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UpdateTexasSunday, October 25, 2026

Texas candidate who died in September remains on November ballot

Reporting by
Newsweek
“Why a Texas Candidate Who Died Weeks Ago Could Still Win Election”, Sunday, October 25, 2026
Read the full story
What happened

Richard Davis, the incumbent justice of the peace for Precinct 2, Place 2, in Brazoria County, Texas, died on September 14. Davis will remain on the ballot for the November 3 election because he died after the August 21 deadline set by Section 145.039 of the Texas Election Code. The deadline requires candidates who die after the 74th day before election day to stay on the ballot.1

If Davis wins, the Brazoria County Commissioners Court will appoint a qualified replacement to serve a two-year term, and voters will choose a permanent successor at the next general election.1

74 days
deadline before election day after which a candidate who dies stays on the ballot1
two years
term length for appointed replacement if Davis wins1

Key dates in Texas

Election Day in 7 days
  1. Mon, Oct 5 · passed
    Registration deadline
  2. Mon, Oct 19 · passed
    Early voting begins
  3. Fri, Oct 23 · passed
    Last day for mail ballot applications
  4. Tue, Nov 3 · 7 days
    Election Day
  5. Wed, Nov 4 · 8 days
    Mail ballots must arrive
  6. Tue, Nov 17 · 21 days
    County/Local certification
  7. Mon, Dec 7 · 41 days
    State certification

Every date in Texas, and who certifies the election

The answers behind this
How votes are counted and made officialVoting in Texas, 2026How are votes counted and certified in Texas?Who certifies the election in Texas, and by when?

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Sources

  1. Newsweek, https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMioAFBVV95cUxNenZ4SVhzdFZ0TXM4enJleVZBYWxKWEM5VGF6RlNCNlR0d3p2TGpCZmdPakFjUVFKWk1oUWE3YWxSeHVsMGFtSVo2S2k0bGlhdDZZbHc2WEg5Q2NEc0k5WVJTWTBocGJva1ctUmhOeTVMb1hTa3dPVWJ4ZU1GaXEyZmo2akU5RnZic19aNnJUVFJ3X3ZHTW1JYjVCUHk2THRF?oc=5 · Sunday, October 25, 2026

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