What are the requirements for ballot access?

In Texas, there are several requirements to gain access to a ballot for an election. The candidate must first be a registered voter in the county, or state in which they are running for office. All candidates must also be eligible to vote in the election. This means that they must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of the state or county for at least one year, and must not be a convicted felon. The candidate must then obtain a petition from their county office. This petition must be signed by at least 500 registered voters from the district in which the candidate is running. The candidate must then submit the petition to the county office before the filing deadline. The candidate must also pay a filing fee. This is usually equal to 1% of the annual salary for the office they are seeking. In some cases, a candidate may be able to get the fee waived if they meet certain requirements. Finally, the candidate must submit a statement of candidacy to the county office. This statement includes the candidate’s name, address, party affiliation (if applicable), and a statement declaring their intent to run for office. Once these requirements are met, the candidate can gain access to the ballot for the election.

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