WANT TO RUN FOR OFFICE?

Interested in running? Let us know so we can keep you updated on how the redistricting process might affect you, training offerings, staffing support, endorsement opportunities, and more.

All of the information below only applies to federal, state, and county-level offices. For municipal and special district offices, let us know you’re running because we do have special programs for you that we’ll keep you updated on. And then review this guide from the Secretary of State for more information.

AM I ELIGIBLE?

To run for office in Texas you’ll need to meet the basic requirements for the position you’re seeking, including age, residency and other requirements.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

• Texas Secretary of State: Qualifications required to run for office
• Texas Secretary of State: 2022 Candidate’s Guide – Running for Federal, State, District or County offices

Not sure what office you want to run for yet? Our partners at the National Democratic Training Committee have an online training that you can take any time at your own pace to help you decide if running for office is right for you — and what position best suits you.

HOW DO I FILE TO RUN?

If you’re running for a federal, state, or county office, the filing period to appear on the ballot for the March 1, 2022 Democratic primary runs from November 13, 2021 – December 13, 2021 at 6PM.

Because of the delayed redistricting process that impacts every districted office (e.g., county commissioner, state house, state senate, city council in some places), we recommend that you strongly consider paying the filing fee in lieu of gathering petition signatures, if that is an option available to you. Most district lines — and some district numbers — have been changed or are likely to change. Any signature collected before redistricted maps were adopted by the legislature or are adopted by your Commissioner’s Court may be invalid if the voter later is no longer in the district or the district number changes. This does not apply to countywide offices.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

• Find applications to file for office, filing fees and other info from the Secretary of State here.

WHERE DO I FILE?

Who you file with depends on the office you are running for in Texas.

• If you are running for an office situated in only one county, you file to run for office with your local County Democratic Party Chair. (see the listing on this website)
• If you are running for an office covering more than one county, such as a statewide office, U.S. Congress and many state legislative seats, you should file by mail or in-person with the Texas Democratic Party. The appropriate addresses will be available on this page in advance of the opening of the filing period.

Candidates filing with the State Party may do so between November 13 and 6pm CT on December 13, 2021 (if paying filing fee with the State Party, make checks payable to “Texas Democratic Party”):

• By email – If you are filing with petitions rather than a filing fee, you may scan in your candidate application and petition pages and submit them at: txdem.co/help
  • Add your email to the CC option
  • Select Ticket Type: Candidate Support
  • Category: Statewide Candidate (even if you’re not a statewide candidate)
  • You should receive a verification that your application and petitions have been received within 2 business days. It is your responsibility to verify that any petitions submitted this way have been received. Failure of attachments to arrive will result in failure to file timely.
• By mail – You can mail your candidate application and filing fee or signed petitions to:
  • ATTN: Primary Administrator
    Texas Democratic Party
    314 E. Highland Mall Blvd.
    Suite 104
    Austin, TX 78752
  • Note: To be considered timely, all of your filing paperwork and filing fee must be complete and received by the State Party (not postmarked) by 6pm on December 13, 2021.
• In person – The Texas Democratic Party will accept candidate filings in person only at:
  • 314 E. Highland Mall Blvd.
    Suite 104
    Austin, TX 78752
  • The office will be open and candidate filings accepted during the following times between November 13 and December 13, 2021:

Note: We will be closed Wednesday, November 24 – Sunday, November 28 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Filings on weekends or after hours may be available by appointment. Please contact Glen at [email protected] in advance to schedule an appointment.

We will also accept candidate filings at the State Democratic Executive Committee meeting in Laredo on Saturday, December 11, 2021. Exact location and hours TBA. We will post them here by the beginning of that week.

Candidate filings should be complete, including any required notarization, by the time you bring them to our office. However, if necessary, TDP staff may be available to notarize documents. If you need a notary, please contact [email protected] in advance to confirm availability of a notary.

If you have any questions about the filing process, please submit a help ticket at: txdem.co/help and one of our team members will respond within 1 business day.

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