Senate Bill No. 1033 amends the Texas Election Code regarding the withdrawal of candidates in runoff primary elections. It specifies that candidates in a runoff are those who received the highest and second highest votes in the main election, or who tied for the highest votes. The bill introduces a new provision that allows a candidate to withdraw from the runoff election only until 5 p.m. on the fifth day after the last day the state canvass can be conducted. If a candidate withdraws by this deadline, the candidate with the third highest votes in the primary election will be entitled to a place on the runoff ballot.

Additionally, if a candidate withdraws after the specified deadline, the remaining candidate will automatically become the nominee, and the runoff election for that office will not take place. The bill clarifies that these changes will apply to elections ordered on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. Elections ordered before this date will continue to be governed by the previous laws.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 2.023, Election Code 172.059 (Election Code 172, Election Code 2)
Senate Committee Report: Election Code 2.023, Election Code 172.059 (Election Code 172, Election Code 2)
Engrossed: Election Code 2.023, Election Code 172.059 (Election Code 172, Election Code 2)