What happens when only one candidate is running for a particular position – essentially creating an uncontested race? Will their names still be on the ballot?

Under Texas law, unopposed candidates for county, district and statewide offices must still appear on the ballot to be elected. 

That change took effect in 2023 under Senate Bill 1089, which repealed a provision allowing certain unopposed state and county candidates to be declared elected without appearing on the ballot. 

“Excluding the uncontested candidate from the ballot can be seen as a violation of the democratic principles of transparency, fairness, and inclusivity,” an analysis of the bill states. 

However, the unopposed candidates must receive at least one vote to be elected into office, according to SB 1089.

The rules are different for cities, school districts and other local political subdivisions. 

When every candidate for an office is unopposed and the statutory requirements are met, the governing body may declare the candidates elected and cancel the election for those offices. An election generally cannot be canceled if an opposed at-large race is also on that ballot. 

Voters are not required to cast a vote for unopposed candidates on the ballot.

VOTER GUIDE: Here’s everything you need to know about the Nov. 3 elections

The races below are uncontested and, where applicable, will be included on Nov. 3 general election ballots in El Paso. Early voting is Oct. 19-30.

EL PASO COUNTY

• County Clerk: Delia Briones (Democrat)
• District Clerk: Norma Favela Barceleau (Democrat)

STATE REPRESENTATIVES

• District 75: Mary Gonzalez (Democrat)
• District 78: Joe Moody (Democrat)

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Fabens ISD

• Place 1: Angel Ornelas
• Place 2: Benjamin Moralez
• Place 4: Julieta Sepulveda Ramirez

Tornillo ISD

• Place 5: Bryan Alvarez

DISTRICT COURTS

• 327th District Court: Monique Velarde Reyes
• 243rd District Court: Selena Solis
• 210th District Court: Alyssa G. Perez
• 205th District Court: Francisco X. Dominguez
• 171st District Court: Amanda Enriquez

COUNTY COURTS AT LAW

• County Court at Law 1: Ruth Reyes
• County Court at Law 2: Frances M. Maldonado
• County Court at Law 3: Melissa A. Baeza
• County Court at Law 4: Eunice Reyes
• County Court at Law 5: Jesus Rodriguez
• County Court at Law 6: Sue Kurita
• County Court at Law 7: Ruben Morales

COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTS

• County Criminal Court 1: Linda S. Perez
• County Criminal Court 2: Robert S. Anchondo

COUNTY PROBATE COURTS

• County Probate No. 2: Gabriella M. Reed

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

• Precinct 1: Denise Butterworth
• Precinct 2: Christie Saiz
• Precinct 3: Josh Herrera
• Precinct 4: Rebeca Bustamante
• Precinct 5: Dora Oaxaca
• Precinct 6, Place 1: Ruben Lujan
• Precinct 6, Place 2: Enedina “Nina” Serna
• Precinct 7: Humberto “Beto” Enriquez

Contested races in El Paso include four City Council representative seats, two county commissioner seats, the county judge seat, two judicial races and three state representative races.

Two congressional seats and a Texas U.S. Senate seat are also on the ballot, as are the governor’s seat and the attorney general’s position, among others. Several school districts are holding trustee elections, while two school tax ratification elections will also be on the ballot for voters within those boundaries.