Dates, who is on the ballot, and the election news, down to the facts.
15
days until Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Next: Early voting begins, October 19
Source: Texas Secretary of State. To check your registration, find your polling place or see your sample ballot, use votetexas.gov or your county elections office. Early voting sites and hours differ by county.
One of Texas's two seats in the U.S. Senate. A senator serves a six-year term.
Texas's chief executive. Signs or vetoes bills passed by the Legislature and appoints members of many state boards and agencies. Four-year term.
Presides over the Texas Senate. Elected separately from the governor. Four-year term.
The state's lawyer: represents Texas in court and issues legal opinions to state and local officials. Four-year term.
Collects state taxes and publishes the revenue estimate the Legislature budgets against. Four-year term.
Manages state-owned land and mineral rights, whose income largely goes to the Permanent School Fund. Four-year term.
Heads the Texas Department of Agriculture, which includes fuel pump and scale inspections and school meal programs. Four-year term.
One of three commissioners who regulate the Texas oil and gas industry and pipelines. The name is historic: it does not regulate railroads. Six-year term.
Candidates are listed alphabetically by party, and the same way in every race. The candidate list comes from news voter guides and the Secretary of State's ballot; the official ballot for your address is at your county elections office. Spot a mistake? Tell us.
Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for Texas governor, was interviewed about her campaign. She is running to secure schools and put money in voters' pockets, and is challenging Republican incumbent Greg Abbott.
Gina Hinojosa, Democratic nominee for Texas governor; Greg Abbott, Republican incumbent governor
Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News
Two Texas county judge races are scheduled for the Nov. 3 election. In Bexar County, Republican Patrick Von Dohlen is challenging Democrat Ron Nirenberg. In Brazoria County, Republican Rob Giesecke, independent Lucinda Henry and Democrat Eugene Howard are running to replace retiring County Judge Matt Sebesta.
Patrick Von Dohlen, Republican candidate for Bexar County judge; Ron Nirenberg, Democrat candidate for Bexar County judge; Rob Giesecke, Republican candidate for Brazoria County judge and 3 more
Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News
County clerks and election administrators across Texas are implementing security procedures before early voting begins October 19. Travis County plans 201 voting locations on Election Day. Multiple counties conducted security training for poll workers.
Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado, Travis County Clerk; Bexar County Elections Administrator Michele Carew, Bexar County Elections Administrator; Dallas County Elections Administrator Paul Adams, Dallas County Elections Administrator and 2 more
Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News
Democratic and Republican candidates released third-quarter campaign fundraising reports for the 2026 midterm elections. Democrat James Talarico's Texas Senate campaign raised $60 million between July and September, while Republican Ken Paxton's campaign raised about $10 million in the same period. Elon Musk's super PAC has heavily backed Paxton's campaign.
$60 million for campaign funds raised, third quarter 2026
James Talarico, Democrat candidate for Texas Senate; Ken Paxton, Republican candidate for Texas Senate; Elon Musk, Tech billionaire and super PAC backer of Republican candidates
Reported by 5 outletsFound via Google News
Elon Musk donated $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund in September 2026, which transferred the money to Texas PAC to finance advertising supporting Republican Ken Paxton in his Senate race against Democrat James Talarico.
$158 million for donation to Senate Leadership Fund
Elon Musk, Donor; Ken Paxton, Republican Senate candidate; James Talarico, Democratic Senate candidate and 3 more
Reported by 5 outletsFound via Google News
Mike Garcia, a former college classmate of Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, appeared on Fox News to accuse Talarico of putting political ambitions ahead of truthfulness.
James Talarico, Democratic Texas Senate candidate; Mike Garcia, former college classmate making accusation; Will Cain, Fox News host
Reported by 2 outletsOnly right-leaning outlets reported thisFound via Google News
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico announced a campaign rally in El Paso on October 26 from 6 to 8 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m. The event is part of his "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts" statewide tour ahead of the November 3 election.
James Talarico, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate; Ken Paxton, Republican U.S. Senate candidate, Texas Attorney General
Reported by 4 outletsFound via Google News
Organizers of the "No Kings" movement held a gathering in Dallas to encourage early voting. The event included speakers, music, community activities, voting information, and election volunteer opportunities.
Indivisible Dallas, organizer of Dallas gathering; Black Voters Matter Texas, participating organization
Reported by 4 outletsFound via Google News
Early voting for the 2026 midterm election begins Monday, Oct. 19, and runs through Friday, Oct. 30. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. statewide.
Jared Goldsmith, McLennan County Election Administrator
Reported by 9 outletsOnly left-leaning outlets reported thisFound via Google News
At a packed rally in Texas, Democrat James Talarico compared his U.S. Senate campaign to David fighting Goliath, facing over $158 million in outside spending by Republican leadership and Elon Musk supporting Republican candidate Ken Paxton.
over $158 million for outside spending
James Talarico, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, state representative; Ken Paxton, Republican U.S. Senate candidate; Elon Musk, Outside spending supporter for Paxton and 1 more
Reported by 5 outletsFound via Google News
Actor Jordan Walker Ross, who plays Little James on the television series "The Chosen," endorsed Democrat James Talarico for U.S. Senate in a video released Thursday. The endorsement launched a Talarico campaign coalition called "Faithful Texans for Talarico" to reach religious voters ahead of the November 3 election.
Jordan Walker Ross, Actor endorsing Talarico; James Talarico, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate; Ken Paxton, Republican U.S. Senate candidate
Reported by 3 outletsFound via Google News
Texas has 19 million registered voters ahead of the November 3, 2026 midterm election. Texas election laws require photo identification to vote, limit mail-in voting, and restrict ballot drop boxes. Republicans say the laws improve security; Democrats say voting should be easier. Early voting runs October 19–30.
Texas Legislature, Passed voting laws in 2011, 2017, and 2021; Rick Perry, Governor who signed photo ID law in 2011; Daniel Griffith, Senior policy director at Secure Democracy Foundation and 2 more
Reported by 4 outletsOnly left-leaning outlets reported thisFound via Google News
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