Important Dates for the Party Conventions, Primary Elections, and General Election
| September 2025 | ||
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Tuesday, |
First day the county chairs may accept applications for a place on the ballot, for the office of precinct chair. [Sec. 172.023(b)] |
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| November 2025 | ||
Saturday, |
First day the Republican or Democratic Party candidate may file an application for a place on the primary ballot. [Sec. 172.023(b)] First day the county chairs may accept applications for a place on the primary ballot for the office of county chair. [Sec. 172.023(b)] First day independent candidates may file a declaration of intent to run. [Secs. 142.002(b)(2), 172.023] |
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Friday, |
If there is a vacancy for an unexpired term in a state or county office after the 10th day before the candidacy filing deadline, but on or before the 5th day before the deadline (on or after November 28 and on or before December 3), an application for the unexpired term is subject to an extended filing deadline. See entry at December 15, 2025. [Sec. 202.004(a), (c)] |
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| December 2025 | ||
Wednesday, |
Last day a vacancy for an unexpired term may occur, for that seat to appear on the primary ballot. [Sec. 202.004(a)] |
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Sunday, |
Deadline for the county chair (or the secretary of the county executive committee) to post, on the political party’s Internet website or where a candidate files their application, a notice containing the addresses at which the county chair and the secretary will be accepting applications on the last day for filing an application. [Sec. 172.022(b)] |
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Monday, |
Last day Democratic or Republican Party candidates may file an application for a place on the primary ballot (6 p.m.). [Sec. 172.023(a)] Note: This is also the deadline for applications for an unexpired term in a state or county office that occurred on or before the 10th day before the date of the filing deadline. [Sec. 202.004(b)] See entry at December 15, 2025 for Extended Deadlines. |
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| December 2025 | ||
Monday, |
Last day the county chairs may accept applications for the office of county or precinct chair (6 p.m.). [Sec. 172.023(a)] Last day independent candidates may file a declaration of intent to run (6 p.m.). [Secs. 142.002, 172.023(a)] Last day convention party candidates may file applications and submit filing fee or petition in lieu of filing fee to applicable filing authority in order to be nominated by convention (6 p.m.). [Sec. 181.033(a)] A political party, by rule, may extend the filing deadline for applications for nomination for an office for which a candidate withdraws, dies, or is declared ineligible. [Sec. 181.033(b)] |
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Tuesday, |
If a candidate withdraws, dies, or is declared ineligible by this date, the candidate’s name is omitted from the primary ballot. [Secs. 172.057(a), 172.058(a)] |
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Monday, |
Deadline for the state or county chair, as applicable, to receive applications under an extended filing period due to a vacancy for an unexpired term in a state or county office, that occurred after the 10th day before the candidacy filing deadline, but on or before the 5th day before the deadline (on or after November 28 and on or before December 3, 2025). [Sec. 202.004(a), (c)] (This deadline is extended to Monday, December 15, 2025 by Section 1.006 due to the 5th day after the date of the regular filing deadline for the general primary election falling on Saturday, December 13, 2025) Extended Deadline (6 p.m.) for the state or county chair to receive a new application for an office for which the applicant:
This deadline is extended to Monday, December 15, 2025 by Section 1.006 due to the 5th day after the date of the regular filing deadline for the general primary election falling on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Note: An application filed by mail with the state chair under this Extended Deadline provision is not timely, if received later than 5:00 p.m. on the Extended Deadline. |
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| December 2025 | ||
Monday, |
Last day candidates may file a declaration of write-in candidacy for county or precinct chair if write-ins are authorized by the county executive committee (6 p.m.). [Sec. 171.0231(d)] (This deadline is extended to Monday, December 15, 2025 by Section 1.006 due to the 5th day after the date of the regular filing deadline for the general primary election falling on Saturday, December 13, 2025). |
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Tuesday, |
Deadline for the state chair to certify to the Secretary of State (SOS), the name of each candidate who files an application for a place on the primary ballot that complies with Section 172.021(b) on or before December 8, 2025. [Sec. 172.028(a); 1 TAC 81.112(a)(4)] |
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Wednesday, |
