This section sets filing deadlines for ballot applications and gives the secretary of state rulemaking power for implementation.
Sec. 144.005. FILING DEADLINE. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (d), an application for a place on the ballot must be filed not later than 5 p.m. of the 62nd day before election day. Notwithstanding any other law outside this code, an application may not be filed earlier than the 30th day before the date of the filing deadline. (b) Except as otherwise provided by law, an application filed by mail is considered to be filed at the time of its receipt by the appropriate authority. (c) The governing body of a political subdivision for which a deadline for filing for candidacy is prescribed by a law outside this code shall take appropriate action to comply with Subsections (a) and (d) and to adjust any affected date, deadline, or procedure to allow the same interval of time in relation to the filing deadline as would be provided by application of the other law. The secretary of state shall prescribe any rules necessary to facilitate the implementation of this subsection. (d) For an election to be held on a uniform election date, the day of the filing deadline is the 78th day before election day. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 925, Sec. 4, eff. Nov. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1109 (H.B. 2339), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2005. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1318 (S.B. 100), Sec. 18, eff. September 1, 2011. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1178 (S.B. 910), Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2013. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 84 (S.B. 1703), Sec. 10, eff. September 1, 2015.