the duties of a district attorney

1,250

(14) county commissioner, district clerk, county clerk, sheriff, county tax assessor-collector, county treasurer, or judge, constitutional county court:

(A) county with a population of 200,000 or more

1,250

(B) county with a population of under 200,000

750

(15) justice of the peace or constable:

(A) county with a population of 200,000 or more

1,000

(B) county with a population of under 200,000

375

(16) county surveyor

75

(17) office of the county government for which this schedule

does not otherwise prescribe a fee

750

(b) If a fee prescribed by Subsection (a) is declared invalid by a final judgment of a court, the secretary of state shall prescribe a filing fee consistent with the judgment to replace the invalidated fee.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 54, Sec. 14(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 90, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 265, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1316, Sec. 36, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 142, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1229, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 37, Sec. 3, eff. May 19, 2009.Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 506, Sec. 5.33, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 172.025. NUMBER OF PETITION SIGNATURES REQUIRED. The minimum number of signatures that must appear on the petition authorized by Section 172.021(b) is:(1) 5,000, for a statewide office; or(2) for a district, county, or precinct office, the lesser of:(A) 500; or(B) two percent of the total vote received in the district, county, or precinct, as applicable, by all the candidates for governor in the most recent gubernatorial general election, unless that number is under 50, in which case the required number of signatures is the lesser of:(i) 50; or(ii) 20 percent of that total vote

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 54, Sec. 13(c), eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 90, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 496, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Sec. 172.026. RESTRICTION ON PETITION SIGNER. On signing a petition to be filed under Section 172.021, the signer becomes ineligible to vote in a primary election or participate in a convention of another political party during the voting year in which the primary election is held.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 54, Sec. 13(c), eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 90, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Sec. 172.027. STATEMENT ON PETITION. The following statement must appear at the top of each page of a petition to be filed under Section 172.021: "I know that the purpose of this petition is to entitle (insert candidate's name) to have his or her name placed on the ballot for the office of (insert office title, including any place number or other distinguishing number) for the (insert political party's name) primary election. I understand that by signing this petition I become ineligible to vote in a primary election or participate in a convention of another party, including a party not holding a primary election, during the voting year in which this primary election is held."

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 54, Sec. 13(c), eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 90, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 128, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.028. STATE CHAIR'S CERTIFICATION OF NAMES FOR PLACEMENT ON GENERAL PRIMARY BALLOT. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (c), the state chair shall certify in writing for placement on the general primary election ballot the name of each candidate who files with the chair an application that complies with Section 172.021(b).(b) Not later than the 57th day before general primary election day, the state chair shall deliver the certification to the county chair in each county in which the candidate's name is to appear on the ballot.(c) A candidate's name may not be certified:(1) if, before delivering the certification, the state chair learns that the name is to be omitted from the ballot under Section 172.057; or(2) for an office for which the candidate's application is invalid under Section 141.033.(d) A copy of each certification shall be made available on request, without charge, to each newspaper published in this state and to each licensed radio and television station in this state.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1. eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1986, 69th Leg., 3rd C.S., ch. 14, Sec. 11, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 129, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.029. LIST OF CANDIDATES. (a) For each general primary election, the state chair and each county chair shall prepare a list containing:(1) the name of each candidate who files an application for a place on the ballot with the chair, as the name is to appear on the ballot;(2) the candidate's address as shown on the application; and(3) the date on which the candidate filed the application.(b) The candidates' names must be grouped on the list according to office.(c) Not later than the 10th day after the date of the regular filing deadline for candidates' applications, the state chair shall deliver the chair's list to the secretary of state, and each county chair shall deliver a copy of the chair's list to the county clerk, the state chair, and the secretary of state.(d) A candidate's name must be omitted from the list if, before delivery of the list, the candidate withdraws, dies, or is declared ineligible, or if the candidate's application is determined not to comply with the applicable requirements.(e) The secretary of state and each county clerk shall retain each list received until the day after general primary election day.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 130, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 360, Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.

