Elections in Texas
Important dates
April 6, 2023 - Last day to register to vote in May election
April 24, 2023- First day of early voting
April 25, 2023 - Last day to apply for ballot by mail
May 2, 2023- Last day of early voting
May 6, 2023 - Election day and postmark deadline for mail ballots
Countdown to Next Election Day
Where do you start?
Follow these steps when trying to figure out if and when you can participate in an upcoming election cycle. Texas has special voting requirements that are more strict than other states.
What does an elected official do?
Each elected official in Texas has a different role that depends on the level of government they serve. Use our tool below to navigate what types of responsibilities every elected official has.
Structure
The federal government is comprised of three different branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Each branch has its own set of responsibilities and powers.
Positions
These are the types of elected officials representing Texas in the federal government.
President
Executive
Term: 4 years up to 2 terms
Number of positions: 1
The President is the highest-ranking elected official in the executive branch. They are responsible for serving as chief of military, appointing heads of executive agencies, signing bills into law, and engaging in national diplomacy, among other duties.
U.S. Senator
Legislative
Term: 6 years
Number of positions: 2
The U.S. Senate makes up one-half of Congress. There are two senators elected from each state. U.S. Senators are responsible for proposing laws, declaring war, ratifying treaties, and approving the President's nominations for agencies and judgeships, among other duties.
Structure
Texas state government is comprised of three different branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Like the federal government, each state branch has its own set of responsibilities and powers.
Positions
These are the types of elected officials representing Texas in state government.
Structure
Generally, county governments have three types of operations: executive, law enforcement, and judicial. Texas has 254 counties, each with their own government. Counties range in size, thus affecting the way each county government is run. Smaller governments combine positions and follow different rules. For example, some small counties have an elected official serving as district and county clerk while larger counties have two elected officials, one as district clerk and one as county clerk.
Positions
These are the types of elected officials representing Texas in county government.
Sheriff
Law Enforcement
Term: 4 years
Number of positions: 254 (14 sheriff/tax-assessors)
The Sheriff is a licensed peace officer that oversees the Sheriff's Department (i.e. county peace officers). They are responsible for managing the county jails, serving warrants, regulating bondspeople in counties without bond boards, and providing security in courts.
Constable
Law Enforcement
Term: 4 years
Number of positions: unknown
Constables are licensed peace officer that has jurisdiction over a certain district within the county. Constables can serve warrants, subpoenas, and temporary restraining orders. Constables can also serve as bailiffs for Justice of the Peace courts.
County Tax Assessor-Collector
Executive
Term: 4 years
Number of positions: 254
The County Tax Assessor-Collector calculates and collects property taxes, processes motor vehicle transfers, issues vehicle and boat registrations, and registers voters. Some Tax Assessor-Collectors collect taxes for localities like cities and school boards.
County Attorney
Executive/Law Enforcement
Term: 4 years
Number of positions: 202
The County Attorney represents Texas in lawsuits in justice of the peace or county courts at law. They are responsible for providing legal advice to the commissioner's court. When a county is too small for a district attorney, the county attorney will handle those responsibilities.
Judge,
County Court at Law
Judicial
Term: 4 years
Number of positions: unknown
County Courts at Law are special jurisdiction courts that oversee whatever legal topic is set for them by the State Legislature. Most County Courts at Law exclusively handle appears from justice of the peace or municipal courts.
County Clerk
Executive
Term: 4 years
Number of positions: 254 (63 district/county clerks)
The County Clerk oversees all records for the county courts at law and the commissioner's courts. County Clerks also handle all property and vital records. County Clerks are the chief election officer in a county.
Community College Trustee
Executive
Term: 4 years
Number of positions: unknown
Community College Trustees govern the actions of community colleges. This is considered a county position because community colleges are normally funded by a county. They are responsible for ensuring quality education is available to students.
District Clerk
Executive
Term: 4 years
Number of positions: 254 (63 district/county clerks)
The District Clerk oversees all records for the district courts. District Clerks also handle passport applications, judgments and filing fees, and jury selection processes. In smaller counties, County Clerks will absorb the duties of District Clerks.
County Treasurer
Executive
Term: 4 years
Number of positions: 254
The County Treasurer oversees the county's finances, like a Chief Finance Officer. They are responsible for all charges and deposits requested by the Commissioner's Court. In counties without a County Auditor, they also handle budget audit duties.
Criminal District Attorney
Law Enforcement
Term: 4 years
Number of positions: unknown
The District Attorney handles all criminal cases within a county. They are responsible for prosecuting and investigating crimes, presenting cases to grand juries, and representing victims in removal proceedings. Some counties don't have district attorneys.
Judge,
District Courts
Judicial
Term: 4 years
Number of positions: 465
District Courts are the trial courts of general jurisdiction in Texas. Each county must be served by at least one district court. Courts in larger counties may be distinguished by legal topic such as family law, probate, civil, and criminal.
Structure
There are two different types of local government: city council and school board. Both entities operate independently from one another.
City councils (also referred to as town councils) manage the local operations of a municipality. The types of laws a municipality will follow depends on the municipality's population. Cities with less than 5,000 residents are given "home-rule" which allows them to make decisions beyond the state's prescribed government code. Mayors serve on city councils. However, the level of power a mayor has depends on the city council's structure. There are two different types of city council structures in Texas: council-manager and mayor-council. A mayor-council structure gives the mayor more power than a city councilmember, allowing them to make appointments and prepare budgets without approval. A council-manager structure gives administrative power to an unelected city manager, leaving the mayor with the same powers as other council members.
School boards manage the operations of a K-12 independent school district. School boards may have officer positions like President, Vice President, and Secretary but their voting power carries the same weight.
Positions
These are the types of elected officials representing Texas in local government.
Mayor
Term: generally 2-4 years
Number of positions: 1,200+
Depending on the type of city council structure, Mayors either serve on the city council or preside over the city council. Mayors engaged in the same municipal responsibilities as city councilmembers.
City Councilmember
Term: generally 2-4 years
Number of positions: unknown
City councils oversee municipal functions like sewage, water, zoning ordinances, and the city budget. If a city council operates with a city manager, then the city manager will assist with administrative tasks and provide recommendations for council approval.
School Board Member
Term: generally 2-4 years
Number of positions: unknown
School board members are responsible for implementing curriculum, overseeing administrative operations, and ensuring quality education is available to students. They can issue local ordinances that govern the rules of the district.
What are the types of elections?
There are three "types" of elections that occur at different times of an election year: primary elections, runoff elections, and general elections. Take a look at the descriptions of each below.
Primary
When? Every other March
Primary elections are elections that narrow down partisan candidates for a general election. Only candidates that are running under a political party (i.e. Democrat or Republican) run in a primary election, even if they are unopposed. A primary election will produce a winning candidate for each party.
Runoff
When? As needed
Runoff elections are elections that occur when a primary or general election does not have a clear winner. There is no clear winner when a candidate does not meet the required number of votes to win. The number of votes required depends on the position sought. Runoffs can occur when the candidate with the most votes ties with another candidate or a candidate did not earn 51% of the vote.
General
When? Every May and November
General elections are elections where the candidate with the most votes wins the position. General elections between partisan candidates occur after a primary. There are three types of general elections: uniform, midterm, and presidential. Uniform elections occur every May and are generally limited to local races. Midterms occur every four years and generally include most countywide and gubernatorial races. Presidential elections occur every four years (two years apart from midterm elections) and named as such because the presidential race is included.