Texas voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3 for the 2026 midterm election, deciding races that range from the U.S. Senate and governor to congressional, legislative and local officers.
The election comes after a busy primary season and changes to Texas’ congressional districts, meaning some voters may see different candidates and districts on their ballots than they have in previous elections.
For voters planning to participate, the deadline to register is Monday, Oct. 5. Early voting begins Monday, Oct 19 and continues through Friday, Oct. 30. Applications to vote by mail must be received, not simply postmarked, by Friday, Oct. 23. Texas limits voting by mail to voters who meet specific eligibility requirements.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Here is what Texas voters should know before casting a ballot.
U.S. Senate:
One of the most closely watched races on the Texas ballot is for U.S. Senate. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Republican, and State Rep. James Talarico, Democrat, are running for the seat currently held by Republican Sen. John Cornyn.
Paxton defeated Cornyn in the Republican primary runoff in May, while Talarico secured the Democratic nomination.
The winner will serve a six-year term representing Texas in the U.S. Senate.
Governor:
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is seeking a fourth term against Democratic State Rep. Gina Hinojosa. The governor serves as Texas’ chief executive and has the authority to sign or veto legislation, call special legislative sessions, make appointments to boards and agencies and declare certain issues emergency items for the Legislature.
Education has emerged as one area where Abbott and Hinojosa have outlined significant differences.
Abbott has supported the state of Texas’ education savings account program, restrictions on student cell phone usage and changes intended to increase financial accountability in school districts. Hinojosa has called for eliminating the voucher program, replacing the current Texas education commissioner, and moving away from the STAAR testing system.
Lt. Governor:
Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is seeking a fourth term and faces Democratic State Rep. Vikki Goodwin.
The lieutenant governor has significant influence over state legislation. The officeholder presides over the Texas Senate, appoints Senate committees and leadership, assigns bills to committees, and is a major contributor to determining which legislation advances through the chamber.
Attorney General:
Texas will also elect a new Attorney General as Paxton campaigns for the U.S. Senate.
Republican State Sen. Mayes Middleton and Democratic State Sen. Nathan Johnson are competing for the position.
The Attorney General serves as the state’s chief legal officer, and represents Texas in civil litigation issues, certain legal opinions, and oversees certain state divisions, including consumer protection and child support enforcement.
Other statewide offices:
Voters will also decide several other statewide contests. The comptroller acts as Texas’ chief financial officer, collects state taxes and estimates how much money lawmakers have available when creating the state budget.
The ballot also includes races for land commissioner, agriculture commissioner, and a seat on the Texas railroad commission.
Despite its name, the railroad commission no longer regulates railroads. The three-member commission regulates the state’s oil and natural gas industry, including drilling, pipelines, and other energy infrastructure.
Congress and the Texas Legislature:
All 38 Texas seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for election this year. The races are being conducted under congressional districts drawn by state lawmakers in 2025, so voters should verify which congressional district they currently live in before researching candidates. At the state level, all 150 seats in the Texas House of Representatives and 16 out of the 31 Texas Senate seats are on the ballot. Voters may also see State Board of Education and judicial races, depending on where they live.
What do I need to vote?
Texas voters are generally asked to present one of seven approved forms of photo identification, when voting in person, including a Texas driver’s license, Texas identification card, Texas election identification certificate or U.S passport.
Voters who do not possess an acceptable form of photo identification and cannot reasonably obtain one may be able to complete a Reasonable Impediment Declaration, and provide an alternative supporting document.
Texas voters should also remember that participating in a party’s primary does not require them to vote for that party’s candidates in the general election. Registered voters may select any candidate on their November ballot.
What’s actually on my ballot?
Not every Texas voter will see the same ballot. While statewide races such as governor and U.S. Senate appear across Texas, congressional, legislative, judicial, county, and other local races depend on where a voter lives.
Nueces County voters can obtain local election information through the Nueces County Elections Department at https://www.nuecesco.com/elections, while voters anywhere in Texas can check their registration and election information through the Texas Secretary of State’s website at https://www.sos.state.tx.us/.
With races stretching from Washington to local courthouses, voters have several weeks remaining to research candidates and determine what will appear on their individual ballots before early voting begins Oct. 19.
