AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©
One of the first things everyone planning for office needs to be made aware of, is that you don't have to kiss anyone's ring to run for public office on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Did you hear me? You don't have to kiss anyone's ring to run for Mayor, City Controller, or City Council in the upcoming City of Houston General Election.
FILING FEES TO RUN
If you plan to run for Mayor of Houston, your filing fee is $1,250 and must be paid in cash, by cashier’s check, or by certified check payable to the City of Houston. The fee to run for Controller is $750, and the fee to run for one of the City Council positions is only $500 dollars.
Also, please note that
“FILING FEES” are non-refundable, and, no personal checks or money orders are accepted as forms of payment.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Pursuant to Texas Election Code section 141.001 and Article V, section 4 of the City of Houston Charter, to be eligible for public elective office, a candidate for City elective office:
MUST BE a United States citizen;
MUST BE 18 years of age or older on or before the first day of the term to be filled at the election;
MUST NOT have been determined by a final judgment of a court to be 1) totally mentally incapacitated or 2) partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote;
MUST NOT have been finally convicted of a felony from which the person has not been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disabilities;
Please note that pursuant to Election Code section 141.031(a-1), a person who has been finally convicted of a felony must include in the application proof that the person is eligible for public office.
Release from or successful completion of probation or parole does not make a convicted felon eligible for a place on the ballot or able to hold elected office.
MUST have resided continuously in Texas for 12 months immediately preceding the filing deadline for a candidate’s application for a place on the ballot (or for write-in candidates, the date of the election at which the candidate’s name is written in);
Candidates for Mayor, City Controller, or At-Large Council Member, MUST have resided continuously in the City for 12 months immediately preceding election day;
Candidates for District Council Member MUST have resided continuously in the territory encompassed by the City Council District to be served for 12 months immediately preceding election day; and
Per Local Government Code Section 43.130, a resident of an area annexed for limited purposes is not eligible to be a candidate for or to be elected to a municipal office.
MUST be registered to vote in the territory from which the office is elected on or before the date of the filing deadline for a candidate’s application for a place on the ballot (or for write-in candidates, the date of the election at which the candidate’s name is written in).
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
Sunday, January 1, 2023,* – First Day to apply for a ballot by mail using Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM) or Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). *First day to file does not move because of New Year’s Day holiday. An “Annual ABBM” or FPCA for a January or February 2023 election may be filed earlier, but not earlier than the 60th day before the date of the January or February election.
Saturday, July 22, 2023 – First Day to File for Place on the General Election Ballot if you plan to run for City of Houston Mayor, Houston City Controller, Houston City Council, HISD School Board, or HCC School Board in the Bayou City.
Monday, August 21, 2023 – Last Day to File for a Place on the General Election Ballot if you plan to run for City of Houston Mayor, Houston City Controller, Houston City Council, HISD School Board, or HCC School Board in the Bayou City.
Monday, October 23, 2023 – First Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance if you plan on casting your ballot in person at one of the Early Voting locations.
Friday, November 3, 2023 – Last Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance if you plan on casting your ballot in person at one of the Early Voting locations.
Tuesday, November 7, 2023 – Election Day, is the final opportunity for Houstonians who didn’t cast their votes early to vote.
KEY 2023 RACES
On Tuesday, November 7, 2023, The City of Houston will conduct a general election at voting sites that will be available throughout the City of Houston. The offices that will be present on the ballot are as follows:
Mayor
Council Member, District A
Council Member, District B
Council Member, District C
Council Member, District D
Council Member, District E
Council Member, District F
Council Member, District G
Council Member, District H
Council Member, District I
Council Member, District J
Council Member, District K
Council Member, At-Large Position 1
Council Member, At-Large Position 2
Council Member, At-Large Position 3
Council Member, At-Large Position 4
Council Member, At-Large Position 5
City Controller
As you already know, Mayor Sylvester Turner is term-limited, and current City of Houston Controller, Chris Brown is also term-limited, which means Houstonians will be electing a new financial watchdog on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, in the Bayou City.