8 Things to Know Before Running for Local Office
September 27, 2023
Run for State Appellate Court Chief Justice in TX
Election Date: Mar 3, 2026Filing Deadline: Dec 8, 2025
Election Details
- Office level: state
- Length of term: 6 years
- Commitment level: Full Time
- Affiliation: partisan
- Typical salary: $156,500/year
- Filing period: Nov 8, 2025 - Dec 8, 2025
- Positions: District 3District 3District 3District 4District 4...
Job description
The State Appellate Court Chief Justice is responsible for presiding over the Appellate Court and evaluating appeals to decisions made by lower courts.
Eligibility requirements
Candidate must be a citizen of U.S. and resident of Texas; age 35 to 74. Must either have been a practicing lawyer licensed in the state of Texas for at least 10 years, or a practicing lawyer in the State of Texas and judge of a state court or county court established by the Legislature by statute for a combined total of at least 10 years. During which time the judge's license to practice law has not been revoked, suspended, or subject to a probated suspension.
FAQ
How often is State Appellate Court Chief Justice elected?
The position of State Appellate Court Chief Justice is typically elected every 6 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 TX?
Major party-affiliated candidates should file an application for a place on the ballot to their respective state party chair. This should be accompanied by a filing fee of $2,500 and a nominating petition signed by 250 electors of the district. The filing fee may be waived if the petition has been signed by at least 750 valid electors. 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 Secretary of State. 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 state party chair; Independent candidates must submit paperwork to the Secretary of State's office.
Where is the filing office?
1106 Lavaca Street, Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78701 (Democrats); 211 E 7th Street, Suite 915, Austin, Texas 78701 (Republicans); 1019 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701 (Independents).
How can I get in touch with the filing office?
You can contact the filing office by calling 512-478-9800 (Democrats); 512-477-9821 (Republicans); 512-463-5650 (Independents) .
How do I get started running for State Appellate Court Chief Justice?
You can start running for State Appellate Court Chief Justice 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 State Appellate Court Chief Justice includes a primary, but not a runoff election.
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