Some 2016 election dates could change if Abbott signs legislation

posted on 6.15.2015

Several bills filed in the 84^th Texas Legislature would have altered 2016 election dates in Texas, including the date of the primary election. 

Only two election date-related bills made it to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk and neither of them would alter the date of the March 1, 2016 primary election. 

They do, however, play with the uniform election date that municipalities and school boards use to conduct their elections.

HB 2354 by Rep. Marsha Farney, R-Georgetown, would move the date of the uniform election up one week to the first Saturday in May.   Under current law the uniform election date is the second Saturday in May.

Another bill, SB 733 by Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, would make it easier for cities to shift their elections from the uniform election date in May to the November general election date.   Several large Texas cities such as Houston have used the November date for some time.

Gov. Abbott has until this Sunday, June 21, to either sign or veto these two bills, or to let them become law without his signature.

TAB plans to issue its first TAB Political Update email after Abbott acts.  

The update also will include a preliminary look at what are expected to be contested races in either the 2016 primary or general elections, as well as which offices are up for election.

The political update email is sent to general managers, sales managers and news directors.  Account executives handling station political buys who wish to receive the email can contact TAB here.

If Abbott signs both bills, the preliminary 2015-16 TAB political dates calendar looks something like this:

• Friday, Sept. 4, 2015 - FCC political window opens for general election
• Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015 - General election, constitutional amendments
• Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015 - Candidate filing window opens
• TBA Dec. 2015/Jan. 2016 - TAB Political Broadcasting Webinar/Seminar
• Monday, Dec. 14, 2015 - Candidate filing window closes
• Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016 - FCC political window opens for March 1 primary election
• Monday, Feb. 15, 2016 - Early voting begins for March 1 primary election
• Friday, Feb. 26, 2016 - Last day of early voting for March 1 primary election
• Tuesday, March 1, 2016 - Primary election
• Tuesday, March 8, 2016 - FCC political window opens for municipal/school board elections*
• Saturday, April 9, 2016 - FCC political window opens for May 24 primary runoff election
• Saturday, May 7, 2016 - Uniform election date - Municipal / School Board elections*
• Tuesday, May 24, 2016 - Primary runoff election
• Friday, Sept. 9, 2016 - FCC political window opens for Nov. 8 general election
• Monday, Oct. 10, 2016 - Last day to register to vote for Nov. 8 general election
• Monday, Oct. 24, 2016 - Early voting begins for Nov. 8 general election
• Friday, Nov. 4, 2016 - Last day of early voting for Nov. 8 general election
• Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016 - General election

*If Gov. Abbott signs HB 2354 by Rep. Marsha Farney, R-Georgetown.

Questions?  Contact TAB's Michael Schneider or call (512) 322-9944.

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