Elections in Texas

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From 1836 to 1845, the Republic of Texas elected presidents. In 1845, it was admitted as the state of Texas.

Texas gubernatorial elections are held every four years on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, better known as the nationwide Election Day. They are held on years that are even-numbered, but not multiples of four, also known as a midterm, so they do not coincide with the presidential elections.

Texas Senate elections are held every four years on the same date as gubernatorial elections.

Texas House elections are held every two years on Election Day. They are held on even-numbered years.

If a candidate in a general election that requires a majority vote earns less than 50 percent of votes, the top two candidates advance to a runoff regardless of political party or no party.

To reduce the amount of time required to fill electoral vacancies, in special elections Texas dispenses with party primaries and instead uses a jungle primary system. Candidates of all parties (or no party) appear on the same ballot; if no single one of them receives 50 percent plus 1 vote, the two highest vote-getters also advance to a runoff irrespective of party affiliation. Most famously, in Texas' special election of 1961 John Tower, a Republican, was able to win a United States Senate seat in then-overwhelmingly Democratic Texas.

In a 2020 study, Texas was ranked as the hardest state for citizens to vote in.[1]

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References[]

  1. ^ J. Pomante II, Michael; Li, Quan (15 Dec 2020). "Cost of Voting in the American States: 2020". Election Law Journal: Rules, Politics, and Policy. 19 (4): 503–509. doi:10.1089/elj.2020.0666. S2CID 225139517. Retrieved 14 January 2022.

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