The bill 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. A significant change is the amendment of the withdrawal deadline for candidates, which is now set at 5 p.m. on the fifth day after the last day for the state canvass of the election. If a candidate who received the most votes withdraws by this deadline, the candidate with the third highest votes will be placed on the runoff ballot. Conversely, if a candidate withdraws after this deadline, the remaining candidate automatically becomes the nominee, and the runoff election will not take place.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that these changes apply to elections ordered on or after the effective date of the Act, which is September 1, 2025. Elections ordered before this date will continue to be governed by the previous laws. The amendments aim to streamline the process and clarify the rules surrounding candidate withdrawals in runoff elections, ensuring a more efficient electoral process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 2.023, Election Code 172.059 (Election Code 172, Election Code 2)