11. Election-Calendar-TMCA 2024
TEXAS MUNICIPAL CLERKS CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Election Calendar
For a City’s General Election on November 5, 2024
(last updated June 12, 2024)
Abbreviations in the calendar are the same as those in the Texas Municipal Election Law
Manual (6th edition) [M]. The most recent edition has a green cover.
This calendar does not apply to all elections. For example, to prepare a calendar for a
special election to fill a vacancy in office (even one on a uniform election date), see M §12.03; for
a special election on a measure, see M §12.12. The basic runoff dates are included in this calendar
but see the SOS calendar for more details.
This calendar omits actions that vary from one city to another (for example, preparation of
voting equipment). Each city secretary should use the chart at M §1.62 to create a personal election
calendar. Always verify the latest version of this calendar on the TMCA’s website (under
“publications”).
Dates in column 1 are 2024 unless noted otherwise. Actions in column 2 relate to general
elections (those in italics pertain to early voting). The city secretary typically takes the action, but
deviations appear in column 3. Column 4 is a cross reference to the Elections Manual.
“ED Interval” in column 5 indicates the time between the date of the action and election
day. For example, the notation “-50 in the entry for September 16 means mandatory office hours
begin the 50th day before election day; the notation “+10” in the entry for November 15 means
that the LAST DAY for the presiding judge of the early voting ballot board to mail voters notices
of rejected mail ballots is the 10th day after election day. An asterisk (*) in this column indicates
the time stated is not required by statute. Not all due dates revolve around election day and are so
noted. If a statutory date is moved because of a Saturday, Sunday, or state or national holiday
[M §1.52(b); endnote 6], the resulting date is designated in column 1 with a note in the second
column.
The last column has been reserved to show completion of the action or event in column 2.
A dashed line in the table between entries indicates separate events that fall on the same day.
When reading the Election Code, the city secretary should remember to read the chapter
and subchapter titles to determine if the section applies to cities.
2
Date Action By or With
Whom Taken M § ED
Interval T
Mon.
Nov. 6
2023
One-year deadline for posting certain
candidacy and other information on the
city’s website. Note: See endnote 1.
-365
Mon.
Jan. 1,
2024
FIRST DAY for application for ballot by
mail (ABBM), annual ABBM, or Federal
Postcard Application (FPCA). Note: The
date does not move despite the New
Year’s Day holiday. Period ends ED -11
days.
City Secretary
Voter
9.44(a) 1st day
of the
year
Thur.
June 20
LAST DAY to post notice on bulletin board
of the filing period for the general
election (SOS Form 2-1).
City Secretary 2.13(d) -138
(30 days
before
1st day
to file)
Sun.
July 7
Recommended* period to obtain forms:
candidate’s application for place on
ballot, appointment of campaign
treasurer (candidate and specific-purpose
committee), report of contributions and
expenditures (candidate-officeholder and
specific-purpose committee), application
for mail ballot, administrative forms, and
precinct forms.
City Secretary 5.31 *-121
July 7
to
Mon.
July 29
Recommended* period to review M
§1.62 for possible action: Steps 1-5
(revising election precincts, designating
polling places, changing method of
voting, and contracting, if any) and Step
12 (establishing or changing terms of
election judges).
City Secretary
and
City Council
1.62
5.42
5.21
5.11
7.42
*-121
through
*-99
Mon.
July 15
LAST DAY for timely filing of semi-annual
report of contributions and expenditures.
City Secretary 3.12(b)
3.16
July 15
Sat.
July 20
FIRST DAY for filing application for place
on general election ballot (SOS Form 2-
49). Note: Filing for a general election
may occur before the election is ordered
(as opposed to a special election). Periods
ends at 5 p.m., ED -78 days.
City Secretary 2.13(a) -108
(30 days
before
filing
deadline)
July 20 FIRST DAY for filing declaration of write-in
candidacy (SOS Form 2-55). Note: Period
ends at 5 p.m. ED -74 days.
City Secretary 2.18(b) -108
3
Date Action By or With
Whom Taken M § ED
Interval T
Thur.
July 25
to
LAST
DAY
Mon.
