Voting Guide

Here's what to know before Texans cast ballots in the 2026 primary

The challengers in Texas biggest races are being chosen on March 3.

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It's almost time for Texans to cast their ballots in the 2026 primary election, choosing candidates for U.S. Senate, governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and more.

This year's primary election will be held on Tuesday, March 3. The last day to register to vote in the primary has passed, but you can check online to see if you are registered.

Early voting for the primary will be held from Tuesday, February 17, to Tuesday, February 27.

Here is everything you need to know about voting in the primary election, from polling locations to what you may see on your ballot.

When and where you can vote

Registered and eligible Texas voters may vote at any early voting location located in the county in which they live.

Early voting locations were populated through the Vote Texas website two days before the first day of early voting. All voters had to do is plug in their information in order to find polling locations.

Early voting for the Texas primary election will run February 17-27. During early voting, polling place hours vary at each location.

On Election Day, March 3, things work a little differently.

You will want to see if the county you live in participates in the Countywide Polling Place Program (CWPP). If your county does participate in CWPP, you can vote at any polling place in the county. If your county doesn't participate in CWPP, you can only vote at the polling place assigned to you on Election Day.

On Election Day, all polling places across Texas are open from 7 am to 7 pm. As long as you get in line before 7 pm, you will be able to vote.

If you submit a ballot by mail, you can check its status using this tracker.

A note for Williamson County voters: On Election Day, despite Williamson County's participating in the CWPP, voters must cast their ballots at their assigned voting location due to a change made by the county's Republican Party. During early voting, Williamson County voters will be able to cast their ballots at any location within the county.

What you need to bring to vote

To vote in Texas, you need to have a form of identification when you go to cast your ballot at a polling location. Here is a list of acceptable forms of photo identification:

Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
U.S. Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
U.S. Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
U.S. Passport (book or card)

If you don't have one of the forms of ID listed above and can't reasonably obtain one, you can bring one of the following in order to execute a "Reasonable Impediment Declaration":

Copy or original of a government document that shows the voter’s name and an address, including the voter’s voter registration certificate
Copy of or original current utility bill
Copy of or original bank statement
Copy of or original government check
Copy of or original paycheck
Copy of or original of (a) a certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certificate or (b) a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter’s identity (which may include a foreign birth document)

Reminder: Cellphones are not allowed inside polling locations. Voters can, however, print a copy of their sample ballot and bring it with them to the polls.

On the Ballot: Federal races

Here's a look at some of the federal races you may see on your ballot, depending on where you live and which primary you choose to vote in.

U.S. Senate

Long-time Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn is seeking a fifth term. Seven other Republicans are challenging him, including current Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt.

Meanwhile, three candidates are running for the Democratic ticket, including Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and State Rep. James Talarico.

Republican candidates:

Democratic candidates:

U.S. House of Representatives

District 10

Incumbent Congressman Michael McCaul is not seeking reelection

(Represents Travis, Lee counties)

Republican candidates:

Democratic candidates:

District 11

(Burnet, Llano, Mason, Travis, Williamson counties)

Republican candidates:

August Pfluger (incumbent)

Democratic candidates:

Claire Reynolds
Pedro "Pete" Ruiz

District 17

(Williamson County)

Republican candidates:

Pete Sessions (incumbent)

Democratic candidates:

District 21

Incumbent Congressman Chip Roy is running for Texas Attorney General, leaving this seat open.

(Blanco, Gillespie, Hays counties)

Republican candidates:

Democratic candidates:

District 27

(Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis counties)

Republican candidates:

Michael Cloud (incumbent)
Chris Hatley

Democratic candidates:

"Stock" Castro-Mendoza
Tanya Lloyd
Wayne Raasch

District 31

(Burnet, Williamson counties)

Republican candidates:

Democratic candidates:

District 37

Incumbent Congressman Lloyd Doggett is not seeking reelection.

(Travis, Williamson counties)

Republican candidates:

Democratic candidates:

On the Ballot: State races

Here's a look at some of the state races you may see on your ballot, depending on where you live and which primary you choose to vote in.

Governor

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is seeking a fourth term. Ten other Republicans are challenging Abbott in hopes of becoming this year's nominee.

Meanwhile, on the Democratic ticket, nine candidates are vying for a spot on the November ballot, including State Rep. Gina Hinojosa.

