Texas Voting Guide
A task-focused dashboard for registration, deadlines, ID rules, ballot tools, and official election authority links for the 2026 midterms.
Not an official government website. Election laws and deadlines can change. Use this guide as a starting point, then confirm legally binding details with the official source links on this page.
State Voting Summary
In Texas, the next general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026. To participate, voters must meet the following registration deadlines — online: No online voter registration option listed by Vote.gov; mail: Must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day — Closed Oct. 5; in-person: 30 days before Election Day — Closed Oct. 5.
Early voting schedule: Early voting runs Monday, Oct. 19 through Friday, Oct. 30, with longer hours in the final week. Absentee ballot request deadline: Your county early voting clerk must receive your application by Friday, Oct. 23. Ballot return deadline: Your county must receive your ballot by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3, or by 5 p.m. on Nov. 4 if it was placed for delivery by 7 p.m. on Election Day and carries a postmark or carrier receipt mark.
ID requirement for Texas: Texas requires one of seven photo IDs: a Texas driver's license, Election Identification Certificate, personal ID card, or handgun license, a U.S. military ID, a citizenship certificate with photo, or a U.S. passport. If you can't reasonably get one, you can sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and show a supporting document, such as your voter registration certificate or a utility bill. Always verify these dates and rules directly with the official Texas election authority before Election Day.
Quick actions
Registration sourcevote.govPolling place sourcesos.texas.govBallot information sourcesos.texas.govCandidate information sourcesos.texas.govVoter Registration
- Online
- No online voter registration option listed by Vote.gov.
- By mail
- Must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day — Closed Oct. 5
- In person
- 30 days before Election Day — Closed Oct. 5
- Eligibility
- U.S. citizen, resident of Texas, and 18 by Election Day; confirm special circumstances with the official source.Verify at official source
Election Dates and Ballot Timing
General Election
November 3, 2026
Primary Election
March 3, 2026; runoff May 26, 2026 if needed
- Primary
- March 3, 2026; runoff May 26, 2026 if needed
- General
- November 3, 2026
- Early voting
- Early voting runs Monday, Oct. 19 through Friday, Oct. 30, with longer hours in the final week.Source: sos.texas.gov
- Ballot request
- Your county early voting clerk must receive your application by Friday, Oct. 23.Source: sos.texas.gov
- Ballot return
- Your county must receive your ballot by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3, or by 5 p.m. on Nov. 4 if it was placed for delivery by 7 p.m. on Election Day and carries a postmark or carrier receipt mark.Source: sos.texas.gov
How to Vote and ID Rules
Accepted ID guidance
Texas requires one of seven photo IDs: a Texas driver's license, Election Identification Certificate, personal ID card, or handgun license, a U.S. military ID, a citizenship certificate with photo, or a U.S. passport. If you can't reasonably get one, you can sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and show a supporting document, such as your voter registration certificate or a utility bill.
Source: votetexas.govMail voting guidance
Texas requires a reason: you are 65 or older, you are sick or disabled, you will be out of your county for the whole voting period, or you are confined in jail but otherwise eligible. Put your Texas ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security number on both the application and the carrier envelope.
Source: votetexas.govEverything you need to prep and track your absentee ballot securely.
Envelopes
Stamps
Black/blue pens
Small file folder
Calendar and reminder planner
Address labels
Privacy roller stamp
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Ballot and Candidate Tools
Federal races: U.S. House and U.S. Senate.Verified official source
Statewide/local races: Statewide, legislative, judicial, and local offices vary by state and district; confirm your sample ballot with the official election authority.Verify at official source
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the voter registration deadline in Texas for the 2026 midterms?
Vote.gov lists these registration timing rules for Texas: online - No online voter registration option listed by Vote.gov; by mail - Must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day — Closed Oct. 5; in person - 30 days before Election Day — Closed Oct. 5. Eligibility rules state: U.S. citizen, resident of Texas, and 18 by Election Day; confirm special circumstances with the official source. Check with Texas Secretary of State Elections Division for full details.
When does early voting start in Texas?
Early voting runs Monday, Oct. 19 through Friday, Oct. 30, with longer hours in the final week.
Do I need an ID to vote in Texas?
For ID requirements: Texas requires one of seven photo IDs: a Texas driver's license, Election Identification Certificate, personal ID card, or handgun license, a U.S. military ID, a citizenship certificate with photo, or a U.S. passport. If you can't reasonably get one, you can sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and show a supporting document, such as your voter registration certificate or a utility bill.
How do I request an absentee or mail ballot in Texas?
Texas requires a reason: you are 65 or older, you are sick or disabled, you will be out of your county for the whole voting period, or you are confined in jail but otherwise eligible. Put your Texas ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security number on both the application and the carrier envelope. Regarding timing: Your county early voting clerk must receive your application by Friday, Oct. 23. And for returns: Your county must receive your ballot by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3, or by 5 p.m. on Nov. 4 if it was placed for delivery by 7 p.m. on Election Day and carries a postmark or carrier receipt mark.