Aug. 19
Recommended* period and statutory
deadline for ordering a general election
(SOS Form 1-2). Note: There is no
statutory “first day;” avoid confusion and
wait until after the prior election and
runoff. Sometimes the phrase “calling
election” is used. The deadline may be
different for a special election on a
measure. See endnote 2 for mock
student elections. Home-rule cities see
endnote 3. Cities contracting should
informally notify their contracting
partners as soon as possible.
Mayor 6.03 *-103
through
-78
Wed.
Aug. 7
LAST DAY for small city in small county to
apply for exception to accessibility
requirements (SOS Form 16-1).
City Secretary 5.25(c)(3) -90
Fri.
Aug. 16
midnight
Death and ballot preparation: If a
candidate dies on or before this date, the
City Secretary MUST remove the
candidate’s name from ballot. Note: If a
candidate dies after this date but on or
before the filing deadline, see endnote 4.
City Secretary 6.23(c) -81
(day
before
the 2nd
day
before
filing
deadline
(3rd
day))
Mon.
Aug. 19
LAST DAY for ordering a general (SOS
Form 1-2) or special election (SOS Form
1-8) for the uniform date in Nov. of an
even-numbered year. Note: See endnote
2 for mock student elections. Home-rule
cities see endnote 3.
Mayor 6.03
12.03(e)(2)
-78
4
Date Action By or With
Whom Taken M § ED
Interval T
Aug. 19
5 p.m.
LAST DAY for filing application for place
on a general election ballot (SOS Form 2-
49). Note: City Secretary’s office should
stay open until 5 p.m. Mailed applications
are filed on receipt. For deceased
candidates, see endnote 4. If no
candidate has filed by this deadline, it is
not extended in Nov. of even-numbered
years. For special elections to fill a
vacancy in Nov. of even-numbered years,
see the 75th day. A home-rule charter
may not change this date.
City Secretary 2.13(b)
2.14
6.23(c)
-78
Aug. 19 Recommended* last day for notice
designating election precincts and polling
places. Note: These are likely to match
the county’s locations in a November
election.
City Council 5.42(d) *-78
Aug. 19 Recommended* first day to provide 4-
day notice of drawing to candidate. Note:
Only written notice by mail is required
4 days before the drawing, but phone or
email notice should follow the same
timeline. Public notice must be posted
(SOS Form 3-1) 72 hours before date of
drawing.
City Secretary 6.22(a)(2) *-78
Thur.
Aug. 22
6 p.m.
For a special election to fill a vacancy on
Nov. 5, LAST DAY to file an application for
place on the ballot (SOS Form 2-49) or a
declaration of write-in candidacy (SOS
Form 2-55). Note: This deadline only
applies to such elections in Nov. of even-
numbered years. City Secretary’s office
should stay open until 6 p.m. Mailed
applications are filed upon receipt. For
deceased candidates, see endnote 4.
City Secretary 12.03(f) -75
Aug. 22 Recommended* first day for preliminary
work to appoint election judges.
City Secretary 7.01 *-75
Aug. 22 Recommended* first day to post public’s
72-hour notice of drawing for order of
names on ballot (SOS Form 3-1).
City Secretary 6.22(a)(1) *-75
5
Date Action By or With
Whom Taken M § ED
Interval T
Fri.
Aug. 23
5 p.m.
LAST DAY for a write-in candidate to
declare candidacy in the general election
(SOS Form 2-55). Note: City Secretary’s
office should stay open until 5 p.m.
Mailed applications are filed when
received. For deceased candidates, see
endnote 4.
City Secretary 2.18(b)
2.18(c)
-74
Sat.
Aug. 24
Recommended* date to deliver the
certification of unopposed candidates to
city council if a candidate does not have
an opponent in an election considered to
be a separate election (SOS Form 13-1).
City Secretary 6.12 *-73
Sun.
Aug. 25
to
Thur.
Aug. 29
Recommended* period to conduct
drawing for order of names on ballot,
prepare ballot format, and send it to the
printer. Note: Notice of drawing (SOS
Form 3-1) must be posted 72 hours
before drawing. Ask candidates to proof
their names and officers.
City Secretary 6.22(b)
6.25
6.26
*-72
through
*-68
Mon.
Aug. 26
5 p.m.
LAST DAY for omitting a general election
candidate’s name from the ballot if the
candidate withdraws (SOS Form 2-66) or
is declared ineligible. Note: City
Secretary’s office should stay open until
5 p.m. A withdrawal submitted after this
date is valid if it is submitted before the
ballots are prepared AND if the public
notice of the logic and accuracy test has
not been published. Per EC §145.092(e),
EC §1.006 does not apply to withdrawal
deadlines.
