8 Things to Know Before Running for Local Office
September 27, 2023
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JoinRun for County Court Judge in Hays County County, TX
Election Date: Nov 3, 2026Filing Deadline: Apr 2, 2026
Election Details
- Office level: county
- Length of term: 4 years
- Commitment level: N/A
- Affiliation: partisan
- Typical salary: $88,505/year
- Is this a runoff election? No
- Is this a primary election? No
- Filing period: Mar 4, 2026 - Apr 2, 2026
- Positions: Hays County Municipal Utility District 11 BoardEast Hays Municipal Utility District 2 BoardBarton Springs Edwards Aquifer District Board - Precinct 4Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation Board - District 4Hays County Water Control and Improvement Board - District 2...
Job description
County Court Judges are responsible for adjudicating cases in Civil and Criminal Courts at the trial-level in certain specific areas, such as small-claims court or drug court.
Eligibility requirements
Candidate must be a citizen of U.S., age 25 or older; a resident of the county for at least 2 years; and a licensed attorney who has practiced law or served as a judge for 4 years.
Filing instructions
Filing office address: 215 W. San Antonio Street, San Marcos, TX 78666 (Democrats); 6000 FM 150, Kyle, TX 78640 (Republicans); 111 E. San Antonio Street, Ste. 300, San Marcos, Texas 78666
Filing phone number: 512-392-0840 (Democrats); 512-268-9354 (Republicans); 512-393-2205 (Independents)
Paperwork instructions: Submit paperwork to the office of the county party chair; Independent candidates must submit paperwork to the county judge's office.
Filing requirements: Major party-affiliated candidates should file an application for a place on the ballot to their respective county party chair. This should be accompanied by a filing fee of $1,500. The filing fee may be waived if the petition has been signed by at least 500 valid electors. Candidates in Bexar, Dallas, Harris and Tarrant Counties have a higher filing fee of $2,500 and must also receive 250 petition signatures (or 750 signatures in lieu of a filing fee). Minor party candidates should consult with their respective party chair to determine requirements. Independent candidates should file a Declaration of Intent to Run as an Independent Candidate during the primary filing period. In addition, independent candidates will need to collect a number of signatures equal to 5% of the number of votes cast within the district in the most recent gubernatorial election (or 500 signatures whichever is lower) in support of their application for a place on the general election ballot and submit these to the county judge. All forms can be found on the Texas Secretary of State website.
FAQ
How often is County Court Judge elected?
The position of County Court Judge is typically elected every 4 years.
What does it mean for an election to be partisan?
Partisan elections require candidates to declare a party affiliation, like Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or Independent.
What are the filing requirements to get on the ballot in Hays County County, TX?
Major party-affiliated candidates should file an application for a place on the ballot to their respective county party chair. This should be accompanied by a filing fee of $1,500. The filing fee may be waived if the petition has been signed by at least 500 valid electors. Candidates in Bexar, Dallas, Harris and Tarrant Counties have a higher filing fee of $2,500 and must also receive 250 petition signatures (or 750 signatures in lieu of a filing fee). Minor party candidates should consult with their respective party chair to determine requirements. Independent candidates should file a Declaration of Intent to Run as an Independent Candidate during the primary filing period. In addition, independent candidates will need to collect a number of signatures equal to 5% of the number of votes cast within the district in the most recent gubernatorial election (or 500 signatures whichever is lower) in support of their application for a place on the general election ballot and submit these to the county judge. All forms can be found on the Texas Secretary of State website.
Where do I submit my candidate paperwork?
Submit paperwork to the office of the county party chair; Independent candidates must submit paperwork to the county judge's office.
Where is the filing office?
215 W. San Antonio Street, San Marcos, TX 78666 (Democrats); 6000 FM 150, Kyle, TX 78640 (Republicans); 111 E. San Antonio Street, Ste. 300, San Marcos, Texas 78666.
How can I get in touch with the filing office?
You can contact the filing office by calling 512-392-0840 (Democrats); 512-268-9354 (Republicans); 512-393-2205 (Independents).
How do I get started running for County Court Judge?
You can start running for County Court Judge by checking to ensure you meet all filing deadlines and requirements. Next, you can prepare to file for office and start planning your campaign strategy. Get in touch with our team of campaign experts for help with any step of the campaign process!
Is there a primary or runoff election for this office?
The next election for County Court Judge does not include a primary or runoff election.
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