The Nov. 3 election is over, but some Texas voters have one more trip to the polls ahead. The Texas Secretary of State has designated Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, as the date for runoff elections stemming from local races on the November ballot.
According to the Secretary of State’s election calendar, those runoffs can involve local political subdivisions such as cities, school districts, water districts and county appraisal districts. Whether you have a runoff on your ballot depends on where you live and how your local races turned out.
Election night numbers are not final yet
Results posted on election night are unofficial until they are canvassed, or formally certified. The Secretary of State’s calendar for the Nov. 3 election lists these steps:
- Nov. 13: Deadline for voter registrars to finish reviewing provisional ballots.
- Nov. 6-17: Window for local governing bodies, such as city councils and school boards, to canvass their election results.
- Nov. 21-Dec. 7: Window for the governor to conduct the state canvass for state and county offices.
Recounts, where requested, can also delay when a winner receives a certificate of election, the calendar notes.
Key dates for the Dec. 12 runoff
According to the Secretary of State’s runoff calendar:
- Thursday, Nov. 12: Last day to register to vote, or to update your address, for the runoff.
- Nov. 30-Dec. 8: Early voting in person.
- Tuesday, Dec. 1: Last day for the early voting clerk to receive an application for a mail ballot.
- Saturday, Dec. 12: Runoff election day.
- Dec. 15-23: Window for local governing bodies to canvass runoff results.
The Secretary of State noted that early voting starts Nov. 30 because the earlier date that would normally apply did not qualify as a valid start day.
How to find out if you have a runoff
Runoffs happen only where a local race requires a majority and no candidate reached it. The best sources are your county elections office or the website of the city, school district or other entity holding the election. Those offices post sample ballots, polling locations and early voting hours.
You can also check your registration status through the Secretary of State’s voter information website, VoteTexas.gov, before the Nov. 12 deadline.
What to know
- Bring an approved photo ID: Texas law requires an acceptable form of identification to vote in person, with limited alternatives for voters who cannot reasonably obtain one.
- Polling places may differ: Runoff locations and hours can change from the November election, so check before you go.
- Mail ballots: Eligibility is limited in Texas; check the rules with your county elections office before applying.