City Secretary 2.31(b)
2.31(c)
-71
Aug. 26 Recommended* first day to cancel (SOS
Form 13-2). Note: Unopposed races must
be cancelled if no opposed at-large race
is on the ballot.
City Council 6.13 *-71
Fri.
Sept. 6
to
Tues.
Nov. 5
. Ethics Commission will defer an
investigation of candidates until after
election (or runoff)
City Secretary
Texas Ethics
Commission
3.01(b)(2) -60
through
ED or
runoff
6
Date Action By or With
Whom Taken M § ED
Interval T
Sept. 6 LAST DAY to deliver notice of the election
to the county clerk and voter registrar of
each county where the city is located.
Note: This is not the publication or
posting deadline. For counties with
elections administrators, notice goes to
them.
City Council
(City
Secretary)
6.54(a) -60
Sept. 6 Recommended* day to contact the
county clerk or elections administrator
concerning availability of the initial list of
voters who have submitted annual
applications for ballot by mail (ABBM).
City Secretary 9.43 *-60
Thur.
Sept. 12
to
Mon.
Sept. 23
Recommended* period for appointing
election judges (SOS Forms 4-15, 4-16, 4-
17) plus members of the EVBB (SOS
Forms 4-19) and SVC (SOS Form 10-12,
10-13, 10-14). Note: Home-rule cities see
endnote 3. The SVC cannot meet until ED
– 20 days. The EVBB can meet any time
after ballots are returned and no later
than ED – 9 days.
Mayor
City Council
Early Voting
Clerk
City Secretary
7.42(a)(2)
7.23-.24
7.33-.34
*-54
through
*-43
Sun.
Sept. 15
Recommended* date to print ballots that
have been prepared earlier.
City Secretary 6.25 *-51
Mon.
Sept. 16
FIRST DAY for mandatory office hours.
Note: City Secretary must keep office
open for at least 3 hours a day during
regular office hours on regular business
days. Period ends ED +40 days. See
endnote 6.
City Secretary 6.80(a) -50
Sept. 16 LAST DAY for a challenge of a candidate
application based on form, content, and
procedure.
City Secretary 2.16(d) -50
7
Date Action By or With
Whom Taken M § ED
Interval T
Sat.
Sept. 21
LAST DAY to mail ballots to FCPA voters
and other voters who are eligible for early
voting because they are voting from
outside the United States. Note: If it is not
possible to mail these ballots by this
deadline, the City Secretary must notify
SOS within 24 hours. SOS does not apply
EC §1.006 to this deadline. Respond to
FPCA applications received after this date
within 7 days (the same as non-FPCA
applications). Rosters must be posted to
city website by 11 a.m. on the following
day (SOS Forms 5-7 & 6-55).
City Secretary 9.49(b)
9.81
-45
Sun.
Oct. 6
Recommended* last day to request voter
registrar to prepare lists of registered
voters and furnish statement of residence
forms to be used in conducting the
election.
City Secretary 4.34(a) *-30
Oct. 6 Recommended* day to begin posting the
notice of voting order priority on the
city’s website (SOS Form 7-38).
City Secretary 10.23(c) *-30
Oct. 6
to
Sat.
Oct. 26
Period for publishing notice of election
(SOS Form 1-14). Note: Must be
published at least once; perhaps more for
a special election on a measure. The city
attorney may apply EC §1.006 to
publication deadlines, but SOS does not.
Home-rule cities see endnote 3.
Mayor 6.52(a) -30
through
-10
Mon.
Oct. 7
5 p.m. or
midnight
LAST DAY for filing first report of
campaign contributions and expenditures
by opposed candidates and specific-
purpose committees (commonly called
the “30-day Report”) for the filing period
of July 1 to Sept. 26, 2024. Note: Because
the deadline falls on Sun., it moves to
Mon. City Secretary’s office should stay
open until 5 p.m. The deadline is
extended to midnight for electronic filing.
See endnote 5 for current threshold
dollar amounts.
