Voting Information

Key Dates – Texas 2026 Primary

Always verify dates with the Texas Secretary of State or your County Elections office before finalizing. These dates are subject to changes from the 2025 legislative session.

Find Your Polling Place in District 23

Register to Vote

• Fill out the online voter registration, print, sign, and mail it.
• Request a postage-paid application from the Texas Secretary of State.
• Pick up and submit a registration at your County Voter Registrar or many public libraries.
• Update your address within the same county online (if eligible) via the state portal.

Who Can Vote in the Texas Primary

• Be a U.S. citizen and a resident of the county where you register.
• Be at least 18 years old on Election Day.
• Not be a convicted felon (unless your sentence is fully completed, including parole and probation).
• Not be declared mentally incapacitated to vote by a court.
• Texas has open primaries: choose either the Republican or Democratic primary on election day (but only one). Your choice binds you for any subsequent runoff.

Early Voting

• Bring an acceptable photo ID (see Voter ID section below).
• You may vote at any early voting location in your county.
• Lines are often shorter; hours vary by county and day.

Election Day

• Poll Hours: 7:00 AM–7:00 PM (local). If you’re in line by 7:00 PM, you can vote.
• Some counties allow countywide vote centers; others require you to vote at your assigned precinct. Check your polling place in advance.
• Bring acceptable ID and your sample ballot if you have one.

Vote by Mail (Absentee)

• Are 65 or older by Election Day
• Have a disability or illness
• Expect to be out of your county for the entire Early Voting period and on Election Day
• Are confined in jail but otherwise eligible

How to apply:

1. Complete the Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM). Include ID info that matches your voter file (TX DL/ID, Election ID Certificate, or last 4 of SSN).
2. Return your ABBM to your County Early Voting Clerk. It must be received by the deadline.
3. Once your ballot arrives, follow all instructions carefully. Sign everywhere required and seal properly.

Tip: Use matching ID numbers on both your ABBM and the carrier envelope. Track ballot status via your county if available.

What’s on the 2026 Primary Ballot

• Party primaries for U.S. Senate and U.S. House seats in Texas districts
• Texas statewide offices as applicable in 2026 cycle (e.g., Railroad Commission, judicial positions)
• Texas Legislature seats (State Senate/House) up for election
• County and local partisan offices where applicable

Your exact ballot depends on your address and the party primary you choose.

Voter ID Requirements

• Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
• Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
• Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
• Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
• United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
• United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
• United States Passport (book or card)

With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Certificate, which does not expire, for voters aged 18-69, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired no more than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place. For voters aged 70 or older, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired for any length of time if the identification is otherwise valid.

Students, Military, and Overseas Voters

• Students may register at their campus address or home address (one active registration at a time).
• Military and overseas voters use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to register and request a ballot.
• Return options and deadlines differ; use official guidance below.

Provisional Ballots & Voting Issues

• If your name isn’t on the rolls or you lack ID, you can cast a provisional ballot. You may need to cure it by providing documentation by the county’s deadline.
• If you face intimidation or barriers, notify the election judge and call the hotlines below.

Accessibility & Language Assistance

• All polling places must be accessible. Curbside voting is available for eligible voters.
• Assistance marking your ballot is allowed; you may bring someone (with limits) or ask poll workers.
• Language assistance and translated materials may be available depending on your county.

Official Resources

• Texas Secretary of State – VoteTexas: https://www.votetexas.gov
• Texas Voter Portal (registration, polling place, sample ballot): https://teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.do
• County Election Offices Directory: https://www.sos.texas.gov/elections/voter/county.shtml
• Election Calendars/Notices: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/important-election-dates.shtml

FAQs