Candidates must have their names printed on the ballot in a specified order, and nickname use is limited.
Sec. 52.031. FORM OF NAME ON BALLOT. (a) A candidate's name shall be printed on the ballot with the given name or initials first, followed by a nickname, if any, followed by the surname, in accordance with this section. (a-1) A person may use any surname acquired by law or marriage. (b) In combination with the surname, a candidate may use one or more of the following: (1) a given name; (2) a contraction or familiar form of a given name by which the candidate is known; or (3) an initial of a given name. (c) A nickname of one unhyphenated word of not more than 10 letters by which the candidate has been commonly known for at least three years preceding the election may be used in combination with a candidate's name. A nickname that constitutes a slogan or otherwise indicates a political, economic, social, or religious view or affiliation may not be used. A nickname may not be used unless the candidate executes and files with the application for a place on the ballot an affidavit indicating that the nickname complies with this subsection. (d) A suffix such as "Sr.," "Jr.," or "2nd" may be used in combination with a candidate's name. (e) A married woman or widow may use in combination with her surname, if the same as her husband's surname, the given name or initials of her husband with the prefix "Mrs." Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1349, Sec. 22, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1098 (H.B. 2075), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.