City Secretary 3.13(b) -30
8
Date Action By or With
Whom Taken M § ED
Interval T
Oct. 7 FIRST DAY to begin posting continuous
notice if SVC meets on first available date
(ED – 20 days). Note: The city council
appoints (SOS Form 10-13) not later than
5 days after the City Secretary calls for
appointment (SOS Forms 10-12). Post
notice of appointment (SOS Form 10-14),
notice of delivery (SOS Form 10-15), and
notice of meeting (SOS Form 10-16).
City Secretary 6.70(a)
7.33
7.34
-30
Oct. 7 LAST DAY for submitting voter
registration application in time to vote at
the election or for requesting transfer of
registration in time to vote in new
precinct not in the same county and
territory. Note: Because the deadline falls
on Sun., it moves to Mon.
Registrar 4.07(f)
4.07(g)
-30
Tues.
Oct. 15
to
Tues.
Nov. 5
at
midnight
LAST DAY for posting notice of election
(SOS Form 1-14) on the bulletin board
used for posting notices of city council
meetings and website. Note: Notice must
include date of election, location of each
polling place, and each candidate and
measure on the ballot Note: For cities
conducting special elections on
measures, additional posting and
publication requirements may apply.
Home-rule cities see endnote 3.
City Secretary 6.52(a)
12.15(e)
-21
through
ED
Wed.
Oct. 16
Type B cities: LAST DAY to post notice of
election in 3 public places (SOS Form 1-
14). Note: EC §1.006 does not apply to
this LGC deadline.
City Secretary 6.52(b)(3) -20
Oct. 16 FIRST DAY SVC may begin work. Note: EC
§1.006 does not apply to the starting
date. EC §87.0271 requires SVC to inform
voters of certain defects in the carrier
envelope within 2 days of identification
(SOS Forms 10-28 to 10-32).
Signature
Verification
Committee
6.70(a)
6.72
-20
Oct. 16 LAST DAY for unregistered FPCA applicant
to apply and be eligible to vote a full
ballot.
City Secretary 9.61(b)
9.68(a)
-20
9
Date Action By or With
Whom Taken M § ED
Interval T
Thur.
Oct. 17
to
Fri.
Oct. 25
Period when unregistered FPCA
applicants receive a federal ballot only.
City Secretary 9.61
9.68
-19
to
-11
Fri.
Oct. 18
LAST DAY for conducting first test of
automatic tabulating and DRE equipment
to be used for early voting. Note: Notice
for tabulating equipment must be
published 48 hours before date of test
(SOS Forms 15-1 to 15-8). Notice for DRE
equipment must be published 48 hours
before test begins. DREs cannot be used
after Sept. 1, 2026 except by disabled
voters.
City Secretary 6.63(d)
6.64(c)
2 days
before
early
voting in
person
starts
Mon.
Oct. 21
FIRST DAY for early voting by personal
appearance. Note: Because the deadline
falls on Sat., it moves to Mon. Rosters
must be posted by 11 a.m. on the day
after voting. Period ends ED – 4 days. If
voting will be conducted on a Sat. or Sun.,
notice of same must be posted at least
72 hours before such voting begins.
City Secretary 9.14 -17
Oct. 21 LAST DAY to accept an FPCA without a
postmark and mail the voter a full ballot.
Note: The voter only gets a federal ballot
if checking “my intent to return is
uncertain” or “my return is uncertain.”
City Secretary 9.66(b) -15
Oct. 21 LAST DAY for notifying judges of duty to
hold the election (SOS Form 4-17).
Mayor 7.44(a) -15
Oct. 21 LAST DAY to challenge write-in candidate
for form, content, and procedure.
City Secretary 2.18(f) -15
10
Date Action By or With
Whom Taken M § ED
Interval T
Thur.
Oct. 24
FIRST DAY a voter who becomes sick,
disabled, or confined due to childbirth on
or after this date may apply for late
(emergency) early voting ballot (SOS
Form 5-32. Note: Period ends at 5 p.m.
on ED. For uniform election dates, the
calculation is ED – 12 days, but for other
elections, the period starts the day
before the last day to apply for a ballot by
mail.
Voter’s Agent
&
EVC
9.72(a) -12
Fri.
Oct. 25
later of
noon or
close of
business
LAST DAY to accept application for a
ballot to be voted by mail, by 12 noon or
close of business, whichever is later.