SUBCHAPTER C. WITHDRAWAL, DEATH, AND INELIGIBILITY OF CANDIDATESec. 172.051. WITHDRAWAL, DEATH, OR INELIGIBILITY GENERALLY. With respect to withdrawal, death, or ineligibility of a candidate in a primary election, this subchapter supersedes Subchapter A, Chapter 145, to the extent of any conflict.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., Ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.

Sec. 172.052. WITHDRAWAL FROM GENERAL PRIMARY. (a) A candidate for nomination may not withdraw from the general primary election after the 62nd day before general primary election day.(b) A withdrawal request for the general primary must be filed with the authority with whom the withdrawing candidate's application for a place on the ballot is required to be filed.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1986, 69th Leg., 3rd C.S., ch. 14, Sec. 12, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Sec. 172.053. ADMINISTRATIVE DECLARATION OF INELIGIBILITY AFTER POLLS CLOSE. Except for a judicial action in which a candidate's eligibility is in issue, after the polls close on primary election day and before the final canvass for the office sought by the candidate is completed, a candidate for nomination may be declared ineligible only by the presiding officer of the primary's final canvassing authority for that office.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.

Sec. 172.054. EXTENDED FILING DEADLINE. (a) The deadline for filing an application for a place on the general primary election ballot is extended as provided by this section if a candidate who has made an application that complies with the applicable requirements:(1) dies on or after the fifth day before the date of the regular filing deadline and on or before the 62nd day before general primary election day;(2) holds the office for which the application was made and withdraws or is declared ineligible on or after the date of the regular filing deadline and on or before the 62nd day before general primary election day; or(3) withdraws or is declared ineligible during the period prescribed by Subdivision (2), and at the time of the withdrawal or declaration of ineligibility no other candidate has made an application that complies with the applicable requirements for the office sought by the withdrawn or ineligible candidate.(b) An application for an office sought by a withdrawn, deceased, or ineligible candidate must be filed not later than 6 p.m. of the 60th day before general primary election day. An application filed by mail with the state chair is not timely if received later than 5 p.m. of the 60th day before general primary election day.(c) An extension of the filing deadline under this section applies only to the primary election of the political party for which the withdrawn, deceased, or ineligible candidate applied for a place on the ballot.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1986, 69th Leg., 3rd C.S., ch. 14, Sec. 13, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 131, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.055. PUBLIC NOTICE OF EXTENDED FILING. (a) If the deadline for filing applications is extended, notice of the extended filing shall be given as provided by this section.(b) The authority with whom the withdrawn, deceased, or ineligible candidate's application was filed shall prepare a notice identifying the candidate and the office for which the filing deadline is extended and stating the extended deadline.(c) Not later than 24 hours after the candidate withdraws or is declared ineligible or after the authority preparing the notice learns of the candidate's death, as applicable, the authority shall deliver a copy of the notice to:(1) at least one daily newspaper published in the county or, if none, at least one weekly newspaper published there, if any, for a notice prepared by the county chair;(2) at least three daily newspapers that regularly maintain a news representative at the State Capitol, for a notice applicable to a statewide office; or(3) at least one daily newspaper published in each county wholly or partly situated in the district or, if none, at least one weekly newspaper published there, if any, for a notice prepared by the state chair for a district office.(d) A county or state chair's failure to perform a duty prescribed by this section is cause for the officer's removal by the executive committee over which the chair presides.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1986, 69th Leg., 3rd C.S., ch. 14, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 132, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.056. SUPPLEMENTAL LIST OF CANDIDATES. (a) If the deadline for filing applications is extended, a list shall be prepared, as provided by Section 172.029 for a list of candidates who file during the regular filing period, containing the name of each candidate:(1) who files an application that complies with the applicable requirements during the extended filing period; and(2) whose name is not on the list prepared under Section 172.029.(b) The list prepared under this section is subject to the requirements prescribed by Section 172.029 except that the list must be delivered to the secretary of state, county clerk, and state chair, as applicable, not later than the seventh day after the date of the extended deadline.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 133, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.057. WITHDRAWN, DECEASED, OR INELIGIBLE CANDIDATE'S NAME OMITTED FROM GENERAL PRIMARY BALLOT. A candidate's name shall be omitted from the general primary election ballot if the candidate withdraws, dies, or is declared ineligible on or before the 62nd day before general primary election day.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1986, 69th Leg., 3rd C.S., ch. 14, Sec. 15, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Sec. 172.058. DECEASED OR INELIGIBLE CANDIDATE'S NAME TO APPEAR ON GENERAL PRIMARY BALLOT. (a) If a candidate who has made an application for a place on the general primary election ballot that complies with the applicable requirements dies or is declared ineligible after the 62nd day before general primary election day, the candidate's name shall be placed on the ballot and the votes cast for the candidate shall be counted and entered on the official election returns in the same manner as for the other candidates.(b) If the deceased or ineligible candidate receives the vote required for nomination, the appropriate executive committee may select the nominee and certify the nominee's name for placement on the general election ballot as provided by Subchapter B, Chapter 145, for filling a vacancy in a nomination.(c) In a race in which a runoff is required, if the deceased or ineligible candidate received the vote that would entitle the candidate to a place on the runoff primary ballot or tied for that number of votes, the candidates in the runoff shall be determined in the regular manner but without regard to the votes received by the deceased or ineligible candidate.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1986, 69th Leg., 3rd C.S., ch. 14, Sec. 16, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 54, Sec. 24(a), (b), eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 134, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.059. WITHDRAWAL FROM RUNOFF PRIMARY. (a) A candidate for nomination may not withdraw from the runoff primary election after 5 p.m. of the 10th day after general primary election day.(b) A withdrawal request for the runoff primary must be filed with the state chair, for a statewide or district office, or with the county chair, for a county or precinct office.(c) If a runoff candidate withdraws, the remaining candidate is the nominee and the runoff election for that office is not held.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 135, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.060. DECEASED OR INELIGIBLE CANDIDATE'S NAME TO APPEAR ON RUNOFF PRIMARY BALLOT. (a) If a runoff primary candidate dies or is declared ineligible before runoff primary election day, the candidate's name shall be placed on the ballot.(b) If a deceased or ineligible candidate receives the vote required for nomination, the appropriate executive committee may select the nominee and certify the nominee's name for placement on the general election ballot as provided by Subchapter B, Chapter 145, for filling a vacancy in a nomination.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.

