Voter registration deadline has passed - so what’s next?

We’re officially less than one month away from the 2026 midterm election! Oct. 5 marked the last day to register to vote, as well as to make any changes to your registration status if necessary. Because we’ve entered such a pivotal point leading up to November, it is important that we discuss voter registration as well as shed light on information that will be crucial for voting.  

In Texas, approximately 19 million residents are registered to vote. Leading up to the registration deadline, many communities opened up spaces where people could get their registration done through voter registration drives hosted by individual counties or by civic engagement organizations. Because of these efforts statewide, the total number of registered voters in Texas is expected to increase significantly – certainly a win for civic participation.  

While the vast majority of Texans will vote in-person, Texas does provide some opportunity to vote by mail. For any individuals looking to vote via mail-in ballots, you must fall into one of these categories: 

• 65 years or older 

• Sick or disabled 

• Expect to give birth within three weeks of election day 

• Out of the country on early voting and election day 

• In jail 

• Civilly committed under Chapter 841 of the Texas Health and Safety Code (sexually violent predators) 

To request a mail-in ballot, download the Application for Ballot by Mail form directly from the VoteTexas.gov website. You can also request an application to be mailed from the Texas Secretary of State or the Election Administrator in your county. 

You can apply for a mail-in ballot before the “voting in person” begins (17 days before the election). In your application, be sure to include either a Texas Driver License number, a Texas Personal Identification Number, or an Election Identification Certificate Number issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety. The last four digits of your Social Security Number can also be used. Be sure to follow specific directions provided by your county election administrator.

Early voting begins Oct 19 and runs through Oct. 30 Election Day is on Nov. 5. To find your local polling place, visit the “My Voter Portal” website and make a plan to vote. We also remind readers to check out our Endorsements page for Texas AFT-recommended candidates and be sure to vote on local propositions affecting your school communities. This is one of the most critical elections of our time, and every vote makes a difference.