Note: If the deadline falls on a Sat., Sun.,
or legal holiday, then personal delivery
must be the first regular business day
preceding that day. Originals are due
4 days after fax or email (except emailed
FCPA).
City Secretary 9.44(b)(1)
9.45(b-c)
9.68(a)
-11
Oct. 25 LAST DAY to accept an FPCA. Note: The
unregistered FPCA voter may only get a
federal ballot, which may mean no ballot.
City Secretary 9.61
9.68(a, c)
-11
Oct. 25 LAST DAY for county clerk or elections
administrator to deliver final list of voters
that submitted an annual ABBM.
City Secretary 9.43(a)(2) -11
Sat.
Oct. 26
LAST DAY to publish notice of election.
The city attorney may apply EC §1.006 to
publication deadlines, but SOS does not.
Home-rule cities see endnote 3.
Mayor 6.52(a) -10
Mon.
Oct. 28
If the EVBB has not yet met, it must do so
by this date. Note: Because the deadline
falls on a Sun., it moves to Mon. 24-hour
notice must be posted for each delivery
of voting materials made before election
day (SOS Forms 10-3 & 10-4). The board
may process the materials but may not
count ballots until after the end of early
voting by personal appearance. The
board must provide notice of opportunity
to cure certain defects in the carrier
envelope within 2 days of identifying the
deficiency (SOS Form 10-32).
Early Voting
Ballot Board
9.57(a)(2)
10.03
-9
11
Date Action By or With
Whom Taken M § ED
Interval T
Oct. 28
5 p.m. or
midnight
LAST DAY for filing second report of
campaign contributions and expenditures
by 5 p.m. or midnight if filing
electronically (commonly called the 8-Day
Report) for the reporting period of Sept.
27 to Oct. 26. Note: See endnote 5.
City Secretary 3.13(c) -8
Thur.
Oct. 31
FIRST DAY for death in family to qualify
for late (emergency) early voting (SOS
Forms 5-28 & 5-29). Note: While the
death occurs on or after the day before
the last day of early voting by personal
appearance, the application cannot be
submitted until the day after early voting
by personal appearance ends. Voting by
this method ends close of business the
day before election day
City Secretary 9.73(a) -5
Fri.
Nov. 1
LAST DAY of regular early voting by
personal appearance.
City Secretary 9.11(b) -4
Nov. 1
to
Tues.
Nov. 5
Once early voting by personal appearance
is over until 7 p.m. on ED, early voting
materials may be delivered to the EVBB
for qualifying purposes if paper ballots
are used or if automatically tabulated
ballots are used at a central counting
station. Note: Ballots may not be counted
until election day unless the election is
held jointly with a county of 100,000 or
more. Post notice of delivery
continuously 24 hours before each
delivery (SOS Forms 10-3 & 10-4). Ensure
that the counting equipment has been
tested at least 48 hours before tabulation
begins.
City Secretary
Early Voting
Ballot Board
9.57(a)(1)
9.57(a)(3)
-4
through
close of
polls
Sat.
Nov. 2
LAST DAY for conducting first test of
automatic tabulating or DRE equipment
to be used at a polling place. Note: To
assure 48 hours before 7 a.m. of election
day, test must be by 3rd day. Notice for
tabulating equipment must be published
48 hours before date of test.
City Secretary 6.64(b, c)
6.63(d)
-3
12
Date Action By or With
Whom Taken M § ED
Interval T
Nov. 2
to
Mon.
Nov. 4
Period to apply for late (emergency) early
voting because of death in family (SOS
Forms 5-28 & 5-29). Note: Requires
absence from county on election day.
Period ends the day before ED.
City Secretary 9.73(a) -3
to
-1
Sun.
Nov. 3
Daylight savings time ends. _ _ 1st Sun.
in Nov.
Mon.
Nov. 4
LAST DAY to deliver precinct list of
registered voters, with the early voting
voters marked, to presiding judges and
recommended* date for delivery of
supplies to presiding judges.
City Secretary 9.82(e) -1
Nov. 4 One-year deadline to post certain
information on the city’s website for the
next general election to be held on
Nov. 4, 2025. Note: See endnote 1.
City Secretary 2.13(d)(2) next
Nov.
election
(Nov. 4,
2025) –
365 days
Nov. 4 Recommended* date for delivery of
equipment to polling places. Note: The
statutory deadline is 6 a.m. on election
day.
