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Elections

State and federal law govern the process for electing the over 7,000 school board members who serve in Texas' local school districts.  The following are resources related to candidates and campaigning; conducting elections; and post-election procedures.

Campaigning and Political Advocacy
Election Procedures
Post-Election Resources

Campaigning and Political Advocacy   

Related Policies

Your local school board policy manual contains TASB's (LEGAL) reference policies and board-adopted (LOCAL) policies.  Your district may also have relevant administrative regulations.  For more information on campaigns and candidates, see your district policy manual at the following codes:

BBA	Eligibility and Qualifications
BBBA	Reporting Campaign Funds
BBBB	Election Ethics

TASB Resources

• TASB Legal Services' article Campaign Speech During Elections answers frequently asked questions about campaign speech by school board trustees, community members, school employees, and students.
• TASB Legal Services' article Frequently Asked Questions about Legislative Advocacy addresses advocacy by a school district, its trustees, and its employees during the legislative season.
• TASB Leadership Team Services offers a candidate's guide and related resources.
• TASB Leadership Team Services offers a free online course for school board candidates.

Other Resources

• The Texas Ethics Commission Information for Candidates and Officeholders Web Site provides information for board members and candidates about the campaign finance laws and campaigning as well as copies of forms they must submit.
• The Texas Ethics Commission Local Filers and Filing Authorities Web Site provides information for district elections administrators, such as the Guide to a Local Filing Authority's Duties under the Campaign Finance Laws, campaign finance reports, forms, and filing schedules.
• The Texas Ethics Commission Political Advertising Web Site provides basic political advertising guidelines, outdoor advertising guidelines, and examples of phrases that constitute political advertising.
• The Texas Ethics Commission A Short Guide To the Prohibition Against Using School District Resources for Political Advertising in Connection with an Election provides guidance to districts seeking to avoid engaging in political advertising.
• The Texas Ethics Commission Advisory Opinions, Statutes and Rules Web Site provides links to commission rules and a searchable database of advisory opinions and other legal and regulatory guidance.
• The Texas Ethics Commission Enforcement and Sworn Complaints Web Site details the process for commission review of alleged ethics violations and provides a database of sworn complaint orders issued since 1992.
• The Texas Ethics Commission Campaign Finance Reports Web Site includes a database of campaign finance reports filed since 2000.

Election Procedures   

Related Policies

For more information on election procedures, see your district policy manual at the following code:

BBB

Elections

TASB Resources

• TASB Legal Services' Election Related Changes from Senate Bill 100 answers frequently asked questions about the implementation of the federal Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act and related school district election changes.
• TASB Legal Services' Sample School District Change of Election Date Resolution is a starting point for changing school board election dates.
• TASB Legal Services' May 2012 Trustee Elections answers frequently asked questions about May 2012 trustee elections, including joint elections, cancellation of elections, canvassing, and more.
• TASB Legal Services' November 2010 Trustee Elections answers frequently asked questions about the November 2010 trustee elections.
• TASB Legal Services' Sample U.S. Department of Justice Preclearance Submission is a starting point for districts changing their elections procedures.
• TASB Legal Services' Sample U.S. Department of Justice Preclearance Submission-Cancellation is a starting point for districts that have cancelled their election and have not yet precleared that change with the U.S. Department of Justice.
• TASB Legal Services' Sample Joint Election Agreements is a starting point for districts moving to joint elections with cities or counties.
• For information on tax ratification elections, see eSource at Business – School Finance and Revenue – Tax Ratification Elections.

• The Texas Secretary of State Elections Division School District Elections Web Site provides a wealth of information, including election procedures, election calendars, joint election requirements, voter accessibility requirements, and Elections Division advisories and memos.
• The U.S. Department of Justice Preclearance Web Site provides guidelines for submission of certain procedural changes for federal review prior to conducting an election.

Post-Election Resources   

Related Policies

For more information on post-elections resources, see your district policy manual at the following code:

BBB

Elections

TASB Resources

• TASB Legal Services' After the Board Election explains what to do immediately following the board election, including canvassing votes and reorganization.
• TASB Leadership Team Services offers helpful guidance on what to do after an election, including electing board officers, bringing new members on board, and training.
  

Other Resources

• The Texas Secretary of State Elections Division School District Elections Web Site provides a wealth of information, including election procedures, election calendars, joint election requirements, voter accessibility requirements, and Elections Division advisories and memos.