Sec. 172.061. CANDIDATE FOR PARTY OFFICE. (a) Except for Sections 172.058(b), 172.059(c), and 172.060(b), this subchapter applies to a candidate for county chair or precinct chair.(b) If a runoff candidate for county chair or precinct chair withdraws, the remaining candidate is considered to be elected and the runoff election for that office is not held.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 136, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

SUBCHAPTER D. BALLOTSec. 172.081. PRIMARY COMMITTEE. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a primary committee is established in each county having a county executive committee. The primary committee consists of:(1) the county chair; and(2) four other members of the county executive committee, appointed by the county chair subject to the executive committee's approval.(b) The county executive committee by resolution may provide that the primary committee consist of more or fewer than five members or that a primary committee not be established. If a primary committee is not established, the county chair shall perform the duties of the primary committee prescribed by this chapter unless the county executive committee designates another member of the committee for that purpose.(c) The county chair serves as chair of the primary committee.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 137, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.082. ORDER OF NAMES ON GENERAL PRIMARY BALLOT: REGULAR DRAWING. (a) The order of the candidates' names on the general primary election ballot for each county shall be determined by a drawing.(b) The county executive committee shall conduct the drawing unless it provides by resolution that the drawing be conducted by the primary committee.(c) The drawing shall be conducted at the county seat not later than the 53rd day before general primary election day.(d) Each candidate affected by a drawing is entitled to be present or have a representative present at the drawing.(e) The county chair shall post notice of the date, hour, and place of the drawing for at least 24 consecutive hours immediately before the drawing begins. The notice shall be posted on the bulletin board used for posting notice of meetings of the commissioners court.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1986, 69th Leg., 3rd C.S., ch. 14, Sec. 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 138, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.083. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF BALLOT BY PRIMARY COMMITTEE. Before having the official ballots for a general primary election printed, the county chair shall submit the format for the official ballot to the primary committee for its review and approval.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 139, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.084. ORDER OF NAMES ON RUNOFF PRIMARY BALLOT. (a) Except as provided by this section, the order of the candidates' names on the runoff primary election ballot for each county shall be determined by a drawing conducted in the same manner as the regular drawing for position on the general primary election ballot.(b) The drawing for candidates for county and precinct offices shall be conducted at the place at which the local canvass of the general primary election is conducted, immediately following the canvass.(c) The primary committee shall conduct the drawing for candidates for statewide and district offices at the county seat at a time designated by the county chair.(d) The county chair shall post notice of the date and hour of the drawing for candidates for statewide and district offices:(1) for at least 24 consecutive hours immediately before the drawing begins; and(2) not earlier than the day after the date the state executive committee convenes to canvass the results of the general primary.(e) The notice required by Subsection (d) shall be posted on the bulletin board used for posting notice of meetings of the commissioners court.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 140, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.085. NAME OF PARTY ON BALLOT. The name of the political party holding a primary election shall be placed at the top of the primary ballot.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.