City Secretary 6.65(b) *-1
Nov. 4 Recommended* date to post notice of
council meeting to canvass the returns if
canvass will be on 3rd day after election.
Note: Notice must be posted at least
72 hours before time of meeting.
City Secretary 11.13 *-1
Tues.
Nov. 5
7 a.m.
to
7 p.m.
ELECTION DAY.
Note: Early voting clerk’s office must
remain open for early voting activities.
Voting by sick or disabled voters may
occur at the main early voting place
where electronic voting systems are used
at precinct polling place (SOS Form 6-57).
City Secretary ch 10
10.13(c)(1)
ED
Nov. 5 Deliver early voting ballots, etc., to EVBB.
Note: Second key to ballot box is
delivered by chief of police or marshal.
City Secretary
Judge EVBB
(sets time)
10.13(c)(1)
9.57(b)(1)
ED
13
Date Action By or With
Whom Taken M § ED
Interval T
Nov. 5
5 p.m.
LAST HOUR for late applications for
ballots (SOS Form 5-32) from voters who
became ill or disabled on or after ED – 12
days. Note: Can still receive ballot until
ED 7 p.m.
City Secretary 9.72(b) ED
Nov. 5
7 p.m.
LAST HOUR for receiving ballots from
voters who became ill or disabled ill or
disabled on or after ED – 12 days.
City Secretary 9.72(b) ED
Nov. 5
7 p.m.
LAST HOUR to receive mailed ballots with
no postmark, except overseas and armed
forces ballots and certain ballots placed
for delivery before this deadline. Note:
Check mailbox at 7 pm regardless of
regular delivery schedule. See deadline
ED +1 day.
City Secretary 9.50(a) ED
Nov. 5
after
7 p.m.
Receive precinct records, voted ballots,
etc. Note: Chief of police or marshal
receives keys to ballot boxes containing
voted ballots.
City Secretary
Mayor
10.13(c)
10.32(d)
ED
Nov. 5
after
7 p.m.
Prepare unofficial tabulation of results.
Note: Presiding judge must notify city
secretary if counting will not be complete
by 2 a.m.
City Secretary 10.34
10.32(b)
ED
Wed.
Nov. 6
5 p.m.
LAST DAY to receive mailed ballots if the
carrier envelope arrives before 5 p.m. and
has a cancellation mark indicating it was
placed for delivery at or before 7 p.m.
local time for the place of election. Note:
This deadline applies to voters who
applied for a ballot by mail and cast a by-
mail ballot from within the U.S. Check
your mailbox at 5 p.m.
City Secretary 9.50(a) +1
Nov. 6 LAST DAY to deliver provisional ballots to
voter registrar of each county in which
city is located.
City Secretary 10.30(a)(2) +1
Nov. 8
to
Sat.
Nov. 16
Recommended* period to complete
report of early votes cast for each
candidate or measure, by election
precinct. Note: must occur before
canvass.
City Secretary 11.04(b) *+3
through
*+11
14
Date Action By or With
Whom Taken M § ED
Interval T
Nov. 8
to
Tues.
Nov. 19
Period for official canvass. Note:
● TIMING: canvass may occur only if all
FPCA and provisional ballots have been
counted, and there are no deficiencies in
mailed ballot carrier envelopes.
● PERIOD: 14 days in even Novembers,
regardless of when EVBB meets.
● QUORUM: 2 but see runoff note.
● WINNER: cannot assume office (accept
Type A cities) until canvass & oaths.
● PIA: images of voted ballots or cast
vote records are publicly available the
day after the canvass. See SOS Advisory
2024-20 for redaction guidance.
● RECOUNTS: petition is due 2 p.m. 1st
day (expedited) or 5 p.m. 3rd day after
canvass.
● RUNOFF (not a tie): order the runoff
not later than 5 days after the canvass. It
is recommended that the runoff be
ordered and notice issued at the canvass
meeting (which would require a normal
quorum).
Mayor
(sets time)
City Secretary
(records
results)
City Council
(takes action)
11.12
6.72
+3
through
+14
Nov. 8
to
Tues.
Nov. 19
After canvass, recommended* period to
issue certificates of election (SOS Form
23-1), official statement of elected officer
(SOS Form 23-3), and oath of office (SOS
Form 23-2). Note: If a recount is
requested documents are not issued until
after the recount.
