Early voting starts Monday, October 19 and goes through Friday, October 30 (hours & locations can be found on IWillVote). Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls are open 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Find official voting information
Questions about voting? Call the voter hotline at 844-TX-VOTES (844-898-6837)
Find Your Polling Location
Key dates for the November 2026 election
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| MON, OCT 19 – FRI, OCT 30 | Early voting, in person. Many counties allow voters to cast a ballot at any early-voting location in the county where they are registered. Locations and hours vary, so check with your county elections office or VoteTexas.gov before you go. |
| FRI, OCT 23 If you’re sending in a vote-by-mail application, we encourage you to send it today instead of waiting until this deadline. | Vote-by-mail application deadline. Applications must be received (not just postmarked) by your county’s early voting clerk by close of business or 12:00 PM, whichever is later. |
| FRI, OCT 30 | Last day of early voting. Final day to vote early in person. |
| TUE, NOV 3 | Election Day. Polls open 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Bring photo ID. If you’re in line by 7:00 PM, you get to vote — stay in line. Mail ballots must be received by 7:00 PM today if the envelope isn’t postmarked. Ballots postmarked by Nov 3 count if received by Nov 4 at 5 PM. |
For official election information, contact your county elections office or the Texas Secretary of State.
For voter-support assistance, call 844-TX-VOTES (844-898-6837)
Are you registered to vote? Check your registration
Use the Texas Secretary of State’s My Voter Portal to check your registration, confirm your address, and find official election information.
Even if you have voted before, it is a good idea to take a moment to make sure your name and address are current—especially if you have moved or changed your name.
If your status shows “suspense,” you are still registered. It generally means your county needs to confirm your current residential address. Contact your county voter registrar or use the state’s official voter-registration update service to update your information before Election Day.
You’re eligible to register in Texas if you:
- Are a U.S. citizen
- Are a resident of the county where you’re applying
- Are at least 17 years and 10 months old (you must be 18 by Election Day to vote)
- Have not been convicted of a felony, or have completed your sentence (see below)
- Have not been declared totally mentally incapacitated by a court, or partially incapacitated without the right to vote
Bring ID, or use an alternative
Under Texas law, voters who possess one of the seven acceptable forms of photo ID must present that ID at the polls when voting in person. Voters who do not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of the seven approved forms of photo ID may fill out a “Reasonable Impediment Declaration” at the polls and present an alternative form of ID, such as a utility bill, bank statement, government check, or a voter registration certificate.
Acceptable forms of ID:
- Texas Driver License (issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS))
- U.S. Passport (book or card)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
- Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
- A U.S. Military ID Card containing your photo
- United States Citizenship Certificate containing your photo
*For most voters, these items must be current or have expired no earlier than 4 years before the date of presentation. For voters over 70, the ID may be expired for any length of time. A voter who does not have a photo ID may still vote if he or she fills out a “Reasonable Impediment Declaration” and presents an original or copy of one of the following documents that shows his or her name and address:
Other government document that shows the voter’s name and an address, including a voter registration certificate
- Current utility bill
- Bank statement
- Government check
- Paycheck
- Certified domestic birth certificate or court admissible birth certificate
If you do not have an approved photo ID and cannot reasonably obtain one, Texas provides another option. Bring a supporting document—such as a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government document, or voter registration certificate—and ask about completing a Reasonable Impediment Declaration.
Read the official Texas voter ID guide
Where to vote in November? Find your polling location
During early voting (Oct 19 – Oct 30), many counties allow voters to vote at any early-voting location in the county where they are registered. Locations and hours vary, so confirm before you go.
On Election Day, confirm your voting location before you go. Your county elections office or the Texas Secretary of State’s My Voter Portal will provide the official location and hours.
Find your official polling location
Vote by mail
How To Apply
- Get the application. Download the Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM) from VoteTexas.gov, or contact your county’s Early Voting Clerk to request one by mail, email, or fax.
- Fill it out completely. Double-check that you:
✅ Write down your Texas Driver’s License, Personal ID, or Election ID Certificate number issued by DPS — or, if you haven’t been issued one, the last four digits of your Social Security Number. The number you provide must match what is on file with your voter registration.
✅ Include your phone number, so your county elections office can call you with any questions about your application. Sign and date the application. If someone helped you fill it out or will mail it for you, that person must also complete the assistant section. - Submit it to your county’s Early Voting Clerk — not to the Secretary of State. You can submit by mail, in person, fax, or email. It must be received by your local county clerk no later than October 23, 2026.
Apply for your mail ballot application
Military and overseas voting information
Already have your ballot? Read official return instructions.
Returning Your Mail Ballot
Once you receive your ballot, follow these steps carefully. Mistakes on the carrier envelope are the most common reason mail ballots get rejected.
Marking and sealing your ballot
- Mark your ballot. Vote your choices, then place the completed ballot inside the white secrecy envelope provided.
- Place the secrecy envelope inside the carrier envelope. Do not seal the carrier envelope yet.
- Write your ID number under the security flap. Before sealing the carrier envelope, you must provide — in the space under the flap — your Texas Driver’s License / Personal ID / Election ID Certificate number. If you have not been issued any of the above mentioned numbers by DPS, then write the last four digits of your SSN. This must be the same type of number you used on your application, and it must match your voter registration record. If you have not been issued a SSN, a statement that you have not been issued any of the numbers described above.
- Seal the carrier envelope and sign across the flap where indicated.
*If someone assisted you with reading or marking your ballot, that person must complete and sign the Oath of Assistance on the carrier envelope, including their name, address, and relationship to you.
- Return your ballot to the Early Voting Clerk either by mail or in person on Election Day at your county’s early voting clerk’s office. If returning in person, ballots must be returned by the voter using an acceptable form of ID that can be used for in-person voting. A list of Texas county election officials can be accessed here.
Don’t forget the ID number. Your ballot must include a valid ID number on the carrier envelope or a statement that you have not been issued any of the numbers described above. This is the most common mistake voters make — and the number must match what’s on your voter registration record.
USPS postmark warning: The U.S. Postal Service has changed its operations and may not postmark your mail on the same day it takes possession of it. If you’re mailing your ballot close to Election Day, visit a USPS retail location and request a free manual postmark at the counter to guarantee the correct date. Do not rely on a mailbox drop if you’re cutting it close.
The SOS has a statewide mail in ballot and application tracker that you can use to track the status of your ballot by mail application or ballot.
If you have moved
Moved to another Texas county? Register to vote in your new county by October 5 for the November 3rd election.
- Moved within the same county? Update your address with your county voter registrar or through the state’s official voter-registration update service.
- Moved to another Texas county? Register in your new county by October 5 for the November election.
- Not sure what to do? Contact your new county elections office for official guidance.
Update your voter registration
Questions at the polls?
If you have a question or run into a problem, ask an election worker or election judge for help. If you believe you are eligible to vote but there is an issue with your registration or identification, ask about your options, including a provisional ballot.
Questions about voting? Call the voter hotline at 844-TX-VOTES (844-898-6837)
You can also contact your county elections office through the Secretary of State’s website and find more information at VoteTexas.gov.