Sec. 172.086. PLEDGE ON BALLOT. 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."

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.

Sec. 172.087. REFERENDUM ORDERED BY STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The state executive committee may provide by resolution that a proposal to include a demand for specific legislation or any other matter in the party's platform or resolutions be submitted to a vote by placement on the general primary election ballot. The state executive committee shall prescribe the wording of the proposition submitting a proposal.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.

Sec. 172.088. VOTER PETITION FOR REFERENDUM. (a) Voters by petition may require that a proposal to include a demand for specific legislation or any other matter in a political party's platform or resolutions be submitted to a vote in the party's general primary election by placement on the general primary election ballot.(b) Subject to Subsection (c), a petition under this section must satisfy the requirements prescribed by Section 141.062 for a candidate's petition and must state the proposal that is to be submitted. The petition is otherwise subject to the applicable provisions of Subchapter C, Chapter 141, except as provided by this section.(c) A political party by rule may provide for restricting petition signers on the basis of party alignment or preference.(d) The petition must be filed with the state chair of the political party holding the primary to which the petition applies before the date of the regular filing deadline for candidates' applications for a place on the primary ballot.(e) The minimum number of signatures that must appear on the petition is five percent of the total vote received by all candidates for governor in the party's most recent gubernatorial general primary election.(f) A signer's voter registration is not required to be in any particular territory.(g) The state executive committee shall prescribe the wording of the proposition submitting a proposal.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 141, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.089. ORDER OF PARTY OFFICES ON BALLOT. The party offices of county chair and precinct chair shall be listed on the primary election ballot after the public offices with the office of county chair listed first.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 142, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.090. SEPARATE BALLOT FOR OFFICE OF PRECINCT CHAIR. (a) In a primary election in which election precincts are consolidated, the county executive committee may provide by resolution, order, or other official action for voting in a consolidated precinct by separate paper ballot for the office of precinct chair.(b) The separate paper ballot for precinct chair must conform to the applicable standards governing regular paper ballots, except that the ballot shall be limited to the office of precinct chair.(c) The secretary of state shall prescribe the form of the ballot for precinct chair consistent with this section.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 143, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

SUBCHAPTER E. CONDUCT OF ELECTIONSec. 172.111. CONDUCT OF PRIMARY ELECTION GENERALLY. (a) With respect to the conduct of a primary election, this subchapter supersedes Title 6 to the extent of any conflict.(b) The county executive committee shall supervise the overall conduct of a primary election in each county.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.

Sec. 172.1111. POSTING NOTICE OF PRECINCT CONVENTION REQUIRED. (a) Before the opening of the polls, the presiding judge shall post at each outside door through which a voter may enter the building in which the polling place is located a written notice in bold print of the date, hour, and place for convening the precinct convention.(b) The judge is not required to use an officially prescribed form for the notice.(c) The notice must remain posted continuously through election day.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 472, Sec. 44, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1349, Sec. 61, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1350, Sec. 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.1112. NOTICE OF ELECTION. (a) The county chair shall post a notice of the election and a notice of consolidated precincts, if applicable, in the manner prescribed by Section 4.003(b) for general and special elections. The notice of the election shall be posted on the bulletin board used for posting notice of meetings of the commissioners court.(b) The requirements prescribed by Section 4.004 for the contents of the notice of a general or special election apply to the notice of election required by Subsection (a).