Mayor
City Secretary
11.20
11.21
*+3
through
*+14
Nov. 8
to
Tues.
Nov. 26
Period for partial manual count of
electronically counted ballots. Note: This
must begin no later than 72 hours after
the polls close on ED and be completed
by ED +21.
City Secretary 11.31 +3
through
+21
Mon.
Nov. 11
Veteran’s Day
(an Election Code holiday)
_ _ -
15
Date Action By or With
Whom Taken M § ED
Interval T
Nov. 11 Type A cites: FIRST DAY elected officials
may qualify and assume duties of office.
Note: LGC §22.006 states 5th day after
election not counting Sun. The resulting
day is the 6th day after. Officials may not
take office until the canvass is complete
unless the election was cancelled. EC
§1.006 does not apply to LGC.
Candidate
with
City Secretary
11.23(a) +6
Doesn’t
move
Tues.
Nov. 12
LAST DAY to receive a ballot from military
or non-military voters casting from
outside the U.S. who submitted an ABBM,
IF cancellation mark indicates ballot was
placed for delivery by 7 p.m. on ED. Note:
Because the deadline falls on Sun. and
Mon. is Veteran’s Day, the deadline
moves to Tues. EC §1.006.
City Secretary 9.50(b)(1)
9.68
11.02
+5
Nov. 12 LAST DAY to receive an FPCA ballot from
a member of the U.S. Armed Services,
Merchant Marines, or a spouse or
dependent of a member. Note: NO
cancellation or receipt mark showing
date placed for delivery is required on
these ballots. Because the deadline falls
on Veteran’s Day, it moves to Tues. EC
§1.006.
City Secretary 9.50(b)(2)
9.68
11.02
+6
Nov. 12 LAST DAY for a vote-by-mail voter to cure
certain deficiencies in the carrier
envelope. Note: Because the deadline
falls on Veteran’s Day, it moves to Tues.
EC §1.006.
Voter 6.72 +6
Nov. 12 LAST DAY for provisional voter to present
ID to voter registrar or execute required
affidavit. Note: Because the deadline falls
on Veteran’s Day, it moves to Tues. EC
§1.006.
Voter 11.01(d)
6.21(f)
9.26
+6
Thur.
Nov. 14
to
Wed.
Dec. 4
Period to publish notice of the runoff
election. Note: The runoff must be
ordered first. See note for the canvass
period. SOS does not apply EC §1.006.
City Secretary 6.52(a) Runoff
-30
to
-10
16
Date Action By or With
Whom Taken M § ED
Interval T
Fri.
Nov. 15
LAST DAY for presiding judge of EVBB to
mail notices of rejected mail ballots to
voters (SOS Form 6-2).
Judge of
EVBB
11.03(a) +10
Nov. 15 LAST DAY for voter registrar to complete
the review of provisional ballots. Note:
The period is one day longer for elections
in Nov. of even-numbered years
Voter
Register
10.30(d) +10
Mon.
Nov. 18
to
Fri.
Nov. 29
Period during which notice of outcome of
provisional ballots (SOS Form 9-9) must
be mailed to voters. Note: EC §1.006
arguably does not apply to a timeframe
set by rule, 1 TAC 81.176(e).
Judge of
EVBB
11.01(f) Varies,
by 10th
day after
canvass
Mon.
Nov. 18
LAST DAY for the EVBB to convene for
counting the provisional ballots or any
mail ballots timely and properly received
after ED. Note: This deadline applies only
to November of even-numbered years.
Early Voting
Ballot Board
11.01(b) +13
Tues.
Nov. 19
LAST DAY for conducting the official
canvass of a Nov. election in even-
numbered years.
City Council 11.12 +14
Wed.
Nov. 20
Election records must be available in an
electronic format no later than this day,
for a fee of not more than $50.00.
City Secretary 11.70(c) +15
Tues.
Nov. 26
LAST DAY for mailing results of manual
count to secretary of state.
City Secretary 11.31(c) +21
Fri.
Nov. 29
LAST DAY to post notice of the runoff
election. Note: SOS does not apply EC
§1.006, and this day is a HOLIDAY.
City Secretary 6.52 Runoff
- 21
Mon.
