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.
Where
Statewide
When
Oct. 16, 2026
Sources
Reported by 4 outlets
Taxes and money
None stated in sources.
Coming up
Monday, October 19, 2026. Early voting in the 2026 midterm election (Statewide)2
Friday, October 23, 2026. Deadline to apply for mail-in ballot in November midterm (Statewide)2
Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Election Day for the 2026 midterm election (Statewide)2
Who's involved
Texas LegislaturePassed voting laws in 2011, 2017, and 2021
Rick PerryGovernor who signed photo ID law in 2011
Daniel GriffithSenior policy director at Secure Democracy Foundation
RepublicansIntent on making elections more secure through law changes
DemocratsObjected to voting laws, say voting should be easier
The facts
Texas has 19 million registered voters ahead of November 3 midterm election.2
Registered voters in Texas increased 2% since the March primary.2
Texas requires voters to show one of seven forms of government-issued photo identification.2
In 2011, Governor Rick Perry signed a photo ID voting law; federal courts blocked it as discriminatory.2
The Legislature added additional ID forms in 2017; a federal appeals court overruled a judge's decision to toss out the law in 2018.2
In 2021, the Legislature passed a bill requiring ID numbers on mail-in applications and ballots.2
Over 18,000 mail-in ballots in the 2022 March primary were rejected, mostly for mismatched ID numbers.2
Early voting runs October 19–30; Election Day is November 3, 2026.2
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Republicans Changes to Texas election laws over the past two decades make elections more secure.2
Democrats Voting should be made easier, not harder.2
Daniel Griffith, Secure Democracy Foundation Mail-in ID requirements are an administrative burden that increases rejections.2
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
Questions Surround Nick Tran’s Compliance with Texas Election Law as The Woodlands Voters Prepare to Cast Ballots
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
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.
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
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
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.
$$60 million for campaign funds raised, third quarter 2026
James Talarico, Democrat candidate for Texas Senate; Ken Paxton, Republican candidate for Texas Senate; Elon Musk, Tech billionaire and super PAC backer of Republican candidates
Elon Musk donated $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund in September 2026, which transferred the money to Texas PAC to finance advertising supporting Republican Ken Paxton in his Senate race against Democrat James Talarico.
$$158 million for donation to Senate Leadership Fund
Elon Musk, Donor; Ken Paxton, Republican Senate candidate; James Talarico, Democratic Senate candidate and 3 more
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
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
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