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 479, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Renumbered from Election Code Sec. 172.1111 by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, Sec. 7.11, eff. Aug. 28, 1989. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 144, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.112. WRITE-IN VOTING. Write-in voting in a primary election is not permitted except in the general primary election for the offices of county chair and precinct chair.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 145, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.113. UNOFFICIAL TABULATION OF PRECINCT RESULTS. (a) The county chair shall prepare the unofficial tabulation of precinct results.(b) When the general custodian of election records for the primary opens the precinct election records from the various polling places, the custodian shall deliver the precinct returns to the county chair for the purpose of preparing the unofficial tabulation.(c) When the county chair receives precinct returns from the general custodian, the county chair shall enter the appropriate information on the unofficial tabulation and immediately return the precinct returns to the custodian.(d) The county chair shall make the periodic announcements of the current state of the tabulation.(e) On completing the tabulation, the county chair shall deliver it to the general custodian.(f) A person employed to assist in the preparation of the unofficial tabulation is entitled to compensation at the same rate as an election clerk serving in the election.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 146, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.114. DISPOSITION OF POLL LIST. The general custodian of election records shall preserve the poll lists maintained for a primary election until the end of the voting year in which the primary election is held.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.

Sec. 172.1141. LIST OF REGISTERED VOTERS FOR CONVENTION. At the same time the acceptance of each voter for voting in the general primary election is indicated on the precinct list of registered voters furnished for use in the election, the acceptance of the voter shall also be indicated on the list furnished for use in the party's conventions.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 501, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Sec. 172.115. DISPOSITION OF LIST OF REGISTERED VOTERS. (a) Subject to Subsection (b), the voter registrar shall preserve each precinct list of registered voters that is used for a primary election until the end of the voting year in which the primary election is held.(b) The registrar shall return each list that is to be used in a subsequent primary election to the authority responsible for distributing the election supplies not earlier than the fourth day before the date it is needed for the subsequent primary.(c) The presiding judge shall retain and provide at the appropriate time the list of registered voters to be used in the party's conventions.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 54, Sec. 12(b), eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 501, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Sec. 172.116. LOCAL CANVASS. (a) The county executive committee shall canvass the precinct election returns for the county.(b) The committee shall convene to conduct the local canvass at the county seat on the second Thursday after election day at the hour specified by the county chair.(c) Except as provided by this section, the procedure for conducting the canvass is the same as that prescribed by this code for a local canvass of a general election.(d) The tabulation of results must be a separate document.(e) Not later than the 20th day after the date the local canvass is completed, the county chair shall deliver the committee's tabulation to the general custodian of election records, who shall preserve it for the period for preserving the precinct election records.(f) The local canvass is open to the general public.(g) The official result of the primary election, except for offices canvassed at the state level, is determined from the local canvass of precinct returns.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1986, 69th Leg., 3rd C.S., ch. 14, Sec. 18, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 275, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 728, Sec. 66, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 147, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1315, Sec. 52, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1235, Sec. 15, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 172.117. CERTIFICATION OF NOMINEES FOR COUNTY AND PRECINCT OFFICES FOR PLACEMENT ON GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT. (a) The county chair shall certify in writing for placement on the general election ballot the name and address of each primary candidate who is nominated for a county or precinct office.(b) Not later than the 20th day after the date the local canvass is completed, the county chair shall deliver the certification to the authority responsible for having the official general election ballot prepared.