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2026 Elections
How to Vote in Texas: 2026 Deadlines, Early Voting & Poll Hours
Everything you need to vote in Texas for the November 3, 2026 general election — when to register, when early voting opens, how to vote by mail, and when polls close.
Rules as of September 17, 2026 · verify at Texas's official election site
Election Day
November 3, 2026
Quick Answer
- Register By
- ≈ Oct 4, 2026 (30 days before Election Day)
- Early Voting
- Opens ≈ Oct 17, 2026
- Mail Ballot Request By
- ≈ Oct 23, 2026
- Polls Close
- 7 p.m. CT / 7 p.m. MT (last close 9:00 p.m. ET)
- Election Day
- November 3, 2026
Build your Texas voting plan
Choose how you plan to vote and we'll narrow the checklist below to the steps and dates that apply to you.
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Oct 4, 2026
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Oct 4, 2026
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Early voting opens
17 days before Election Day 2025 TX SB 2753 would shorten this to 12 days (a Oct 22 start) and require weekend voting throughout, but it does not take effect until the secretary of state publishes a required report. Not in force as of Sept 11, 2026 — re-check before late October.
Official source →≈ Oct 17, 2026
approximate
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See rule
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Election Day
Polls close 7 p.m. CT / 7 p.m. MT (last polls close 9:00 p.m. ET). El Paso and Hudspeth counties are on Mountain time, so Texas is not fully closed until 9 p.m. ET.
Official source →Nov 3, 2026
What's on Your Texas Ballot
Every U.S. House seat is up for election every two years. Whether a U.S. Senate seat is also on the ballot depends on the state.
U.S. House of Representatives
All of Texas's U.S. House seats are on the 2026 ballot. View Texas's current delegation →
U.S. Senate
On the ballotThe November matchup: Ken Paxton (R) vs James Talarico (D).
Find your Texas representative and senators
Enter your address to see exactly who represents you before you vote.
Voter Registration in Texas
To vote in the November 3, 2026 general election, register by ≈ October 4, 2026 — 30 days before Election Day.
Dates marked ≈ are computed from state statute and can shift with county practice. Confirm your exact deadline and check your registration status at Texas's official site.
Early Voting in Texas
Early voting opens ≈ October 17, 2026 — 17 days before Election Day. It runs through Day before Election Day.
2025 TX SB 2753 would shorten this to 12 days (a Oct 22 start) and require weekend voting throughout, but it does not take effect until the secretary of state publishes a required report. Not in force as of Sept 11, 2026 — re-check before late October.
Confirm exact locations and hours — which vary by county — at Texas's official election site.
Voting by Mail in Texas
Texas requires a qualifying excuse to vote by mail. Request deadline: 11 days before Election Day at noon.
Return rule: Postmarked by 7 p.m. on Election Day; domestic ballots must be received by 5 p.m. the day after
Overseas (ABBM) and military FPCA ballots have separate, later receipt deadlines (Monday, Nov 9, 2026) — see votetexas.gov.
Details and request forms are at Texas's official election site.
Voter ID Requirements in Texas
A photo ID is requested, but a voter without one can still cast a ballot that counts without a later trip back — for example by signing an affidavit or having a provisional ballot verified some other way.
Spot-checked 2026-09-17 against votetexas.gov: seven accepted photo IDs (driver license, EIC, personal ID card, handgun license, military ID, citizenship certificate with photo, passport). Without one, a voter may sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration with a supporting document (utility bill, bank statement, etc.) to vote a regular ballot, or cast a provisional ballot and resolve it within six days.
See the full list of accepted ID at Texas's official election site.
Poll Hours in Texas
Polls are open until 7 p.m. CT / 7 p.m. MT on November 3, 2026 — because Texas spans more than one time zone, the last polls in the state close at 9:00 p.m. ET. El Paso and Hudspeth counties are on Mountain time, so Texas is not fully closed until 9 p.m. ET.
See how Texas's closing time compares nationwide on the full poll closing times by state page, or confirm your local hours at Texas's official election site.
Live on Congress Countdown
Live countdown to Election Day — and every date in between
Registration deadlines, early voting, and the full 2026 election calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the deadline to register to vote in Texas?
Online, the deadline is approximately October 4, 2026 (30 days before Election Day). Always confirm the exact date at https://www.votetexas.gov/register-to-vote/index.html.
Can I vote early in person in Texas?
Yes. Early voting opens around October 17, 2026 (17 days before Election Day) and runs through Day before Election Day.
Do I need ID to vote in Texas?
A photo ID is requested, but a voter without one can still cast a ballot that counts without a later trip back — for example by signing an affidavit or having a provisional ballot verified some other way.
When do polls close in Texas?
Polls close 7 p.m. CT / 7 p.m. MT (the last polls in the state close 9:00 p.m. ET) on November 3, 2026.
How do I vote by mail in Texas?
Request a ballot (an excuse is required) — 11 days before Election Day at noon. Postmarked by 7 p.m. on Election Day; domestic ballots must be received by 5 p.m. the day after
What if I miss Texas's registration deadline?
Texas does not offer same-day registration, so missing the deadline means you cannot vote in this election. Register early for next time at https://www.votetexas.gov/register-to-vote/index.html.