First day county chairs may accept applications for a place on the primary ballot for office of county chair.  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 172.023(b).

NOTE: This deadline is also applicable to applications for a place on the primary election ballot to fill a vacancy for an unexpired term in an office of the state or county government that occurred on or before the 10th day before the date of the regular filing deadline.  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 202.004(b).  See entry at December 16, 2013 for precinct and county chair write–in deadline and for Extended Deadlines.

Last day county chairs may accept applications for a place on the ballot for office of county or precinct chair (6 p.m.).  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 172.023(a).

Last day independent candidates may file declaration of intent to run (6 p.m.).  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. §§ 142.002, 172.023(a).

NOTE: The new withdrawal deadline set forth in Section 172.057(a) of the Texas Election Code (1st day after the regular filing deadline) conflicts with the deadline set forth in Section 172.052 of the Texas Election Code (79th day before the general primary election day), which was not amended in 2013 to be consistent with the new law.  We view the new law as prevailing.

Recommended deadline for state chair to certify to Secretary of State for placement on the general primary election ballot the name of each candidate who files with chair an application that complies with Section 172.021(b) of the Texas Election Code on or before December 9, 2013.  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 172.028(a), as amended by House Bill 3103, 2013 Legislative Session.

NOTE: The Texas Election Code does not provide a deadline for state chairs to make their certification.  However, because a new law enacted by the 2013 Legislature requires state chairs to notify county chairs no later than the 81st day before the primary election date that the list of district and statewide candidates for the primary has been posted on Secretary of State’s website, it is reasonable to request state chairs to make the certification no later than December 10, 2013 so that the information can be posted to Secretary of State’s website on or before December 13, 2013, the 81st day before the primary election date.  See entry at December 17, 2013 for certification of candidates who file with state chair an application that complies with Section 172.021(b) of the Texas Election Code on or before the Extended Deadline of December 16, 2013.

Deadline for state chair to notify county chair in each county in which the candidate’s name is to appear on the ballot that certification of candidates who filed on or before December 9, 2013 has been posted by Secretary of State.  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 172.028(b), as amended by House Bill 3103, 2013 Legislative Session.  See entry at December 17, 2013 for supplemental notification of certification of candidates who filed with state chair on or before the Extended Deadline of December 16, 2013.

Deadline for state executive committee to set date, hour, and place for convening state convention.  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. §§ 174.092 & 174.093, as amended by House Bill 3102, 2013 Legislative Session. 

NOTE: Section 174.092(b) of the Texas Election Code provides that state executive committee must set date, hour, and place for convening state convention not later than the date state chair delivers to county chairs certification of names for placement on the general primary ballot.  However, Section 172.028(a) of the Texas Election Code was amended by House Bill 3103, 2013 Legislative Session, to provide that state chair no longer certifies names of the district and statewide candidates for the primary ballot to county chairs.  Instead, state chair certifies candidate names to Secretary of State and Secretary of State posts candidate names on his website.  Section 172.028(b) of the Texas Election Code was amended by House Bill 3103, 2013 Legislative Session, to provide that state chair must notify county chair in each county not later than the 81st day before primary election day that certification has been posted by Secretary of State.  Accordingly, the calendar continues to show the 81st day before primary election day as the deadline for state executive committee to set the date, hour, and place for convening the state convention.

Deadline for state or county chair, as applicable, to receive applications for a place on the general primary election ballot for an unexpired term for a vacancy in an office of the state or county government that occurs after the 10th day (November 30, 2013) before the date of the regular filing deadline, but on or before the 5th day (December 4, 2013) before the date of the regular filing deadline (6 p.m.).  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 202.004(a), (c), as amended by Senate Bill 904, 2013 Legislative Session.  (This deadline is extended by Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 1.006 from the 5th day after the date of the regular filing deadline for the general primary election, which falls on Saturday, December 14.)

Extended Deadline (6 p.m.) for state or county chair to receive an application for a place on the general primary election ballot for an office if a candidate who has made an application that complies with the applicable requirements:

• dies on or after the fifth day before the date of the regular filing deadline (December 4, 2013) and on or before the first day after the date of the regular filing deadline (December 10, 2013);
• holds the office for which the application was made and withdraws or is declared ineligible on the date of the regular filing deadline (December 9, 2013) or on the first day after the date of the regular filing deadline (December 10, 2013); or
• withdraws or is declared ineligible on the date of the regular filing deadline (December 9, 2013) or on the first day after the date of the regular filing deadline (December 10, 2013), 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.  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 172.054(b), as amended by Senate Bills 904 and 910, 2013 Legislative Session.

(This deadline is extended by Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 1.006 from the 5th day after the date of the regular filing deadline for the general primary election, which falls on Saturday, December 14.)