Date SOS anticipates posting the certified list, provided by state chairs, of candidates who filed on or before December 8, 2025, on its public website. [Sec. 172.028(a)] Deadline for the state chair to notify the county chair of each county in which the candidate will appear on the ballot that the certified list has been posted by SOS. [Sec. 172.028(b)] See entry at December 18, 2025 for supplemental notification of certification of candidates who filed with the state chair on or before the Extended Deadline of December 15, 2025. Deadline for the state executive committee to set the date, hour, and place for convening the state convention. [Secs. 174.092, 174.093] Note: Section174.092(b) provides that the state executive committee must set the date, hour, and place for convening the state convention not later than the date the state chair delivers to the county chairs the certification of names to be placed on the general primary ballot. However, the state chair no longer certifies names of the district and statewide candidates for the primary ballot to county chairs. Instead, the state chair certifies candidate names to the Secretary of State, which posts candidate names on its website. Section 172.028(b) provides that the state chair must notify the county chair in each county not later than the 9th day after the regular filing deadline that the certification has been posted by Secretary of State. Accordingly, the calendar continues to show the 9th day after the regular filing deadline as the deadline for state executive committee to set the date, hour, and place for convening the state convention. Deadline for the chair to post notice on the commissioners court bulletin board 24 hours before the date, hour, and place of the ballot drawing if the drawing is conducted on December 18, 2025. If the party has a website, they must post notice on the party’s website. All candidates who provide an email address on their filing form must be notified electronically. [Sec. 172.082(e)] |
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Thursday, |
Deadline for the county chair or county chair’s designee to conduct the drawing for the order of candidates on the ballot at the county seat (unless the committee provides by resolution that the county executive committee is to conduct drawing). [Sec. 172.082(c)] |
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| December 2025 | ||
Thursday, |
Recommended deadline for the state chair to certify to SOS the list of candidates who filed an application that complies with Section 172.021(b) after December 8, 2025 and on or before December 15, 2025. [Secs. 172.028(a), 172.029] Note: The purpose of this recommendation is to ensure that candidates whose applications are filed in accordance with the Extended Deadlines under Sections 202.004(a) and 172.054(b) are added to the list of certified candidates previously submitted by the state chair to the SOS. See entries at December 15, 2025 and December 26, 2025. |
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Friday, |
Date by which Secretary of State anticipates posting on Secretary of State’s Internet website, that is viewable by the public, additions to the certified list of candidates provided by state chair that are the result of the additional candidates who filed on or before December 15, 2025 in accordance with the Extended Deadlines. [Secs. 172.028(a), 172.029] Recommended date for state chair to notify county chair in each county in which the candidate’s name is to appear on the ballot that certification of additional candidates who filed by the Extended Deadline on or before December 15, 2025 has been posted by Secretary of State. [Secs. 172.028(b), 172.056] See entries at December 15, 2025 and December 18, 2025. |
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Monday, |
Recommended deadline for the county chair and the state chair to electronically submit certain candidate information (including information on candidates for county and precinct chair) to the county election officer, the state chair, and the SOS. [Sec. 172.029(c)] Recommended date for the county chair to submit the ballot format to the primary committee for its approval, and for the county chair to order ballots. [Secs. 86.004(b), 172.083] |
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| January 2026 | ||
Thursday, |
First day for voters to submit an application for a ballot by mail for March 3 primary election, or for both the March 3 primary election and May 26 runoff primary election. [Secs. 84.001(e), 84.007] |
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Friday, |
Last day for a party with state organization, which intends to make nominations by convention, to register with Secretary of State. [Sec. 181.0041] |
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Saturday, |
Deadline for the early voting clerk to mail ballots for the primary election to those overseas voters from whom the clerk has already received applications for ballots by mail or federal postcard applications (“FPCA”). [Sec. 86.004(b)] |
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| February 2026 | ||
Monday, |
Last day citizens may register to vote in March 3 primary election. [Sec. 13.143(a)] (This deadline is extended by Section 13.143(e) from the 30th day before election day, which falls on Sunday, February 1, 2026) |
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| February 2026 | ||
Tuesday, |
First day of early voting by personal appearance for March 3 primary election. [Sec. 85.001(a), (c)] (This date is extended to Tuesday, February 17, 2026 by Section 1.006 because the 17th day before election day is Saturday, February 14, 2026 and Monday, February 16, 2026 is Presidents’ Day.) |
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Friday, |
Last day for early voting clerk to receive application for ballot by mail for March 3 primary election. [Sec. 84.007(c)] |
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Friday, |
Last day for early voting clerk to receive an FPCA for March 3 primary election. [Secs. 101.052(g), 114.004(c)] Note: BOTH FPCAs and ABBMs must be received by the 11th day before election day. |
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Friday, |
Last day of early voting by personal appearance for March 3 primary election. [Sec. 85.001(a)] |
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| March 2026 | ||
Tuesday, |
Primary election day. [Sec. 41.007(a)] |
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Wednesday, |
First day independent candidates for offices not involved in runoff primary election may collect signatures for petitions in connection with applications. [Sec. 142.009] |
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Monday, |
Last day to post notice of county executive committee’s meeting to canvass returns of primary election because canvass must take place on March 12, 2026. Notice must be posted at least three business days before the scheduled date of the meeting. [Sec. 172.116; Texas Government Code Secs. 551.002, 551.041, 551.043] |
