Where candidates file
Major-party candidates for a multi-county court of appeals district file with the state chair of their political party.
Sample Ballot2028
Vote for one
Justice, 13th Court of Appeals, Place 3Elijah "Big Dan" Vargas
2028 Race Information
Know the dates. Know the process.
A planning guide to the Democratic primary and general election for Justice, 13th Court of Appeals, Place 3, including candidate filing, voting, and judicial campaign-finance milestones.
Daniel Elijah Vargas for Justice13th Court of Appeals · Place 3
At a Glance
One appellate seat. Twenty counties. Two election days.
- Election cycle
- 2028
- Office
- Justice, 13th Court of Appeals, Place 3
- Primary
- Democratic Party
- District
- Twenty South Texas counties
Ballot Area
The 13th Court of Appeals district
Aransas · Bee · Calhoun · Cameron · DeWitt · Goliad · Gonzales · Hidalgo · Jackson · Kenedy · Kleberg · Lavaca · Live Oak · Matagorda · Nueces · Refugio · San Patricio · Victoria · Wharton · Willacy
Election Calendar
The road to November 2028.
Candidate filing, voter registration, early voting, primary, runoff, and general election milestones appear in chronological order.
- Campaign Finance
Judicial fundraising period begins
The campaign plans to begin accepting contributions on this date, 210 days before the projected candidate filing deadline.
- Candidate Filing
Projected filing period opens
Under the current filing schedule, a major-party candidate may begin filing 30 days before the deadline.
- Candidate Filing
Projected candidate filing deadline
The application for a place on the Democratic primary ballot is expected to be due to the state party chair by this deadline.
- Primary Election
Projected voter registration deadline
Eligible voters should register or update their registration by this planning date for the primary election.
- Primary Election
Projected early voting period
In-person early voting is expected during this period under the current Texas election calendar rules.
- Primary Election
Democratic primary election
Voters choose the Democratic nominee for Justice, 13th Court of Appeals, Place 3.
- Primary Election
Primary runoff, if required
A runoff is held only if no candidate receives the vote required to win the nomination in the primary.
- General Election
Projected voter registration deadline
Eligible voters should register or update their registration by this planning date for the general election.
- General Election
Projected early voting period
In-person early voting is expected during this period under the current Texas election calendar rules.
- General Election
General election
Voters elect the Justice who will serve in Place 3 on the 13th Court of Appeals.
Candidate Filing
Getting onto the primary ballot.
How candidates qualify
Texas law requires an application and either the applicable filing fee or a petition in lieu of the fee. Judicial candidates also follow special petition requirements.
What remains provisional
The filing window and related requirements remain planning information until the Texas Secretary of State and state party publish their official 2028 guidance.
Campaign Contributions
A judicial campaign has a defined fundraising window.
Campaign fundraising and contributions begin May 17, 2027.
May 17, 2027
The contribution page remains unavailable before the campaign’s judicial fundraising period begins.
After the last election
Under current law, the judicial contribution period generally ends 120 days after the last election in which the candidate appears. If the campaign advances through the general election, that planning date is March 7, 2029.
Limits and reporting apply
Judicial campaigns follow special contribution limits, donor eligibility rules, and disclosure requirements. The campaign’s approved contribution platform will enforce the applicable rules.
Official Resources
Confirm before you file, give, or vote.
State and county election officials remain the authoritative source for final deadlines, polling information, eligibility, and campaign-finance rules.
VoteTexas voter informationRegistration, voting methods, identification requirements, and county election contacts.Texas Secretary of State electionsOfficial election calendars, candidate guidance, forms, and election advisories.Texas Ethics Commission judicial resourcesJudicial campaign-finance guides, contribution rules, and reporting information.