2026 Texas voter guide
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Election Day is Nov. 3, and in-person early voting in Texas kicks off Monday.
Why it matters: Texans have a chance to weigh in on rare competitive statewide races — at least according to recent polls.
- The U.S. Senate race pitting state Rep. James Talarico (D-Austin) against Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton could determine whether the chamber stays in Republican hands or tips to Democrats, with big implications for the last two years of President Trump's term.
- Closer to home, Gov. Greg Abbott is locked in an unexpectedly tight race against state Rep. Gina Hinojosa (D-Austin), despite his massive fundraising advantage.
The big picture: Democratic voters are galvanized by their opportunity to check an unpopular president, and Republicans are scrambling to play defense in heretofore reliably red states.
Between the lines: The state of alarm for Texas Republicans extends to other statewide offices.
- A University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll released last week showed Vikki Goodwin — another Austin Democratic state representative — narrowly leading Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
- Democrat Nathan Johnson held a slight edge over Republican Mayes Middleton in the attorney general's race.
- All statewide races surveyed in the poll are within the margin of error.
Yes but: No Democrat has won statewide in Texas since 1994.
The intrigue: The election will test a brazen plan by Texas Republicans to redraw five Democratic U.S. House districts to their advantage.
- Democrats need to flip 14 seats to take the Texas House majority and they need a gain of four seats to win the state Senate — both tall orders.
Zoom in: You may vote at any polling location in the county in which you're registered.
- Find polling places in Travis, Williamson and Hays counties.
Other key dates: In-person early voting ends Oct. 30.
- Oct. 23 is the last day to apply to vote by mail. Eligible voters include those 65 or older on Election Day and those who are sick or disabled.
The bottom line: You've waited a long time to vote. Now's your chance.