2026 Bell County Democratic Primary

Candidate Filing & Guidelines

Where do I file?

Candidates seeking a place on the ballot for the 2026 Democratic Primary must file with the Bell County Democratic Party. To coordinate a time to file, please email info@bellcountydems.org.

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When Do I File?
The official filing period runs from November 8, 2025, through December 8, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Candidates must either pay the filing fee or submit the required number of petition signatures.

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What form do I use?

• Non-Judicial Candidates → Use this form

• Judicial Candidates → Use this form

• Federal Candidates → Use this form

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Filing Fees & Petitions

• Candidates may either pay the required fee or submit a petition.

• Countywide offices require 500 valid signatures.

• District office requirements vary by voter population. Confirm with the Texas Secretary of State for details.

 

Collecting Signatures
You may begin gathering signatures at any time. Each signer must be a registered voter in the relevant district at the time of signing, per Texas Election Code Sec. 141.063.

 

Campaign Treasurer Requirements

Before raising or spending more than $500, candidates must designate a Campaign Treasurer.

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• County-level offices (Justice of the Peace, Clerk, County Judge, Commissioners, etc.) → file with the Bell County Elections Department.

• State offices → file with the Texas Ethics Commission.

• Federal offices → file with the Federal Election Commission.

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Key Reminders:

• You may act as your own treasurer.

• Political funds must be kept in a separate bank account. An EIN is required to open this account.

• Contribution limits apply only to federal and judicial races. Corporate donations are prohibited, except for PC/LLCs not classified as corporations by the IRS.

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Precinct & County Chairs

Both Precinct Chairs and the County Chair are elected during the Democratic Primary.

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• Precinct Chair filing period: September 9 – December 8, 2025

• County Chair filing period: November 8 – December 8, 2025

• Deadline for all: December 8, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

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There are no filing fees for party offices. If campaign spending exceeds $500, reporting to the Texas Ethics Commission may be required.

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Important Primary Dates

• Precinct Chair Filing: Sept. 9 – Dec. 8, 2025

• Candidate Filing (all offices): Nov. 8 – Dec. 8, 2025 (closing 6:00 p.m.)

• Vote By Mail Applications Open: Jan. 1, 2026

• Voter Registration Deadline: Feb. 2, 2026

• Early Voting Begins: Feb. 17, 2026

• Mail Ballot Application Deadline: Feb. 20, 2026

• Early Voting Ends: Feb. 27, 2026

• Election Day: March 3, 2026

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Voting Information

Register to Vote
Texas does not allow online registration. You can request a form from the Bell County Elections Department or download and mail one. You must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years old by Election Day (registration allowed at 17 years, 10 months).

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Voting by Mail
Eligible voters include those over 65, voters with disabilities, expectant mothers near Election Day, those absent from the county, and individuals confined in jail.

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Applications should be mailed, faxed, or emailed to the Bell County Elections Department. If faxed/emailed, the original must also be mailed within four days.

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Ballot Deadline: Ballots must be received by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Postmarks do not count.

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Voter ID Requirements
Accepted IDs include:

• Texas Driver’s License or ID Card

• Election ID Certificate

• Texas Handgun License

• U.S. Military ID with photo

• Citizenship Certificate with photo

• U.S. Passport

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For additional options if you lack these IDs, visit VoteTexas.gov or contact the Bell County Democratic Party office.

 

Candidate Events

Candidates may submit campaign events for listing on the Party’s Mobilize page. Events must include the disclaimer that they are not endorsed by the Bell County Democratic Party.

Weekly event newsletters are distributed every Thursday. To be included, submissions must be posted before 12:00 p.m. on Thursday.