Texas · Through 89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025

Tex. Election Code § 2.023: RUNOFF CANDIDATES.

(a) Except as provided by Subsections (b) and (c), the candidates in a runoff election are the candidates who receive the highest and second highest number of votes in the main election or who tie for the highest number of votes.
(b) If more than two candidates tie for the highest number of votes in the main election, an automatic recount shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 216. If the recount does not resolve the tie, the tied candidates shall cast lots to determine which two are to be the runoff candidates.
(c) If two or more candidates tie for the second highest number of votes in the main election, an automatic recount shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 216. If the recount does not resolve the tie, the tied candidates shall cast lots to determine which one is to be the second candidate in the runoff election.
(d) The presiding officer of the final canvassing authority for the election shall supervise the casting of lots under this section.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 652, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Where this section sits in the code

ELECTION CODE
TITLE 1. INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 2. VOTE REQUIRED FOR ELECTION TO OFFICE
SUBCHAPTER B. RUNOFF ELECTION

(b) If more than two candidates tie for the highest number of votes in the main election, an automatic recount shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 216. If the recount does not resolve the tie, the tied candidates shall cast lots to determine which two are to be the runoff candidates.

(c) If two or more candidates tie for the second highest number of votes in the main election, an automatic recount shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 216. If the recount does not resolve the tie, the tied candidates shall cast lots to determine which one is to be the second candidate in the runoff election.

(d) The presiding officer of the final canvassing authority for the election shall supervise the casting of lots under this section.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 652, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Collected 2026-08-27T01:47:06Z. Source file · JSON

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