How to run in Texas, 2028
What it takes to get on Texas's 2028 ballot for the U.S. House or President, from the state's election office and laws. Texas has no U.S. Senate seat up in 2028.
U.S. House
Who can run
- At least 25 years old
- A U.S. citizen for at least 7 years
- Living in the state when elected (the Constitution doesn't require living in the district)
Getting on the Texas ballot
| Where to file | Party primary candidates file the application for a place on the ballot with the party's state chair, since congressional districts are filled by voters of more than one county (Tex. Elec. Code 172.022). Independent candidates file with the Texas Secretary of State (Tex. Elec. Code 142.005). |
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| When | Primary applications: not earlier than the 30th day before the regular deadline and not later than 6:00 p.m. on the second Monday in December of the odd-numbered year (Tex. Elec. Code 172.023), which is Saturday, November 13, 2027 through 6:00 p.m. Monday, December 13, 2027, for the March 7, 2028 primary (first Tuesday in March, Tex. Elec. Code 41.007). An application filed by mail counts as filed when received. (expected: follows state law; the 2028 calendar isn't published yet) |
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| How | File an application for a place on the general primary ballot meeting Tex. Elec. Code 141.031, accompanied by the filing fee or a petition in lieu of the fee (172.021). After the filing deadline an application may not be amended (172.0222). |
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| Fee | $3,125 for U.S. Representative (Tex. Elec. Code 172.024(a)(3)). |
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| Petition instead | In place of the fee, a petition with the lesser of 500 signatures or 2% of the total vote for governor in the district at the most recent gubernatorial general election (Tex. Elec. Code 172.025). Signing a party's petition makes the signer ineligible to vote in another party's primary or convention that year (172.026). Independent candidates: file a written, signed and acknowledged declaration of intent with the Secretary of State during the same November 13 - December 13, 2027 primary filing period (142.002), then file an application with a petition signed by the lesser of 500 or 5% of the district's total vote for governor at the most recent gubernatorial election (142.007) by 5:00 p.m. on the 30th day after the runoff primary (142.006), which is June 22, 2028 (runoff on the fourth Tuesday in May, May 23, 2028). Signatures are valid only if gathered after the primary/runoff from voters who did not vote in a primary of a party that nominated a candidate for the office (142.009). No filing fee applies to the independent route. |
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Official filing information · U.S. Constitution
President
Who can run: At least 35 years old; A natural-born U.S. citizen; A U.S. resident for at least 14 years (U.S. Constitution).
Getting on Texas's presidential primary ballot
| How | A candidate files an application with the state chair of the party, along with a filing fee or a petition. Forms and procedures follow party rule, and each party sets its own filing deadline within the statutory limit (Tex. Elec. Code §§ 172.023, 191.002(b), per the Secretary of State guide). After the national convention, the party's state chair certifies the presidential and vice-presidential nominees and the names and addresses of the party's 40 presidential elector candidates to the Secretary of State (§ 192.031). |
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| Where | The state chair of the party (the guide lists the Republican Party of Texas and the Texas Democratic Party, both in Austin). |
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| When | The party sets the deadline, which may not be later than 6:00 p.m. on December 14, 2027. The presidential primary is March 7, 2028. The state chair's certification of nominees and electors to the Secretary of State is due by 5 p.m. on the 71st day before the general election or 5 p.m. on the first business day after the national convention adjourns, whichever is later. |
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| Fee | A filing fee or a petition, as set by party rule. The Secretary of State guide does not state an amount. |
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| Petition | Accepted in place of the fee, under party rule. The guide does not state a signature count. |
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Sources: President (sos.texas.gov)
Running as an independent in November
| How | File an application with the Secretary of State together with a nominating petition. The application must include information about the vice-presidential running mate and that person's signed consent. Also submit signed written consents from 40 presidential elector candidates, the number of electors federal law allocates to Texas (Tex. Elec. Code § 192.032). Additional consents from alternate electors may be submitted (§ 192.103). Secretary of State forms: Independent Candidate's Application for President, Independent Candidate's Petition for President, and Independent Candidate's Consent of Presidential Elector Candidate. |
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| Where | Texas Secretary of State, Elections Division, Austin. |
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| When | The petition may be circulated beginning after the March 7, 2028 primary. The application and petition must both be filed no later than May 8, 2028. |
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| Fee | None stated in the guide. |
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| Petition | 113,887 signatures for 2028, from registered voters who did not vote in either party's presidential primary. |
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| Also | A vice-presidential running mate must be named, with signed consent, in the application. Consents from 40 elector candidates must be filed with the application and petition. Write-in presidential candidates file a declaration between July 22 and 5:00 p.m. on August 21, 2028, with the same running-mate and 40-elector requirement (§ 146.025). |
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Sources: President (sos.texas.gov)
Campaign money
- Once you raise or spend more than $5,000, file a Statement of Candidacy (FEC Form 2) within 15 days.
- Your campaign committee then files a Statement of Organization (FEC Form 1) within 10 days and reports to the FEC.
FEC: registering as a candidate · FEC campaign guides
Checked November 4, 2026. Rules can change; confirm with Texas's election office and the FEC before you file. ← All states
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