State of Texas Election Calendar: 2026 Elections
Please find important dates around registration and voting for every election in 2026
| Tuesday, March 3, 2026 – Primary Election | |
|---|---|
| First day to file for a place on the Primary ballot for precinct chair candidates. | Tuesday, September 9, 2025 |
| First day to file for all other candidates for offices that are regularly scheduled to be on the Primary ballot; first day for independent candidates to file declaration of intent. | Saturday, November 8, 2025 |
| Filing deadline for primary candidates; filing deadline for independent candidates to file declaration of intent. | Monday, December 8, 2025 at 6:00 PM |
| First day to apply for a ballot by mail using Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM) or Federal Postcard Application (FPCA). | Thursday, January 1, 2026* *First day to file does not move because of New Year’s Day holiday. An “Annual ABBM” or FPCA for a January or February 2026 election may be filed earlier, but not earlier than the 60th day before the date of the January or February election. |
| Last Day to Register to Vote | Monday, February 2, 2026 |
| First Day of Early Voting | Tuesday, February 17, 2026* *First business day after President’s Day |
| Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked) | Friday, February 20, 2026 |
| Last Day of Early Voting | Friday, February 27, 2026 |
| Last day to Receive Ballot by Mail | Tuesday, March 3, 2026 (Election Day) at 7:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is not postmarked, OR Wednesday, March 4, 2026 (next business day after Election Day) at 5:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7:00 p.m. at the location of the election on Election Day (unless overseas or military voter deadlines apply)4 |
| Saturday, May 2, 2026 – Uniform Election Date (Limited) | |
|---|---|
| Authority Conducting Elections | Local Non-County Political Subdivisions (County-ordered elections may not be held on this date. County Election Official may, but is not required to, contract to provide election services to political subdivisions holding elections on this date.) |
| Deadline to post candidate requirements5 Form 1-20 | Friday, May 2, 2025 |
| Deadline to Post Notice of Candidate Filing Deadline (Local Non-County Political Subdivisions Only)1 | Monday, December 15, 2025 |
| First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail | Thursday, January 1, 2026* *First day to file does not move because of New Year’s Day holiday. An “Annual ABBM” or FPCA for a January or February 2026 election may be filed earlier, but not earlier than the 60th day before the date of the January or February election. |
| Last Day for Candidates Planning to File for a Place on the General Election Ballot (Local Non-County Political Subdivisions Only) to Register to Vote or Update Voter Registration | Tuesday, January 13, 2026 |
| First Day to File for a Place on the General Election Ballot (Local Non-County Political Subdivisions Only)1 | Wednesday, January 14, 2026 |
| Last Day to Order General Election or Special Election on a Measure | Friday, February 13, 2026 |
| Last Day to File for a Place on the General Election Ballot (Local Non-County Political Subdivisions Only)2 | Friday, February 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. See note below relating to four-year terms3 |
| Last Day to File a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy (Local Non-County Political Subdivisions Only) | Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. |
| Last Day to Register to Vote | Thursday, April 2, 2026 |
| First Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance | Monday, April 20, 2026 |
| Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked) | Monday, April 20, 2026 (deadline falls on San Jacinto Day, moves to preceding business day) |
| Last Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance | Tuesday, April 28, 2026 |
| Last day to Receive Ballot by Mail | Saturday, May 2, 2026 (Election Day) at 7:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is not postmarked, OR Monday, May 4, 2026 (next business day after Election Day) at 5:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7:00 p.m. at the location of the election on Election Day (unless overseas or military voter deadlines apply)4 |
| Tuesday, May 26, 2026 – Primary Runoff Election | |
|---|---|
| First day to apply for a ballot by mail using Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM) or Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) | Thursday, January 1, 2026* *First day to file does not move because of New Year’s Day holiday. An “Annual ABBM” or FPCA for a January or February 2026 election may be filed earlier, but not earlier than the 60th day before the date of the January or February election. |
| Last Day to Register to Vote | Monday, April 27, 2026 |
| Last Day to Apply by Mail (Received, not Postmarked) | Friday, May 15, 2026 |
| First Day of Early Voting | Monday, May 18, 2026 |
| Last Day of Early Voting | Friday, May 22, 2026 |
| Last Day to Receive Ballot by Mail | Tuesday, May 26, 2026 (Election Day) at 7:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is not postmarked, OR Wednesday, May 27, 2026 (next business day after Election Day) at 5:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7:00 p.m. at the location of the election on Election Day (unless overseas or military voter deadlines apply)4 |
| Tuesday, November 3, 2026 – Uniform Election Date | |
|---|---|
| Deadline to post candidate requirements5 Form 1-20 | Monday, November 3, 2025 |
| First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail | Thursday, January 1, 2026* *First day to file does not move because of New Year’s Day holiday. An “Annual ABBM” or FPCA for a January or February 2026 election may be filed earlier, but not earlier than the 60th day before the date of the January or February election. |
| Deadline to Post Notice of Candidate Filing Deadline (Local Non-County Political Subdivisions Only) | Thursday, June 18, 2026 for local political subdivisions that have a first day to file for their candidates1 |
| Last Day for Candidates Planning to File for a Place on the General Election Ballot (Local Non-County Political Subdivisions Only) to Register to Vote or Update Voter Registration | Friday, July 17, 2026 |
| First Day to File for a Place on the General Election Ballot (Local Non-County Political Subdivisions Only)1 | Saturday, July 18, 2026 |
| First Day to File a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy (General Election for State and County Officers) | Monday, July 20, 2026 |
| Last Day to Order General Election or Special Election on a Measure | Monday, August 17, 2026 |
| Last Day to File for a Place on the General Election Ballot (Local Non-County Political Subdivisions Only)2 | Monday, August 17, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. See note below relating to four-year terms 3 |
| Last Day to File a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy (General Election for State and County Officers) | Monday, August 17, 2026 |
| Last Day to File a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy (Local Non-County Political Subdivisions Only) | Friday, August 21, 2026 |
| Last Day to Register to Vote | Monday, October 5, 2026 |
| First Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance | Monday, October 19, 2026 |
| Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked) | Friday, October 23, 2026 |
| Last Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance | Friday, October 30, 2026 |
| Last day to Receive Ballot by Mail | Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (Election Day) at 7:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is not postmarked, OR Wednesday, November 4, 2026 (next business day after Election Day) at 5:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7:00 p.m. at the location of the election on Election Day (unless overseas or military voter deadlines apply)4 |
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