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Tuesday, |
Precinct conventions held to elect delegates to county or district conventions of convention parties. [Secs. 181.061(c), 182.005] |
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Thursday, |
Local canvass of the primary election by county chair and at least one member of the county executive committee, selected by the county executive committee, must be conducted on this date. [Sec. 172.116(b)] Last day to post notice of state executive committee’s meeting to canvass returns of primary election because state canvass must take place on March 15, 2026. Notice must be posted at least three business days before the scheduled date of the meeting. [Sec. 172.120; Texas Government Code Secs. 551.002, 551.041, 551.043] |
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Saturday, |
County convention for parties that are nominating candidates by convention for single-county district, county, or precinct offices. [Secs. 181.061(c), 182.005] |
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Sunday, |
Deadline for state executive committee to conduct state canvass for all races with potential runoffs (races with three or more candidates). See entry under March 25, 2026. State chair must certify these candidates for statewide and district offices for placement on runoff primary election ballot to county chair as soon as practicable after canvass is completed. [Secs. 172.120(b)(1), 172.121] |
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Wednesday, |
Last day runoff primary candidates may withdraw from ballot (5 p.m.), if the state canvass was held on March 15, 2026. [Sec. 172.059] |
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Thursday, |
Recommended deadline if state canvass is held on March 15, 2026 for state chair to certify candidates for statewide and district offices for placement on runoff primary ballot. [Sec. 172.121] |
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Saturday, |
District convention for parties nominating candidates by convention for multi-county district offices. [Sec. 181.061(b)] |
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| March 2026 | ||
Wednesday, |
Deadline for state executive committee to conduct state canvass for races with no potential runoff. [Sec. 172.120(b)(2)] See entry under March 15, 2026. |
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| April 2026 | ||
Wednesday, |
Deadline for county chair to post notice on the Secretary of State’s website of the names of the persons elected as county chair and precinct chairs for the county. [Sec. 172.118] |
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Saturday, |
State convention for parties nominating candidates by convention for statewide offices. [Sec. 181.061(a)] |
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Monday, |
Last day to register to vote in May 26 runoff primary election. [Sec. 13.143(a)] (This deadline is extended by Section 13.143(e) from the 30th day before election day, which falls on Sunday, April 26.) |
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| May 2026 | ||
Friday, |
Last day for early voting clerk to receive application for ballot by mail for May 26 runoff primary election. [Sec. 84.007(c)] Last day for early voting clerk to receive an FPCA for May 26 runoff primary election. [Secs. 101.052(g), 114.004(c)] |
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Monday, |
First day of early voting by personal appearance for May 26 runoff primary election. [Sec. 85.001(b), (c)] (This date is extended to Monday, May 18, 2026 by Section 1.006 because the 10th day before election day is Saturday, May 16, 2026.) |
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Friday, |
Last day of early voting in person for May 26 runoff primary election. [Sec. 142.009] |
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Tuesday, |
Runoff primary election day. [Sec. 41.007(b)] Last day party chairs of new political parties may submit petitions and precinct convention lists to Secretary of State and to the appropriate county clerk (or other county election official) to secure placement of candidates on the November general election ballot. [Secs. 181.005(a), 181.006(b)(3), 181.061(c), 182.003, 182.004] (This date is extended to Tuesday, May 26, 2026 by Section 1.006 because the 75th day after the date of the precinct conventions is Sunday, May 24, 2026, and Monday, May 25, 2026 is Memorial Day.) |
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Wednesday, |
First day independent candidates for offices involved in runoff election may collect signatures for applications. [Sec. 142.009] |
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| June 2026 | ||
Monday, |
Last day to post notice of meeting to canvass returns of runoff primary election because canvass must take place on June 4, 2026. Notice must be posted at least three business days before the scheduled date of the meeting. [Sec. 172.116; Texas Government Code Secs. 551.002, 551.041, 551.043] |
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Thursday, |
Local canvass of the runoff primary election by county chair and at least one member of the county executive committee, selected by the county executive committee, must be conducted on this date. [Sec. 172.116(b)] |
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Friday, |
Deadline for county clerk to submit canvassed returns for statewide and district offices to Secretary of State. [Sec. 67.007(d)] |
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| June 2026 | ||
Wednesday, |
Last day to post notice of state executive committee’s meeting to canvass returns of runoff primary election if state canvass takes place on June 13, 2026. Notice must be posted at least three business days before the scheduled date of the meeting. [Sec. 172.120; Texas Government Code Secs. 551.002, 551.041, 551.043] |
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Saturday, |
State canvass of the runoff primary election by the state chair. [Sec. 172.120(b-1)] |
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Monday, |
