Texas election deadlines: What voters need to know before November

November’s election may still be a couple of months away, but it’s never too early to ensure you are ready to vote. Right now, you can:

• Confirm your voter registration is up to date.
• Request a mail-in ballot if needed/you are eligible.
• Begin your candidate research on ATPE’s TeachtheVote.org.
• Talk to your family, friends, and neighbors about the importance of supporting candidates who have a track record of supporting public education.

It’s also important to know the critical election deadlines for Texas voters. This is especially true in areas holding special elections in addition to the general election.

Here are the dates to mark on your calendar.

Oct. 5: Voter registration deadline

Monday, Oct. 5, is the deadline to register to vote for the Nov. 3 General Election. The normal registration deadline falls 30 days before Election Day, but because Oct. 4 is a Sunday, the deadline moves to the next business day.

The time between now and Oct. 5 is also a good time to make sure your voter registration information is up to date, particularly if you’ve moved. Verify your voter registration on the Secretary of State’s website. 

Oct. 19–30: Early voting

Early voting will run from Monday, Oct. 19, through Friday, Oct. 30.

Polling locations and hours can vary by county, so always check your county’s elections website before heading to the polls. Be sure to do your candidate research and make a plan to vote before this period begins.

Note on sample ballots: County election offices will make sample ballots available as the November election approaches. It is always advisable to plan ahead by checking your county elections website for details. 

Oct. 23: Deadline to apply for a ballot by mail

Friday, Oct. 23, is the deadline for receipt of an application for a ballot by mail. This is important: The application must be received by the deadline. Don’t wait until Oct. 23 to put your application in the mail.

Texas law limits eligibility for voting by mail to those who meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Age 65 or older
• Sick or disabled
• Out of their county during the early voting period and on Election Day (this includes college students and the military)
• Expect to give birth within three weeks of Election Day
• Confined in jail, but otherwise eligible
• Civilly committed under Chapter 841 of the Texas Health and Safety Code

Voters who are eligible to vote by mail should also make sure they understand the deadline for returning their completed ballot.  Those deadlines vary depending on the reason for your mail ballot. Check the requirements here. The Texas Secretary of State recommends allowing plenty of time for a mailed ballot to reach the county elections office. 

Caution: There is additional uncertainty around voting by mail this election cycle due to federal initiatives impacting voting by mail and lawsuits involving those initiatives. Voters who can vote by mail but are also able to vote in person may want to consider making the trip to their polling location and voting in person. Often, voting during the early voting period can help you avoid Election Day crowds.

Nov. 3: Election Day

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Check your county elections website for polling locations.

SD 22 and HD 93 will be on the ballot twice

Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has called special elections to fill vacancies in two Texas legislative seats: Senate District (SD) 22 (formerly held by Sen. Brian Birdwell) and House District (HD) 93 (formerly held by Rep. Nate Schatzline). These elections were called following the resignation of Birdwell to join the Trump administration as assistant secretary of defense and the resignation of Schatzline to become an advisor to Gov. Greg Abbott (R).

Voters in those districts will see two elections for the same legislative seat on their ballots. The special election is for the remainder of the current term, which ends in January. The regular general election is for the new term that begins in January 2027.

SBOE 4 vacancy

Former State Board of Education (SBOE) District 4 member Staci Childs (D–Houston) has resigned her seat following her win in the Democratic primary runoff to succeed retiring Rep. Alma Allen (D–Houston) in HD 131. The governor has appointed Tammie Nielsen to temporarily fill the vacancy. The appointment is temporary and ends when a successor is elected.

Democrats have selected Dr. Coretta Mallet-Fontenot as their candidate for the District 4 seat. Republicans have not yet selected a candidate.