HB 1751

AN ACT relating to a candidate's application for a place on the ballot for

House Bill • Manuel | Schofield

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

Committee

Hearing

Passed Cmte

Calendar

Passed

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Enrolled

Governor

Signed

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

In Committee

Hearing Scheduled

Passed Committee

Floor Calendar

Passed Chamber

Sent to Other Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Sent to Governor

Signed into Law

89th Regular Session

Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended

Awaiting Committee Assignment

Bill filed, pending referral to House committee

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What This Bill Does

This Texas bill prohibits candidates from applying to be on the primary ballot for more than one political party in the same election cycle. If a candidate attempts to file with multiple parties, election authorities must reject their application, forfeit their filing fees, and disqualify them from appearing on the ballot as an independent, alternative party nominee, or write-in candidate for that election. The law aims to prevent candidate party-switching and maintain party nomination integrity, taking effect September 1, 2025.

Subject Areas

SECRETARY OF STATE Elections--General Elections--Political Parties Elections--Primaries Elections--Candidates

Bill Text

relating to a candidate's application for a place on the ballot for
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 172, Election Code, is
amended by adding Section 172.0211 to read as follows:
Sec. 172.0211.  CANDIDACY PROHIBITED.  (a)  A candidate
shall be prohibited from making an application for a place on the
general primary election ballot with more than one political party
(b)  If a candidate violates this section, any authority
receiving an application from the candidate shall reject the
(c)  A candidate whose application is rejected under this
section is not entitled to receive a refund of the filing fees for
(d)  A candidate whose application is rejected under this
section is ineligible for a place on the ballot for the succeeding
general election for state and county officers as:
(1)  an independent candidate for an office for which a
candidate filed for a place on the ballot for the primary;
(2)  the nominee of a political party other than the
party holding the primary in which the candidate filed an
application for a place on the ballot; or
(3)  a write-in candidate for an office for which the
candidate filed for a place on the ballot for the primary.
(e)  The secretary of state shall prescribe any procedures
necessary to implement this section.
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.