Texas § EL.161.005 - ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTY OFFICES GENERALLY
Full text of Texas The Texas Constitution § EL.161.005 — ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTY OFFICES GENERALLY, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ EL.161.005. ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTY OFFICES GENERALLY
ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTY OFFICES GENERALLY. (a) To be eligible to be a candidate for or to serve as an officer of a political party, a person must: (1) except as provided by Subsection (c), not be a candidate for nomination or election to, or be the holder of, an elective office of the federal, state, or county government; and (2) if the office is a county or precinct chair of a political party, be a qualified voter of the county. (a-1) For purposes of this section, the following are officers of a political party: (1) a precinct chair; (2) a county chair; and (3) a member, a chair, or a vice chair of a state executive committee of a political party. (b) For purposes of this section, a person becomes a candidate at the earliest time at which one of the following occurs: (1) the person files: (A) a declaration of intent to run as an independent candidate; (B) an application for a place on a primary or general election ballot or for nomination by a convention; or (C) a declaration of write-in candidacy; or (2) the person is nominated by a convention or executive committee. (c) A candidate for nomination or election to, or the holder of, an elective office of the federal, state, or county government is eligible to serve as an officer of a political party to which Chapter 181 applies. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 105, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by: Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 576 (S.B. 817 ), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2013. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 810 (H.B. 1987 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021.
Source: official Texas text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas § EL.161.005
What does The Texas Constitution § EL.161.005 cover?
Section EL.161.005 ("ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTY OFFICES GENERALLY") is part of the The Texas Constitution, the codified statutory law of Texas. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Texas § EL.161.005?
A common citation format is "The Texas Constitution § EL.161.005" (Texas). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Texas law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Texas official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Texas attorney.
How does Texas § EL.161.005 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Texas can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Texas.