NOTE: An application filed by mail with state chair under this Extended Deadline provision is not timely if received later than 5:00 p.m. on the Extended Deadline.

Deadline for chair to post notice on the commissioners court bulletin board 24 hours preceding date, hour, and place of ballot drawing if ballot drawing is conducted on December 17, 2013.  If party maintains an Internet website, party must post notice on party’s website.  All candidates who provide an email address on their filing form must be notified electronically of drawing.  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 172.082 (e), as amended by House Bill 3103, 2013 Legislative Session.

Recommended deadline for state chair to certify to Secretary of State for placement on the general primary election ballot the name of each candidate who files with chair an application that complies with Section 172.021(b) of the Texas Election Code after December 9, 2013 and on or before December 16, 2013.  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. §§ 172.28(a), 172.029, as amended by House Bill 3103, 2013 Legislative Session.

NOTE: The purpose of this recommendation is to ensure that candidates whose applications are filed in accordance with the Extended Deadlines under Section 202.004(a), (c) of the Texas Election Code, as amended by Senate Bill 904, 2013 Legislative Session, and Section 172.054(b) of the Texas Election Code, as amended by Senate Bills 904 and 910, 2013 Legislative Session, are added to the list of certified candidates previously submitted by state chair to Secretary of State.  See entries at December 10, 2013 and December 18, 2013.

Recommended date for state chair to notify county chair in each county in which the candidate’s name is to appear on the ballot that certification of additional candidates who filed by the Extended Deadline on or before December 16, 2013 has been posted by Secretary of State.  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 172.028(b), as amended by House Bill 3103, 2013 Legislative Session).  See entries at December 10, 2013 and December 17, 2013.

Recommended date for county chair to submit the ballot format to primary committee for its approval, for primary committee to approve ballot format, and for county chair to order ballots.  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. §§ 86.004(b), 172.083.

Last day runoff primary candidates may withdraw from ballot (5 p.m.).  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 172.059.

Deadline (at least 24 consecutive hours before drawing) for county chair to post notice of drawing for place on runoff primary ballot for county and precinct offices to take place immediately after the canvass.  Notice must be posted on the bulletin board used for posting notice of meetings of the commissioners court and on party’s website, if party maintains an Internet website.  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 172.084(d), (e), as amended by House Bill 3103, 2013 Legislative Session.

Ballot drawing conducted immediately following local canvass for candidates involved in runoff primary election for county and precinct offices.  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. §§ 52.094, 172.084.

NOTE: State executive committee may adopt by rule an electronic submission system for delivery of county returns.  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 172.119(b), as amended by House Bill 3103, 2013 Legislative Session.

Recommended day for county chair to post notice of drawing for place on runoff primary ballot for statewide and district candidates to take place after the canvass.  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 172.084(d), (e), as amended by House Bill 3103, 2013 Legislative Session).  See entry at March 16, 2014.  Notice must be posted on the bulletin board used for posting notice of meetings of the commissioners court and, if party maintains an Internet website, on party’s website.

Recommended date for county chair to submit the runoff primary ballot format to primary committee for its approval immediately after drawing, for primary committee to approve runoff primary ballot format, and for county chair to order runoff primary election ballots.  See entry at March 13, 2014.  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 172.083.

Deadline for county chair to deliver certification of nominees for county and precinct offices for places on the November general election ballot to authority preparing the ballot (county election officer).  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 172.117(b).

NOTE:  This will not include offices to be placed on the runoff primary election.

Deadline for county chair to deliver written notice (which may be given by electronic means or through an electronic submission system adopted by state executive committee of party) to state chair and to county election officer of the names of the persons elected as county chair and precinct chairs for the county.  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 172.118, as amended by House Bill 3103, 2013 Legislative Session.

State convention for minor party that is nominating candidates for statewide offices.  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 181.061(a), as amended by Senate Bill 817, 2013 Legislative Session.

NOTE: State executive committee may adopt by rule an electronic submission system for delivery of county returns.  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 172.119(b), as amended by House Bill 3103, 2013 Legislative Session.

Deadline for county chair to deliver certification of nominees elected in the runoff primary election for county and precinct offices for places on the November general election ballot to authority preparing the ballot (county election officer).  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 172.117(b).

Deadline for county chair to deliver written notice (which may be given by electronic means or through an electronic submission system adopted by state executive committee of party) to state chair and to county election officer of the names of the persons elected as county chair and precinct chairs for the county.  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 172.118, as amended by House Bill 3103, 2013 Legislative Session.

Last day candidates may file declaration of write-in candidacy for November 4 general election (5 p.m.).  Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 146.025.