Dec. 2
FIRST DAY of early voting in person for
the runoff. NOTE: Because the deadline
falls on an impossible day, the day before
a holiday, it is extended to Mon.
EC §85.001(c).
Voter 9.11 Runoff
- 17 days
Thur.
Dec. 5
Type A cites: LAST DAY elected officials
may qualify and assume duties of office;
if they fail to qualify by this day, the office
is considered vacant.
Candidate
with City
Secretary
11.23(a) +30
Tues.
Dec. 10
LAST DAY of early voting in the runoff. Voter 9.44 Runoff
-11
17
Date Action By or With
Whom Taken M § ED
Interval T
Sat.
Dec. 14
RUNOFF ELECTION DAY Voter 12.01(d) Set by
SOS
Sun.
Dec. 15
LAST DAY of mandatory office hours.
Note: SOS does not apply EC §1.006.
City Secretary 6.80(a) +40
Sun.
Jan. 5
2025
FIRST DAY for transfer of voted ballots
from the locked ballot box to another
secure container. Note: EC §1.006 does
not apply to the first day.
City Secretary 11.70(e) +61
Wed.
Jan. 15,
2025
LAST DAY for timely filing of semiannual
report of contributions and expenditures.
City Secretary 3.12(b) Jan. 15
Tues.
Sept. 8,
2026
LAST DAY of preservation period for
ballots and other precinct election
records of city election, except for
candidate applications. Note: Because
the deadline falls on Sun., it moves to
Mon.
City Secretary 11.71(c) day after
+22
months
Fri.
Nov. 6,
2026
LAST DAY of preservation period for
candidate applications and certain
petitions.
City Secretary 11.71(d) day after
+2 years
18
Endnotes
1. The following information must be posted on a city ’s website [M §2.13(d)], if the city maintains
a website [M §1.53]: (1) the city’s contact information, including a mailing address, telephone
number, and e-mail address; (2) each elected officer of the city; (3) the date and location of
the next election for officers of the city; (4) the requirements and deadline for filing for
candidacy of each elected office of the city for the next election (posted one year prior to the
date of that election); (5) notice of city council meetings; and (6) minutes of city council
meetings. A city with population of less than 5,000 located in a county with population of less
than 25,000 does not have to post (5) and (6). [GC §2051.201].
2. The city’s governing body may choose to conduct a mock student election under EC §276.007.
The major steps taken for a general election should be taken for a student election. The
student election may be held on the first day before the election, but results must not be
published until after the polls close on election day.
3. Follow home-rule city’s charter provision, if any.
4. If a candidate on the ballot dies on or before the filing deadline, the City Secretary MAY
choose to remove the candidate from the ballot, in which case, the filing deadline is extended
5 days. If that extended filing deadline for filing falls on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the
next business day. Withdrawal deadlines after the extended filing deadlines will be impacted.
5. See Texas Ethics Commission rules [1 TAC §18.31] for the full list of threshold reporting dollar
amounts, which typically change each January. The following is a summary of the most
common ones [M Ch. 3]:
Election
Code §
Threshold Description Original
Amount
2023
Amount
2024
Amount
253.031(b) PAC: amount of contributions or
expenditures permitted before
appointment of treasurer is required.
$500 $980 $1,050
254.036 Electronic Filing Exemption: amount at or
below which a filer may qualify.
$20,000 $30,820 $32,810
254.095 Local officeholders, contributions:
amount over which reporting is required.
$500 $1,010 $1,080
254.181
254.182
254.183
Candidate or specific-purpose PAC,
modified reporting: contribution or
expenditure amount at or below which
filers may avoid pre-election reports.
$500 $1,010 $1,080
19
6. Election Code holidays unless noted otherwise in italics:
Remaining Holidays in 2024 Date
Emancipation Day/Juneteenth June 19, 2024
Independence Day July 4, 2024
Lyndon Bains Johnson Day August 27, 2024
Labor Day (1st Monday in September) September 2, 2024
National Voter Registration Day September 17, 2024
Yom Kippur October 11, 2024
Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day (2d Monday in October) October 14, 2024
Veteran’s Day November 11, 2024
Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November) November 28, 2024
Friday after Thanksgiving November 29, 2024
Day before Christmas (not an Election Code holiday) December 24, 2024
Christmas Day December 25, 2024
Day after Christmas (not an Election Code holiday) December 26, 2024