The 2004 Election Cycle is here. Candidates and political parties are working on the coming series of elections. Here are some of the basic parts of the process which will help local candidates in filing for office.
The Texas Election Code contains laws related to the election process. All candidates, parties, election offices and counties must adhere to the requirements of the code.
The first election is the primary election. All candidates for county, district and state offices who wish to be affiliated with either the Republican or Democrat Parties must participate in the Primary Election. Candidates of other parties should check with the state office for additional information. Independent candidates should request further information from the Elections Office or the Secretary of State's Election Division.
There are actually two primaries being held in Victoria County. They are the Republican Party Primary and the Democratic Party Primary. Victoria County has been conducting these primaries as a joint election for the last few election cycles. The advantages to conducting a joint election is lower overall costs, one polling location for each precinct, less duplication of efforts by judges and clerks, uniform access to the election by voters.
Candidates must file an Application for a Place on the Ballot. Local candidates (candidacy within Victoria County) file with the county chairman of their political party. District and state-wide candidates file with the state party chairman. If you candidacy includes only a portion of Victoria County, i.e., commissioner or constable, you must have resided within the precinct for six months prior to the filing deadline.
All candidates must be Texas residents for one year and resided within their district for at least six months. Candidates for District Judge must have resided within the district for two years.
The filing period begins December 3, 2003 and ends January 2, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. In addition to the application, the candidate must submit a filing for the office sought.
A petition may be filed in lieu of a filing fee. The petition must include at least 2% of the total number of votes cast for governor in the most recent election from the territory of the position. All signatures must be from registered voters within the precincts of the elected office.
SPECIAL NOTE: Due to the Legislative re-districting of the U.S. Representative Congressional Districts, filing for U.S. Congress positions for the State of Texas is extended. The 78th Texas Legislature, 3rd Special Session has extended the filing deadline for US Congressional seats redrawn during the session. The filing period for these candidates only is tentatively set for January 11, 2004 to January 16, 2004.
The 78th Texas Legislature, 3rd Special Session also changed the date of the primary from March 2, to Tuesday, March 9, 2004 and set the runoff primary date as Tuesday, April 13, 2004.
The new re-districting plan must be approved by both the US Justice Department and the US Federal Courts prior to implementation. Check back for updated information.
For filing information contact one of the following;
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Victoria County Republican Party
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Victoria County Democratic PartyJohn Griffin, Jr. |
| State of Texas Republican Party Chair
Susan Weddington |
State of Texas Democratic Party Chair
Molly Beth Malcom
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All candidates for public office are required to report campaign finance revenues and expenditures. Those candidates who run for county political office must file campaign finance reports with the Elections Administrator. Information about campaign finance filings can be obtained at the Elections Office or through the Texas Ethics Commission web site.
A designation of a campaign treasurer must be on file prior to the accepting a donation or spending any funds related to a campaign for public office. Forms are available (at no charge) at the Elections Office and through the Texas Ethics Commission web site.
If no candidate receives a majority vote (>50%) of the total number of voters who voted in the race, then a runoff election is required. This election will be held on Tuesday, April 13, 2004. Check back for further information about the possibility of a runoff election.
The General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2004. Additional information will be available as this date approaches.