We know, we know. After a 2026 already crammed with elections, reelections, and runoffs— especially those based in Harris County—Houstonians are probably exhausted at the prospect of heading to the polls one last time for midterms. But, as citizens, we’ve got to do our due diligence if we want to get one of those little stickers. Oh, and also exercising the basic human right of democracy. That’s pretty important.

It’s not always easy to vote, though. In this era of “alternative facts,” finding all the necessary (and correct) information can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’re here. We can’t tell you who to vote for, but we can give you everything you need to walk into the polls feeling knowledgeable about your rights and options.

Because the Greater Houston area extends beyond Harris County, we’re including more generalized resources to ensure all of our local readers feel served and well prepared for Election Day on November 3.

Good luck out there. And don’t forget to save your sticker and treat yourself to some freebies afterward. You’ve earned it.

How to Register to Vote in Texas

Eligible Texans can register to vote through the Texas Secretary of State by filling out the form here and physically mailing it in. The deadline to register for Election Day (November 3, 2026) is October 5.

To be eligible to vote in Texas, you must meet the following criteria:

Be 18 years of age or older on Election Day (however, you may register at 17 years, 10 months)
Be a United States citizen
Not be a convicted felon (voting rights may be restored in some cases)
Not have been declared mentally incapacitated or unfit by a judicial body.

Other things to know:

Texas does not require you to register with a political party.
If your address has changed since you last registered, you have 30 days before Election Day to correct it. You can fill out a form and mail it in or re-register when you renew your driver’s license. Details can be found here.
Absentee ballots are available to the following Texans:

People age 65 years or older
Those who are sick or disabled
Individuals who will be out of the county during early voting and on Election Day
Individuals set to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day
Individuals who are incarcerated but otherwise eligible to vote

Forms to request and track absentee ballots, as well as how to request via a more personalized letter instead of a mail-in form, may be found here. Mail requests to your early voting clerk. The last date to apply for an absentee ballot is October 23.

In the event of a death in your immediate family, you may request an emergency ballot from an early voting clerk between October 31 and November 2 here.

Please note: Mailers are allegedly being sent out claiming to help Texans register to vote online, but there is currently only one way to register to vote in Texas—by mail. Using a third-party service offers no guarantee your registration will be recognized or processed. Mail documents to the Secretary of State or attend an authorized voter registration event staffed by trained volunteer deputy voter registrars.

How to Check Voter Registration in Texas

Unless your address has changed, if you’ve registered to vote in Texas, you should still be registered. Check the Texas Secretary of State website here to confirm it’s still up to date and you can vote in the upcoming election.

Some Texans, including journalists, victims of violent crimes, and those who work in sensitive fields, may redact their home address and personal information from the publicly searchable voter roll. Those who qualify can opt out by mail. Instructions on how to qualify and submit a retraction are available here. Keep in mind: if your personal information is redacted, you will be unable to confirm your voter registration online.

Get to Know the Texas 2026 Midterm Candidates

League of Women Voters (LWV) and Texas Tribune both offer nonpartisan breakdowns of upcoming national, state, and local races. To find your nearest LWV chapter, enter your address here for the most up-to-date information on who will appear on your ballot on Election Day. Paper copies are often available at local libraries and community centers.

If you do not live in a county served by the LWV, check out a sample ballot at BallotReady.org. Jot down the names of unfamiliar candidates and check their websites, social media, endorsements, and criticisms to get a three-dimensional view of your options. It takes extra work, but it’s a necessary step to becoming an educated voter.

What is a Sample Ballot?

Reviewing your county’s ballot before heading to the polls helps you avoid surprises at the ballot box. A sample ballot lists every race and legislative measure in the order you can expect when you vote. Find your sample ballot through Texas Tribune, BallotReady, your local LWV chapter (if applicable), or your county of residence’s county clerk website.

Note: Texas law has prohibited straight-ticket voting since 2020.

When is Early Voting and Election Day in Texas?

Early voting runs from October 19 through October 30. Election Day is November 3.

Texas law requires employers to allow workers at least two hours to vote on Election Day. This only applies if the employee has not previously voted during the early voting period. Plan accordingly.  

Where to Vote

You may vote at any polling location in your county during early voting. On Election Day, you must vote in your precinct unless you live in a county enrolled in the Countywide Polling Place Program (which has not been updated for the November 2026 election as of press time). If you have not opted out of your voter registration information being available online, you can find your precinct polling station on the Texas Secretary of State’s website.

What to Bring to the Polls When Voting

If you plan to vote in person, bring:

A photo ID with your address (a list of accepted IDs available here)
Reference notes or a sample ballot written or printed on a piece of paper (optional)
An aide, if required for disability accessibility

Do NOT bring:

An unsecured cell phone (you may also be asked to mute)
Another person, except in cases of disability accommodations
Laptops and tablets
Video and/or audio recording devices
Firearms and weapons
Clothing or accessories promoting a candidate or political party

Campaign volunteers may not come within 100 feet of the facility’s entrance. Most polling centers place a 100-foot marker to show the legal boundaries.

Report Voter Intimidation and Suppression in Texas

Federal and state laws prohibit intimidation tactics at the polls. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, this can include:

Coming within 100 feet of a polling center or 20 feet of a curbside voting space to discuss a candidate
Threating harm tied to someone based on how they intend to vote
Vandalizing or tampering with voting equipment
Challenging voter eligibility at polling stations
Removing voters from rolls 90 days or less before Election Day
Unauthorized observation
Bringing firearms to a polling center, vote counting center, or designated spot for dropping off mailed ballots

Additional information about other potential examples of voting interference, voting rights, and protections can be found here.

To report voter intimidation, call the Texas Secretary of State at (800) 252-VOTE (8683) or fill out the complaint form here. Not sure whether what you’ve experienced qualifies as voter intimidation? Call the national hotline (866) OUR-VOTE (687-8683) to confirm before reaching out to the Texas Secretary of State.

Report ADA Violations at Texas Polling Stations

Disabled Texans are entitled to full accessibility at state and local government properties under ADA Title II. This includes accessible facilities for in-person voting, allowing aides to accompany disabled voters while filling out their ballots, and offering curbside and mail-in voting options. A full rundown of how to vote if disabled is available on the Secretary of State’s website.

Disability Rights Texas also offers a comprehensive overview of how to request accommodations and legal protections if any shenanigans occur. If you are disabled and unable to vote due to inaccessible facilities or challenges to your requests, you can report them to Disability Rights Texas at (888) 796-VOTE (8683) or [email protected], or directly to the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division here.