The Collin County 2027 Candidate Filing Kit
Everything a first-time candidate in Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, or anywhere in Collin County needs to get on the May 1, 2027 ballot — the calendar, the checklist, and the rules that trip people up. Print it, save it, run with it.
Key 2026 dates
Nearly all local races run on the Texas May Uniform Election Date. Here's the cycle at a glance.
| Appoint campaign treasurer | Before any contribution or expenditure |
| Candidate filing window closes | ~Mid-February 2027 (78th day before election) |
| Early voting | Late April 2027 |
| Election Day | Saturday, May 1, 2027 · 7 a.m.–7 p.m. |
| Run-off (city & county races, if needed) | Saturday, June 12, 2027 |
| School board (ISD) run-off | None — trustees win by plurality |
The candidate checklist
Work top to bottom. The order matters — especially the treasurer step.
- 1Confirm you meet eligibility: U.S. citizen, 18+, registered voter, and the residency requirement for your office.
- 2Decide the exact office and place (seat) you're running for, and identify your filing authority (city secretary, school district, or county).
- 3Appoint a campaign treasurer and file the Campaign Treasurer Appointment (CTA) — BEFORE raising or spending a dollar.
- 4Get the candidate packet and file your Application for a Place on the Ballot by the deadline (~mid-February).
- 5Pay the filing fee or submit the required petition signatures (per your packet).
- 6Open a dedicated campaign bank account (separate from personal funds).
- 7Calendar every campaign-finance report: the 30-day and 8-day pre-election reports are the easiest to miss.
- 8Build your voter universe and a week-by-week plan to early voting and Election Day.
By the office you're seeking
- School board (ISD trustee): officially nonpartisan, often elected at-large, and won by plurality — no run-off. You have to reach the whole district.
- City council & mayor: nonpartisan; if no candidate wins a majority, the top two advance to the June 12, 2027 run-off.
- County offices: partisan primaries run separately in March — different cycle from the May uniform date.
Verify before you rely on it. This kit is a free, general guide using public election information and is not legal advice. Exact dates, fees, and signature requirements are set by your filing authority — your city secretary, school district, or Collin County elections — and can change. Always confirm with them before filing.
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