Sec. 221.015. RIGHT TO OCCUPY OFFICE INVOLVED IN CONTEST. (a) If the official result of a contested election shows that the contestee won, on qualifying as provided by law the contestee is entitled to occupy the office after the beginning of the term for which the election was held, pending the determination of the contest. If the final judgment does not change the official result, the contestee is entitled to continue in office without again qualifying for the office.

(b) If a final judgment declaring the contestant elected is rendered after the beginning of the term for which the contested election was held, on qualifying as provided by law the contestant shall assume office as soon as practicable after the judgment becomes final.

(c) A contestee occupying the office is entitled to the emoluments of the office that accrue during the period of occupancy. A contestant who gains the office is not entitled to emoluments for any period before the contestant assumes office.

(d) If the final judgment declares the election void, the vacancy is created as of the later of the date of the judgment or the first day of the term for which the contested election was held. A person who occupies the office pending the outcome of the new election, either as a constitutional holdover from the prior term or through other law, is entitled to receive the emoluments of office until the successor qualifies for the office after the new election.

(e) The person elected at the new election must qualify for the office as if no contest had occurred.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 759, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.