Texas 2026 Primary Election: Voter Registration and Key Dates

A voter registration drive for new 18-year-old voters and staff at Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) High School in Austin, TX is conducted by non-partisan parent volunteers. About two dozen were registered in two hours with the effort. (Photo by Robert Daemmrich Photography Inc/Corbis via Getty Images)
Robert Daemmrich Photography Inc/Corbis via Getty Images

The date of Texas’ primary election is approaching — and so is the deadline for Texans to register to vote.

Voters who participate in the primary election will help determine which candidates advance to the November general election in races for statewide, congressional and local offices.

The 2026 U.S. Senate election in Texas will be held on Nov. 3, deciding who holds the seat currently occupied by Sen. John Cornyn. The primary election will also shape races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, land commissioner, agriculture commissioner and comptroller, among others.

Both Republicans and Democrats will select nominees for congressional and legislative races, the State Board of Education and judicial positions.

If you’re not yet registered — or need to update your information — here’s what to know.

When is the deadline to register to vote in Texas?

Feb. 2 is the last day to register to vote or submit an address change for the primary election.

When is early voting in Texas?

Early voting for the primary election begins Feb. 17.

When is primary elections in Texas?

The 2026 primary elections will be held on March 3.

What is a runoff election?

If no candidate receives a majority of the vote in the primary, a runoff election between the top two vote-getters will be held on May 26.

Texas has open primaries, meaning voters can choose which party’s primary to participate in every two years.

How to check voter registration in Texas

Voter rolls are updated regularly, and some voters may be removed if their status changes, they have not voted in two general elections, or they have not responded to address verification notices.

Several organizations, including Rock the Vote, offer tools to check registration status.

You can verify your voter registration status on the Texas Secretary of State’s website, where you can view your status, address, county, voter ID number and party affiliation. A status of “active” means you are eligible to vote.

Am I eligible to vote by mail in Texas?

You may qualify to vote by mail if you:

• Will be absent from your county of residence on Election Day and during early voting
• Are sick or have a disability that prevents voting in person without assistance
• Are 65 or older
• Are confined in jail serving a misdemeanor sentence or confined without bail pending trial
• Are expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day
• Are civilly committed under Chapter 841 of the Texas Health and Safety Code

What if I moved after the voter registration deadline?

According to VoteTexas.gov, voters who move must submit updated address information in writing to their voter registrar or complete the change online.

Jan 25, 2026