New party officers take office. [Sec. 171.022(c)] |
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Thursday, |
Last day independent candidates may file applications and petitions (5 p.m.). [Sec. 142.006] |
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| July 2026 | ||
Friday, |
Deadline for state chair to deliver state executive committee’s tabulation of runoff primary election to Secretary of State and to certify list of candidates for statewide and district offices who received the necessary votes for nomination at the runoff primary election to Secretary of State, if state executive committee canvassed on June 13, 2026. [Secs. 172.120(f), 172.122)] |
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Wednesday, |
Deadline by which former county chair must transfer party bank accounts and records to new county chair; it is a Class C misdemeanor if the former county chair fails to transfer the records. [Sec. 171.028] |
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Saturday, |
First day candidates may file a declaration of write-in candidacy for November 3 general election. [Sec. 146.025] |
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| August 2026 | ||
Monday, |
Last day candidates may file declaration of write-in candidacy for November 3 general election. [Sec. 146.025] |
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Friday, |
Last day candidates may withdraw from or be declared ineligible for general election. [Secs. 145.032, 145.035] |
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| October 2026 | ||
Monday, |
Last day citizens may register to vote in November 3 general election. [Sec. 13.143(a)] (This deadline is extended by Section 13.143(e) from the 30th day before election day, which falls on Sunday, October 4, to the next business day.) |
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Monday, |
First day of early voting by personal appearance for November 3 general election. [Sec. 85.001(a)] (This date is extended to Monday, October 19, 2026 by Section 1.006 because the 17th day before election day is Saturday, October 17, 2026.) |
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Friday, |
Last day for early voting clerk to receive application for ballot by mail for November 3 general election. [Sec. 84.007(c)] Last day for early voting clerk to receive FPCA for November 3 general election. [Secs. 101.052(g), 114.004(c)] |
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Friday, |
Last day of early voting by personal appearance for November 3 general election. [Sec. 85.001(a)] |
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| November 2026 | ||
Tuesday, |
General election day. [Sec. 41.002] |
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Note Concerning Conventions of Parties Holding Primary Elections
Precinct Conventions
Time and Place
Precinct conventions may be held at a time and place determined by rules adopted by the state executive committee of a political party. If precinct conventions are held on the general primary election day, the hour for convening may not be earlier than 7:00 p.m. or later than 9:00 p.m., but a convention may not convene until the last voter has voted at the precinct polling place. If precinct conventions are held on a day other than the general primary election day, the county executive committee must set the hour for convening or a time frame in which the convention must convene. [Secs. 174.021, 174.022]
Notice Required
The county chair must post notice of the date, hour, and place for convening the precinct convention, on the county or the state party’s Internet website or another Internet location easily found through a search engine. If the county party does not maintain an Internet website, the chair shall post notice on the county commissioners court bulletin board. Notice must remain posted continuously for the 10 days leading up to the date of the convention. Because convention times are not yet determined, this calendar does not show any deadlines for posting such notices. Not later than the 10th day before the date of the precinct conventions, the county chair must deliver to the county election officer, written notice either on paper or in electronic form, of the date, hour, and place for convening each precinct convention. [Sec. 174.023(a), (b)]County and Senatorial Conventions
Time and Place
The state executive committee, by rule, must specify the date and the county for the senatorial conventions. The political party may, by rule, allow a county to hold the precinct conventions before the county convention on the same day and at the same place. [Secs. 172.021, 174.063(a)]Notice Required
Notice of the hour and date for convening the county convention must be posted electronically on the county or the state party’s Internet website or on the bulletin board used for posting notice of meetings of the commissioners court. Notice must remain posted continuously for the 10 days leading up to the date of convention. Because convention times are not yet determined, this calendar does not show any deadlines for posting such notices. Not later than the 10th day before the date of the county and the senatorial convention, the county chair must deliver, to the county election officer, written notice either on paper or in electronic form, of the date, hour, and place for convening county and senatorial convention. [Sec. 174.064(a), (b)]State Conventions
The biennial state convention must be convened on a date selected by the state executive committee. The state convention date is no longer limited to June or July. The state executive committee must set the date of the state convention not later than the date the state chair delivers to the county chairs, the certification of candidate names for the primary election ballot. See entry at December 16, 2025. Accordingly, this calendar does not show any deadline or period for holding the state convention. Notice of the date, hour, and place for convening the state convention must be posted by the state chair on the party’s Internet website, before the date of the party’s precinct conventions. [Secs. 174.092, 174.093]