(c) A candidate's name may not be certified if, before delivering the certification, the county chair learns that the name is to be omitted from the ballot under Section 145.035.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 148, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.118. NOTICE OF PERSONS ELECTED AS PARTY OFFICERS. (a) Not later than the 20th day after the date the local canvass is completed, the county chair shall deliver written notice to the state chair and to the county clerk of the names of the persons elected as county chair and precinct chairs for the county.(b) The notice must include each party officer's address and each precinct chair's precinct number.(c) The county clerk shall preserve the notice until the county clerk receives notice of the party officers elected at the succeeding primary election.(d) On request of the secretary of state, the state chair shall deliver to the secretary written notice of the names and addresses of the party's county chairs.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 149, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.119. COUNTY ELECTION RETURNS. (a) The county chair shall prepare county election returns for the statewide and district offices voted on in a primary election in the same manner as the county returns for a general election are prepared by the county clerk except that separate returns for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor are not prepared.(b) The county chair shall deliver the county returns and retain a copy in the same manner as the county returns for a general election are delivered and retained by the county clerk except that the delivery shall be made to the state chair.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 150, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.120. STATE CANVASS. (a) The state executive committee shall canvass the county election returns.(b) The state executive committee shall convene to conduct the state canvass for the general primary election not later than:(1) the second Sunday after general primary election day, for an election in which three or more candidates are seeking election to the same office; or(2) the 22nd day after general primary election day, for an election not described by Subdivision (1).(b-1) Not later than the third Saturday after runoff primary election day, the committee shall convene at the call of the state chair to conduct the state canvass of the runoff primary election.(c) In a primary election year and before general primary election day, the state executive committee by written resolution shall determine the place for conducting the state canvass.(d) Except as provided by this section, the procedure for conducting the canvass is the same as that prescribed by this code for a canvass by the governor.(e) A separate tabulation of results for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor is not made.(f) Not later than the 20th day after the date the state canvass is completed, the state chair shall deliver the committee's tabulation to the secretary of state, who shall preserve it for the period for preserving the precinct election records.(g) The state canvass is open to the general public.(h) The official result of the primary election for offices canvassed by the state executive committee is determined from its canvass of the county returns.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1986, 69th Leg., 3rd C.S. ch. 14, Sec. 19, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 54, Sec. 21(a), (b), eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 163, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 151, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1235, Sec. 16, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 172.121. CERTIFICATION OF CANDIDATES FOR STATEWIDE AND DISTRICT OFFICES FOR PLACEMENT ON RUNOFF BALLOT. (a) The state chair shall certify in writing for placement on the runoff primary election ballot the name of each general primary candidate for a statewide or district office who is to be a candidate in the runoff.(b) The state chair shall deliver the certification to the county chair in each affected county as soon as practicable after the state canvass of the general primary election is completed.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 152, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.122. CERTIFICATION OF NOMINEES FOR STATEWIDE AND DISTRICT OFFICES TO SECRETARY OF STATE. (a) The state chair shall certify in writing as the party's nominee the name and address of each primary candidate who is nominated for a statewide or district office.(b) Not later than the 20th day after the date the state canvass is completed, the state chair shall deliver the certification to the secretary of state.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 153, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.123. ENTERING PRIMARY RESULTS IN ELECTION REGISTER. (a) The county clerk shall enter the precinct results for the primary election in the election register maintained for the commissioners court.(b) The secretary of state shall enter the primary election results for statewide and district offices in the election register maintained for the governor.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 163, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.

