Notice of Election and Notice to File for Candidacy. An election for the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature has been scheduled for April 26, 2019. Interested parties in filing for candidacy or individuals eliglble to vote can find additional information including ballots and official candidate petition forms by downloading the 18th TSHL Election Kit
✕Frequently Asked Questions
1What is the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature (TSHL)?
The Texas Silver-Haired Legislature is a non-partisan legislative organization formed by authority of Senate Concurrent Resolution 37 and adopted by the 69th Texas Legislature in 1985. Since that time, the TSHL has worked tirelessly to address issues of concern to the seniors of Texas by having town hall meetings and participating in other statewide meetings with other collaborators on senior issues. Since 1985, over 600 Texas senior citizens have served in the TSHL from the 28 Area Agencies on Aging located in Texas. Members include educators, lawyers, nurses, doctors and other healthcare workers, former legislators, financial advisors, law enforcement, retired military, insurance agents and many other fields.
2What are the goals of the TSHL?
- To motivate older citizens to realize that legislative involvement is a primary responsibility of effective citizenship.
- To help older Texans know that if they are to become a viable political force, they must become informed and knowledgeable about the issues facing our community, state and nation.
- To develop a forum for older persons to discuss and debate issues concerning not only their own welfare, but also that of others.
- To educate the Silver-Haired Legislators in their advocacy role in order that they may continue their involvement in legislative matters in their local community.
- To provide a model legislative body in which the Silver-Haired Legislators will have the opportunity to introduce, discuss, and pass resolutions dealing with major concerns of our state.
- To work for the passage in the regular Texas Legislature of resolutions adopted by the TSHL, especially those that were prioritized.
3Who coordinates the TSHL elections in Texoma?
The Area Agency on Aging of Texoma, which is housed within Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG), coordinates the TSHL election process in the following counties: Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson.
4Who can be a candidate for the TSHL?
A candidate for the TSHL must meet the following criteria:
- Must be age 60 years or older prior to filing for election
- Must be a resident of the AAA area to file as a candidate in that area
- Must be a registered voter in the State of Texas.
- Must be willing to participate in all activities required and expected of Texas Silver-Haired Legislators.
- Must file for candidacy.
- The candidate must provide a postal address where constituents can contact the member. The address must be available for publishing in TSHL documents and on the TSHL website. Members are encouraged to also make their phone numbers and email addresses available to constituents.
- To become a candidate, an individual must complete an official Candidate Petition (Form 105) by obtaining 25 signatures from registered voters who are 60 years of age or older at the time of signing, and who live in the area the candidate seeks to represent. With the submission of required forms, the person becomes an official TSHL candidate
5Who can vote in TSHL elections?
A person who is a registered Texas voter and 60 years of age or older on the date of the election may vote in the TSHL election held for the AAA district in which the voter lives.
6Who are the current TSHL representatives for the Texoma area?
- Cooke County
- Rod Tyler
PO Box 172
Gainesville, TX 76241
(940) 736-4010
ramrods@ntin.net - Fannin County
- Joe C. Dale
2003 S. Village Dr.
Bonham, TX 75418
(903) 583-3844
joecdale@hotmail.com - Grayson County
- Joe C. Henderson
101 Crescent Drive
Pottsboro, TX 75076
(903) 786-9090
joehend@myrhinomail.com - Sharon Brazeal
- Barbara Spears
- Kate Whitfield
7When is the next TSHL election?
TSHL elections are held on the fourth Friday of April. The 2019 election will be held on Friday, April 26th.
8Does the TSHL have its own website?
Yes. To access the website, please visit www.txshl.org.
9How do I get more information about the TSHL for the area covered by the Area Agency on Aging of Texoma?
Better Texas Through The Ages