TITLE: Relating to a requirement that candidates for municipal elective office declare a party affiliation.

SUMMARY: Relating to a requirement that candidates for municipal elective office declare a party affiliation.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to a requirement that candidates for municipal elective office declare a party affiliation. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 143, Election Code, is amended by adding Section 143.0011 to read as follows: Sec. 143.0011. PARTISAN CANDIDACY REQUIRED. (a) A candidate must declare a party affiliation to run for a city office. (b) A candidate's party affiliation must appear on the ballot next to the candidate's name. SECTION 2. The heading to Section 143.003, Election Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 143.003. PARTISAN NOMINATION [CANDIDACY] FOR HOME-RULE CITY OFFICE AUTHORIZED. SECTION 3. Section 143.004, Election Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 143.004. APPLICATION REQUIRED. (a) Subject to Section 143.005, to be entitled to a place on the ballot, a candidate must make an application for a place on the ballot. (b) An application must state the political party with which the candidate is aligned or, if the candidate is not aligned with a party, state that fact. SECTION 4. Section 143.002, Election Code, is repealed. SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.