How are votes counted and certified in Texas?

Local canvassing authorities canvass the returns not later than the 14th day after the election, which falls on November 17, 2026. The local canvass may not be held until the early voting ballot board has finished verifying and counting provisional ballots and all timely received ballots from addresses outside the United States are counted. Within 24 hours of the commissioners court canvass, the county clerk must prepare and send the county election results to the Secretary of State.

The statewide canvass is complete not later than 33 days after the election, which falls on December 7, 2026. At the time set for the state canvass, the Secretary of State delivers the county returns to the governor and prepares a tabulation setting forth votes for and against each candidate at the county level. The governor canvasses the results on a day set by the Secretary of State between the 18th and 33rd day after the election. A recount petition that is filed before certification prevents certification from occurring.

Mail ballot applications must be received by Friday October 23, 2026, 11 days before Election Day. Mail ballots postmarked by 7 p.m. on Election Day count if received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday November 4, 2026.

A candidate may request a recount. The process and requirements for requesting a recount vary based on a variety of factors, including the type of office, difference in number of votes, and ballot counting methods. A contest for a state office must be filed with the Secretary of State by the 7th day after the election records become public or the official result is set, whichever is later.

The Secretary of State is the chief election officer of the state and must obtain and maintain uniformity in the application, operation, and interpretation of the election laws. The Secretary of State prepares written guidance and instructions based on the Election Code and distributes them to state and local election authorities.