00. First Steps for Candidates Running for a City Office (01-01-2024)First Steps for Candidates Running for a City Office
This quick-start guide for candidates seeking a city office is not intended to provide comprehensive
information. For more details, including information on political advertising requirements, fundraising
rules, and filing schedules, see the Texas Ethics Commission’s (TEC) website at www.ethics.state.tx.us.
1.All candidates must file a Campaign Treasurer Appointment (Form CTA).
All candidates must file Form CTA even if you do not intend to raise or spend any money. Form
CTA is required to be filed before you file an application for a place on the ballot, raise or spend
any money for your campaign, or announce your candidacy. File Form CTA with the city clerk or
city secretary, as applicable.
2.Opposed Candidates: Will you accept or spend more than $1,080* for the election?
•YES:
o You do not qualify to file on the modified reporting schedule.
o You are required to file pre-election campaign finance reports using Form C/OH if
you have an opponent on the ballot. Find Form C/OH and its instructions on our
“Local Filers Non-Judicial Candidate/Officeholder” webpage.
o Pre-election reports are due 30 days and 8 days prior to each election. To be timely
filed, pre-election reports must be received by the city clerk or city secretary no later
than the due date.
•NO:
o You can elect to file on the modified reporting schedule by completing the Modified
Reporting Declaration on page two of Form CTA. File Form CTA with the city clerk
or city secretary.
o If you elect to file on the modified reporting schedule, you do not have to file pre-
election campaign finance reports due 30 days and 8 days prior to the election.
•Exceed $1,080*: If you elect to file on the modified reporting schedule but later exceed
$1,080 in either contributions or expenditures, what reports you will be required to file
depends upon when you exceed $1,080*.
o If you exceed $1,080* on or before the 30th day before the election, you are
required to file pre-election campaign finance reports due 30 days and 8 days prior
to an election using Form C/OH. To be timely filed, pre-election reports must be
received by the city clerk or city secretary no later than the due date. Find Form
C/OH and its instructions on our “Local Filers Non-Judicial Candidate/Officeholder”
webpage.
o If you exceed $1,080* after the 30th day before the election, you are required to file
an Exceeded Modified Reporting Limit report using Form C/OH. To be timely filed,
this report must be filed with the city clerk or city secretary within 48 hours of
exceeding $1,080.* You must also file the pre-election report due 8 days prior to an
election. Find Form C/OH and its instructions on our “Local Filers Non-Judicial
Candidate/Officeholder” webpage. If you exceed $1,080* on or before the 8th day
before the election, you are required to file a pre-election campaign finance report
due 8 days prior to an election using Form C/OH. To be timely filed, the pre-election
Texas Ethics Commission Page 1 Revised 1/1/2024
Texas Ethics Commission Page 2 Revised 1/1/2024
report must be received by the city clerk or city secretary no later than the due date.
Find Form C/OH and its instructions on our “Local Filers Non-Judicial
Candidate/Officeholder” webpage.
3.Unopposed Candidates.
If you do not have an opponent whose name will appear on the ballot in the election, you are
an unopposed candidate and are not required to file pre-election campaign finance reports
prior to that election.
4.All candidates must file semiannual campaign finance reports (Form C/OH).
All candidates are required to file semiannual reports using Form C/OH even if you have no
campaign activity or were unsuccessful in the election. Semiannual reports are due on January
15th and July 15th and must be filed with the city clerk or city secretary. To end your filing
obligations, you must cease campaign activity and file a Final report using Form C/OH and
attaching Form C/OH-FR (Designation of Final Report). Form C/OH-FR is found on the last page
of Form C/OH. Find Form C/OH and its instructions on our “Local Filers Non-Judicial
Candidate/Officeholder” webpage. For more information, see “Ending Your Campaign” for local
filers.
5.All candidates can use the TEC’s Filing Application to prepare campaign finance
reports (Form C/OH).
You can use the TEC’s Filing Application to prepare a PDF version of your campaign finance
report (Form C/OH). Select “Local Authority” and follow the steps to set up an account and
login to the application. Once you have completed your report, print out a copy, add your
treasurer information, get it notarized, and file it with the city clerk or city secretary by the
appropriate deadline.
6.Need More Information?
See the Campaign Finance Guide for Candidates and Officeholders Who File With Local Filing
Authorities, forms, instructions, examples on how to disclose contributions and expenditures,
political advertising and fundraising guides, and other information you may find useful on our
website at www.ethics.state.tx.us under the “Resources” and “Forms/Instructions” main menu
items.
*NOTE: The $1,080 threshold is specific to transactions made in 2024.