Across Texas, party activists for both the Republican and Democrat parties have begun filing their ballot applications to run for precinct chair positions. Precinct chair ballot filing will continue until December 11, and voters will pick their precinct chairs in the primary elections scheduled for March 5, 2025.

So, what exactly is a precinct chair and why should you care? Here’s everything you need to know about this election.

The precinct chairs of a county party essentially operate as the county party’s board members. The precinct chairs vote on passing resolutions, spending county party funds, and other activities affecting the overall well being of the county party. In addition, if a county party’s nominee for the general election is unable to continue to November, the precinct chairs are allowed to select an individual to replace that person on the ballot.

One of the biggest responsibilities of the precinct chairs, however, is to elect county party officers. This includes electing a chairman if the chairmanship becomes vacant at any time.

Amarillo voters saw this exact scenario play out this year, as precinct chairs in Randall County were tasked with electing a new county chairman upon the resignation of county chairman Tim Revell. Precinct chairs selected one of their own — precinct chairman Kelly Giles — to serve in the position.

Precinct chairs are elected to represent their electoral precincts — small constituencies that often encompass one to two neighborhoods. For example, Potter County has 24 electoral precincts, while Randall County has 30 precincts. Voters in each precinct may elect one Republican precinct chair and one Democrat precinct chair — each of whom is selected in the primary election, or appointed by the county’s executive committee if the position is vacant after the primary election.

Running for precinct chair does not cost anything for the candidate filing and does not require any type of ballot petition or other filing fee.

According to the Texas Secretary of State’s office, no candidates have filed for precinct chair positions in either county. However, ballot filings are expected in the coming weeks as the filing deadline approaches.

For information about how to file for precinct chair, you are asked to call your county party or contact your county party’s chairman. Potter County Republican Chairman Dan Rogers may be contacted by phone at 806-351-0884. Randall County Republican Chairman Kelly Giles may be contacted at 806-359-1606.

Chairmen for both the Potter and Randall County Democrat parties may be contacted through the county parties’ social media accounts.

To find your precinct, visit the appropriate link below: