For Texans planning to vote in the November 2026 election, the date on the calendar is only part of the picture. Someone may know that Election Day is November 3 but not realize that voting begins more than two weeks earlier, that polling hours change during the early-voting period, or that a nearby voting location may keep a different schedule from the county’s main site. Those details matter when arranging time away from work, checking a voter record, or deciding whether to request a mail ballot.
Early voting in Texas starts Monday, October 19, 2026, and ends Friday, October 30, 2026. The dates are confirmed by the Texas Secretary of State for the November 3 general election. Here is the schedule and what voters should check before going to the polls.
Texas Early Voting Dates for November 2026
The important statewide dates are:
- October 5, 2026 (Monday): Voter registration deadline for the November general election. This deadline has passed.
- October 19, 2026 (Monday): First day of in-person early voting.
- October 23, 2026 (Friday): Last day the early voting clerk can receive an application for a ballot by mail.
- October 24–25, 2026 (Saturday and Sunday): Required weekend voting at the main early-voting polling place in every Texas county.
- October 30, 2026 (Friday): Final day of in-person early voting.
- November 3, 2026 (Tuesday): Election Day, with polls generally open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
These dates concern the November 3 general election. May elections, primaries, runoffs and special elections can follow different calendars.
What Time Does Early Voting Open in Texas?
There is no single statewide opening hour for every early-voting location. Texas law sets minimum periods for the main county early-voting site, while each county publishes the actual opening and closing times. Some branch locations may have different hours.
October 19–23: The main early-voting site must generally offer at least nine hours of voting each weekday.
Saturday, October 24: Every county’s main early-voting site must provide at least 12 consecutive hours.
Sunday, October 25: The main site must offer at least six consecutive hours.
October 26–30: The main early-voting location must operate for at least 12 consecutive hours each weekday. The law permits these weekday hours between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., but that does not mean every site opens at 6 a.m. or closes at 10 p.m.
Certain required branch locations in counties with populations of at least 100,000 must also meet the applicable weekend requirements. Voters should confirm the hours of the particular location they plan to visit rather than assuming every site follows the main location’s schedule.
Who Can Vote Early in Texas?
Any person who is registered and otherwise qualified to vote in the election can vote early in person. Texas does not require voters to explain why they prefer an earlier date or show proof that they will be unavailable on Election Day.
The October 5 registration deadline has already passed for this election. Anyone who applied by that date but cannot find their record should contact their county voter registrar promptly. A new registration submitted after the deadline generally does not establish eligibility for the November 3 election.
Where to Find Texas Early Voting Locations
During early voting, eligible voters may use any designated early-voting location in their county of registration; they are not restricted to one neighborhood precinct. They cannot ordinarily use an early-voting site in a different Texas county simply because it is closer to work.
To locate a site, visit VoteTexas.gov, choose the voter-registration lookup, and check the polling locations listed for the November election. The Texas Secretary of State says location information is added shortly before early voting begins. A county election office is another reliable source for addresses, accessibility information and local voting hours.
Do not assume a building used in a previous election is serving as a polling site again. Confirm the exact address and schedule before leaving home.
What ID Do You Need for Early Voting?
Texas generally requires voters who possess an approved photo ID to present it when voting in person. Accepted forms include a Texas driver license, Texas election identification certificate, Texas personal ID card, Texas handgun license, U.S. military photo ID, U.S. citizenship certificate with photograph, or U.S. passport book or card.
For voters ages 18–69, most approved IDs may be expired for no more than four years; voters age 70 or older may generally use an otherwise valid approved ID regardless of how long it has been expired.
Someone who does not possess and cannot reasonably obtain an approved photo ID may instead qualify to present an accepted supporting document and complete a Reasonable Impediment Declaration. The official rules are available on VoteTexas.gov. A voter-registration certificate is useful to carry but does not replace every ID requirement.
Texas Early Voting by Mail: Important Deadlines
Voting early by mail is different from voting early in person. Texas limits ballot-by-mail eligibility to specified circumstances, including voters age 65 or older on Election Day, qualifying sickness or disability, an expected birth within the statutory period, certain confinement situations, or absence from the county during both Election Day and the hours of in-person early voting.
For the November 3 election, the application for a ballot by mail must be received by Friday, October 23, 2026—a postmark alone is not enough. Completed domestic mail ballots ordinarily must arrive by 7 p.m. on November 3 if they lack a qualifying timely postmark. A domestic ballot bearing the required postmark by 7 p.m. on Election Day may arrive by 5 p.m. on November 4. Separate rules apply to certain overseas and military ballots.
The safest approach is to check eligibility and the application instructions directly with the county early voting clerk well before the deadline.
What If You Miss the Early Voting Period?
Voters who do not cast a ballot by October 30 can still vote on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, if eligible. Election Day polls generally operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Texas counties differ in whether voters may use any countywide vote center or must attend an assigned precinct location on Election Day, so check the correct Election Day site separately.
For statewide election questions, the Texas Secretary of State’s Elections Division can be reached at 800-252-VOTE (8683). County election officials are better placed to resolve an individual voter-registration or polling-site question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I vote early in Texas if my registration status says “suspense”?
A: Potentially, yes. Suspense generally means the registrar needs to confirm a residential address; it does not automatically disqualify a voter. Someone still living within the registered county may be able to complete a Statement of Residence at the polling place. Contact the county registrar first if the address situation is unclear.
Q. I moved to another Texas county. Can I cast an early ballot?
A: A voter registered in a previous Texas county who is not yet effectively registered in the new county may qualify for a limited ballot. This option is available only during early voting, at the new county’s main early-voting site, and covers statewide contests plus certain districts shared by both counties. Eligibility conditions apply, so ask the new county’s early voting clerk before visiting.
Q. Is curbside early voting available for voters with disabilities?
A: Yes. Texas provides curbside voting assistance for eligible voters who cannot enter the polling place without personal assistance or a likelihood of injury to their health. Polling sites must designate curbside voting parking and provide instructions, such as a phone number or call button, to request an election official.
Q. Can I use my phone to review candidate information while voting?
A: Not inside the room where voting is taking place. Texas restricts wireless communication devices in that room and prohibits recording images or sounds within 100 feet of a voting station. Review information beforehand and follow instructions from election workers.
Q. Can I wear a campaign shirt to an early-voting location?
A: Texas prohibits electioneering within the marked 100-foot area around a polling-place entrance. Apparel supporting or opposing a candidate, political party or measure can fall under those restrictions; election officials may require a voter to cover or remove it before entering.
