For Texans planning to vote this fall, some of the most important dates on the election calendar arrive well before Election Day.

The November 3, 2026 General Election will give voters across Texas an opportunity to cast ballots in federal, state and local races applicable to where they live. For residents of Cypress North, getting ready now can help avoid last-minute questions about registration, voting locations, identification requirements or eligibility to vote by mail.

The Texas Secretary of State has confirmed the key statewide dates for the November election, including an October 5 voter registration deadline and an early voting period beginning October 19. Texas Secretary of State

Texas November 3, 2026 Election: Important Dates

Texas voters should keep these dates in mind:

• Monday, October 5: Last day to register to vote
• Monday, October 19: First day of early voting in person
• Friday, October 23: Deadline for the early voting clerk to receive an Application for Ballot by Mail
• Friday, October 30: Last day of early voting in person
• Tuesday, November 3: Election Day

The October 23 mail ballot application deadline is a received-by deadline, not simply a postmark deadline. 

On Election Day, Texas polling places are scheduled to be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Start by Checking Your Texas Voter Registration

Even longtime voters may want to confirm their registration before October 5, particularly if they have recently moved or changed information.

VoteTexas.gov, the official voter information website of the Texas Secretary of State, allows voters to check their registration status using their Voter Unique Identifier, Texas driver's license number if it was provided during registration, or their name and other identifying information. Voters can also contact the voter registrar in the county where they live.

For anyone who is not yet registered, October 5 is the deadline to become eligible to vote in the November 3 election. According to the Secretary of State, a voter registration application may meet the deadline if it is postmarked by October 5 or received by the voter registrar by that date. 

That makes checking registration now one of the simplest ways for Cypress North residents to prepare.

Early Voting Gives Texans More Time to Cast a Ballot

Texas early voting begins Monday, October 19 and continues through Friday, October 30. Any registered Texas voter may vote early in person. 

During early voting, voters may use any early voting location in their county of registration, according to VoteTexas.gov. Hours and individual locations are determined locally, so voters should check their county election office as the election approaches for the most current information. 

For families balancing work, school, appointments and other responsibilities, the nearly two-week early voting period provides additional opportunities to fit voting into the schedule rather than waiting until November 3.

Who Can Vote by Mail in Texas?

Unlike early voting in person, voting by mail in Texas is limited to voters who meet certain eligibility requirements.

According to VoteTexas.gov, voters may request a ballot by mail if they will be away from their county during Election Day and the early voting period, qualify because of sickness or disability under state law, expect to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day, will be 65 or older on Election Day, or meet certain eligibility requirements involving confinement in jail or involuntary civil commitment. 

For the November 3 election, the early voting clerk must receive the Application for Ballot by Mail by Friday, October 23. Because additional requirements apply when applications are initially submitted by fax or email, voters using those methods should carefully review the state's instructions rather than waiting until the deadline. Vote Texas

Make a Voting Plan Before November 3

A little preparation can make Election Day easier. Residents can confirm their registration, review identification requirements, find their county election information and look over a sample ballot before heading to the polls.

Because ballots differ depending on a voter's home address and local jurisdictions, residents should use official election resources for their specific county to determine exactly what will appear on their ballot.

VoteTexas.gov, maintained by the Texas Secretary of State, provides statewide information about voter registration, early voting, voting by mail, identification requirements and other election procedures. The Secretary of State's Elections Division also provides voter assistance at 1-800-252-VOTE (8683). 

With registration closing October 5 and early voting beginning just two weeks later, the 2026 Texas General Election is quickly moving closer. Checking the basics now can give voters more time to address questions and decide when and where they plan to cast their ballots.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for additional local election information and community updates as November 3 approaches.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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