A Democrat has not been governor of Texas since 1995.

Republican candidates:

Greg Abbott (incumbent)
R.F. "Bob" Achgill
Evelyn Brooks
Pete "Doc" Chambers
Charles Andrew Crouch
Arturo Espinosa
Mark F. Goloby
Kenneth Hyde
Stephen Samuelson
Ronnie Tullos
Nathaniel Welch

Democratic candidates:

Patricia Abrego
Chris Bell
Bobby Cole
Carlton W. Hart
Gina Hinojosa
Jose Navarro Balbuena
Zach Vance
Angela "Tiaangie" Villescaz

Lieutenant Governor

Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is seeking a fourth term. Three other Republicans are challenging him.

Meanwhile, three candidates are running on the Democratic ticket, including State Rep. Vikki Goodwin.

Republican candidates:

Democratic candidates:

Attorney General

Because current AG Ken Paxton is running for U.S. Senate, the role of Texas' top lawyer will soon be held by someone new for the first time in a decade. Four Republicans are vying for a spot on the November ballot, including Congressman Chip Roy and State Sens. Mayes Middleton and Joan Huffman.

In the Democratic primary, three candidates are facing off, including State Sen. Nathan Johnson.

Republican candidates:

Democratic candidates:

Comptroller

Republican Kelly Hancock, a former state senator, has been serving as the acting comptroller since last summer and is running to keep the role. He faces three Republican opponents in the primary, including Texas Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick and former State Sen. Don Huffines.

On the Democratic side, three candidates are hoping for a spot on the November ballot, among them State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt.

Republican candidates:

Democratic candidates:

Read the full story at our news partner KVUE.com.

elections voting politics civic issues

Library Legacy

Austin Public Library celebrates 100 years with 10 months of events

Austin Public Library Central location interior

Photo by Leonid Furmansky

The Austin Public Library looks very different than it did in 1926.

The Austin Public Library (APL) has been around for a long 100 years — or a short 100 years, depending what you're comparing it to. Either way, that deserves a celebration, and APL has a multifaceted one in mind that will keep Austinites busy for the rest of the year.

The initiative is called the Austin Public Library Centennial Celebrations, and it kicks off February 16, with events and community projects through December 23. History won't just be celebrated; it'll also be recorded as long as community members are willing to share their stories.

There will be one big celebration at the Central Library (710 W. Cesar Chavez St.) on October 17. The all-ages event will activate every floor of the six-story library, but consider it a surprise party: details about the activities in store haven't been announced yet.

Austinites can participate in the celebrations at all the system's libraries. Those include:

Library programs with the theme “Roaring 20’s,” pointing to APL's first decade (including a book club conversation on The Great Gatsby on February 17)
History and genealogy programs that help visitors connect with the city's past
Branch-specific birthday celebrations marking other, smaller anniversaries
The “History Harvest,” a community initiative to collect "memories, photos, and stories about APL" — these will be preserved by the Austin History Center
A Centennial “Adventure Book,” a guide to activities at different locations with prizes

Finally, one city-wide initiative will change how people experience APL going forward. The Centennial Library Card Design Contest will collect submissions from people of all ages (with different categories for children, teens, and adults) and reveal the winning designs in September 2026. A release from APL says the reveal will celebrate National Library Card Sign-Up Month, but it does not specify whether the new design will be permanent or a special edition. More information will come in the spring.

“For 100 years, Austin Public Library has grown alongside this city, supporting readers, learners, creators, and families in every generation,” said APL director Hannah Terrell in the release. “This Centennial is both a celebration of where we’ve been and a springboard into our next century of innovation, inclusion, and service to the communities we serve.”

Public library fans in Austin have a woman to thank for this public service. In 1925, suffragist and publicist Grace Delano Clark "persuaded" the Austin Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) to establish Austin's first public library, the release says. It opened at at 819 Congress Ave. on February 16, 1926. Clark was the volunteer librarian and presided over 500 donated books.

For most of the year, the library operated out of a rented space, but on December 23 it moved to a permanent 1,800-square-foot space at West 9th and Guadalupe. It cost $4,190 to build.

Now APL has 20 neighborhood branches in addition to its Central Library, which opened in 2017. By 2019, about 685,000 people had a card with APL. Perhaps it's time for a recount.

library apl austin public library education history families

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