Sec. 172.124. REPORTING PRECINCT RESULTS TO SECRETARY OF STATE. (a) For each primary election, the county chair shall prepare a report of the number of votes, including early voting votes, received in each county election precinct by each candidate for a statewide office or the office of United States representative, state senator, or state representative, as provided by Section 67.017 for the report of precinct results for a general election.(b) The county chair shall deliver the report to the secretary of state not later than the 30th day after primary election day.(c) Except as otherwise provided by this section, the report is subject to the requirements prescribed by Section 67.017 for the report prepared for a general election.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 54, Sec. 2(d), eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 114, Sec. 13, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 203, Sec. 2.64; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 554, Sec. 35, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 154, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 172.125. ADDITIONAL PROCEDURE FOR ACCEPTING VOTERS IN RUNOFF. (a) For a runoff primary election, the voter registrar shall enter on the list of registered voters a notation beside each voter's name indicating the preceding party primary for which the voter was accepted for voting, if any.(b) An election officer at a runoff primary election polling place shall determine whether the name of a voter offering to vote is noted on the list as having been accepted for voting in another party's primary. If the voter's name is so noted, the voter may not be accepted for voting at the runoff unless the voter executes an affidavit stating that the voter did not vote in the primary or participate in a convention of another party during the same voting year.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 728, Sec. 67, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Sec. 172.126. JOINT PRIMARIES AUTHORIZED. (a) The primary elections in a county may be conducted jointly at the regular polling places designated for the general election for state and county officers. The county clerk shall supervise the overall conduct of the joint primary elections. This section applies to the conduct of joint primary elections notwithstanding and in addition to other applicable provisions of this code. The decision to conduct a joint general primary election or runoff primary election, as applicable, must be made by majority vote of the full membership of the commissioners court and with the unanimous approval of the county clerk and the county chair of each political party required to nominate candidates by primary election.(b) The county clerk shall determine whether to consolidate election precincts under Section 42.009 and shall designate the location of the polling place in a consolidated precinct. To the extent possible, a polling place shall be designated that will accommodate the precinct conventions of each political party. If a polling place, whether for a regular or consolidated precinct, is not suitable for more than one precinct convention, the polling place may be used by the party whose candidate for governor received the most votes in the county in the most recent gubernatorial general election.(c) One set of election officers shall conduct the primary elections at each polling place. Not later than the second Monday in December preceding the primary elections, each county chair shall deliver to the county clerk a list of the names of the election judges and clerks for that party. The presiding judge of each party, or alternate judge if applicable, serves as a co-judge for the precinct. If an eligible presiding co-judge and alternate co-judge cannot be found to serve for a particular party in a precinct, a joint primary may not be conducted in that precinct, and that precinct must be consolidated with another precinct that has an eligible presiding co-judge and alternate co-judge to serve for each party. The county clerk shall appoint the election clerks in accordance with rules prescribed by the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall prescribe the maximum number of clerks that may be appointed for each precinct. The early voting ballot board and any central counting station shall also be composed of and administered by one set of election officers that provides representation for each party, and the secretary of state by rule shall prescribe procedures consistent with this subsection for the appointment of those officers.(d) Each co-judge has the law enforcement duties and powers provided under Section 32.075. Each co-judge has the exclusive authority to conduct challenges on the eligibility of voters, tabulate the votes, and deliver the election returns in the primary of the party with which that judge is affiliated or aligned.(e) A written certification of the candidates' names that are to appear on the primary ballot shall be delivered to the county clerk in accordance with rules prescribed by the secretary of state.(f) The county clerk shall determine the ballot format and voting system for each election precinct and shall procure the election equipment and supplies.(g) A separate set of ballot boxes or other suitable containers approved by the secretary of state shall be used for each party's primary, except that one set of ballot boxes or other containers may be used in a joint primary using an electronic voting system in which the ballots are deposited by the voters directly into a unit of automatic tabulating equipment. The lists of registered voters and the voters' registration certificates shall be marked and stamped to show the appropriate party affiliation for each voter. A separate list of registered voters shall be used for each party's primary. The secretary of state by rule shall prescribe requirements to ensure that one party's ballot is readily distinguished from another's, which may include the use of different colors of ink.(h) Separate election returns shall be prepared for each party's primary and shall be canvassed as provided by this code.(i) The secretary of state by rule shall prescribe the procedures necessary to implement this section to ensure the orderly and proper administration of joint primary elections.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1349, Sec. 62, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1316, Sec. 37, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Sec. 172.127. CONTENT OF SIGN USED TO IDENTIFY POLLING PLACE LOCATION. (a) This section applies only to a polling place used to hold an election for more than one political party.(b) A sign used to indicate the location of a polling place for a primary election or a primary runoff election must either:(1) not contain the name of, or symbol representing, any political party that is holding an election at the polling place; or(2) contain each name of, or each symbol representing, a political party that is holding an election at the polling place.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 606, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.