Texas
Independent petitions, the primary-voter exclusion, and where petition work actually exists in Texas.
Texas has no statewide citizen initiative process, which surprises people given the state's size. What it does have is a substantial candidate petition system and a local charter-amendment route — and one rule that shapes every independent drive in the state: primary voters cannot sign.
Signature Requirements
| Office / Measure | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Statewide independent | 81,030 — 1% of the total gubernatorial vote |
| U.S. House / state legislative / local independent | 5% of the district gubernatorial vote, capped at 500, floor of 25 |
| U.S. Senate, petition in lieu of fee | 5,000 |
| Statewide office, petition in lieu of fee | 5,000 |
| U.S. House / State Senate / State Rep, in lieu of fee | Lesser of 500 or 2% of district gubernatorial vote |
| New political party | 81,030 — convention participants plus petition signatures |
| Home-rule city charter amendment | Lesser of 5% of qualified voters or 20,000 |
The fee alternative — and who does not get it
Primary candidates may pay a filing fee or file a petition in lieu of it: $5,000 for U.S. Senate, $3,750 for statewide office, $3,125 for U.S. House, $750 for state representative. Independents get no fee option at all — petitioning is the only route to the ballot.
The primary-voter exclusion
Signers of an independent petition must be registered voters who did not vote in the general primary or the runoff of any party that nominated a candidate for that office. For a statewide independent drive this disqualifies every primary voter in Texas — millions of people. Screening for it is a core part of the field operation, not an afterthought.
The compression problem
Independent petition circulation may not begin until the primary is resolved for that office — the day after the general primary, or the day after the runoff if there is one. The petition is then due roughly 30 days after the runoff. A candidate whose office avoids a runoff gets around 113 days; one whose office goes to a runoff gets about 30, for the same signature count.
Circulator rules are permissive
Texas imposes no residency, voter-registration, or party-affiliation requirement on circulators. The duties are functional: read the signer statement to each signer, witness each signature, verify the date, and verify registration status before filing. A single notarized affidavit covers all signatures that circulator collected, which is a real cost saving versus per-sheet notarization states.
Validity and verification
Each signature needs the signature itself (the only element required in the signer's own hand), printed name, residence address, date of birth or voter registration number, and date of signing. Ditto marks, abbreviations, and omitted ZIP codes do not invalidate if the information remains ascertainable. Statistical sampling is permitted for petitions over 1,000 signatures. There is no cure period and petitions may not be amended after filing.
Ballot Measures in Texas
Texas has no statewide citizen initiative or referendum. Constitutional amendments reach the ballot only by a two-thirds vote of both legislative chambers. Petition work in Texas is concentrated in candidate access, new-party qualification, and local measures — and local initiative power exists only in home-rule cities, roughly 352 of the state's 1,225 municipalities. The most reliable local vehicle is the charter amendment petition, guaranteed by Local Government Code sec. 9.004 at the lesser of 5% of qualified voters or 20,000 signatures.
What Trips Campaigns Up in Texas
We've Worked This Ground
Texas Ballot Access FAQ
Does Texas have ballot initiatives?
Not at the state level. Texas has no statewide citizen initiative or referendum process. Constitutional amendments reach the ballot only through a two-thirds vote of the legislature. Citizen-initiated measures exist only in home-rule cities.
How many signatures does an independent candidate need in Texas?
For statewide office, 1% of the total gubernatorial vote — 81,030 for the 2026 cycle. For district and local offices, 5% of the district gubernatorial vote, capped at 500 signatures.
Who can sign an independent candidate petition in Texas?
Registered voters in the territory who did not vote in the general primary or the runoff primary of any party that nominated a candidate for that office. This excludes all primary voters.
Do Texas petition circulators need to be Texas residents?
No. Texas Election Code Chapter 141 imposes no residency, voter registration, or party affiliation requirement on circulators.
Running a Campaign in This State?
Signature requirements are the easy part. Hitting them on deadline is the job.