The secretary of state must certify a replacement vice-presidential running mate for an independent presidential candidate when the original running mate withdraws, dies, or is declared ineligible, if the candidate submits the required signed certification by the stated deadline.
Sec. 192.064. INDEPENDENT VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE. (a) The secretary of state shall certify in writing the name of a replacement vice-presidential running mate for an independent candidate for president of the United States as follows: (1) for placement on the ballot for an original running mate who withdraws, dies, or is declared ineligible on or before the 74th day before presidential election day if the independent presidential candidate delivers certification of the replacement running mate's name, signed by the presidential candidate, to the secretary of state not later than 5 p.m. of the 71st day before presidential election day; or (2) to the presidential candidate's corresponding presidential elector candidates for an original running mate who withdraws, dies, or is declared ineligible after the 74th day before presidential election day if the independent presidential candidate delivers certification of the replacement running mate's name, signed by the presidential candidate, to the secretary of state not later than 2 p.m. on the Monday after the second Wednesday in December of a presidential election year. (b) If the presidential candidate's certification of a replacement running mate is delivered by mail, it is considered to be delivered at the time of its receipt by the secretary of state. (c) The name of a vice-presidential candidate who has withdrawn, died, or been declared ineligible shall be omitted from the ballot and the name of the replacement candidate placed on the ballot if a replacement candidate is certified for placement on the ballot as provided by this section. Otherwise, the withdrawn, deceased, or ineligible candidate's name shall be placed on the ballot. (d) The fact that the name of an independent vice-presidential candidate who has withdrawn, died, or been declared ineligible is placed on the ballot does not affect the counting of votes for the candidate's running mate. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1109 (H.B. 2339), Sec. 25, eff. September 1, 2005. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 84 (S.B. 1703), Sec. 26, eff. September 1, 2015. Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 998 (H.B. 87), Sec. 6, eff. June 18, 2023.