Which statement about Texas municipal elections is accurate?

The assertion that partisanship was not an issue for most of the twentieth century accurately reflects the historical context of Texas municipal elections. For a significant portion of the 1900s, many local elections operated in a nonpartisan manner, where political party affiliation did not play a prominent role in the electoral process. During this period, cities often emphasized local issues and candidate qualifications over party lines, which allowed for a more community-focused approach to governance.

As the political landscape evolved later in the century, partisanship began to influence municipal elections more heavily, leading to the development of party-affiliated candidates and campaigns. This shift is essential to understanding the dynamics of Texas municipal elections and how they differ from federal or state elections, which tend to be more explicitly partisan in nature.