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UpdateTexasSunday, October 25, 2026

Texas officials say initials on ballots are legal and won't stop count

Reporting by
Click2Houston
“Initials on your ballot? Here’s what Texas voters need to know”, Sunday, October 25, 2026
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What happened

Texas voters contacted KPRC 2 with questions about markings on the back of their ballots. Election officials told voters that the initials are intentional, legal, and will not prevent a vote from being counted. During early voting in Houston, ballots carry the initials of Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth.1

On Election Day, ballots will instead carry the presiding judge's signature.1

Key dates in Texas

Election Day in 7 days
  1. Mon, Oct 5 · passed
    Registration deadline
  2. Mon, Oct 19 · passed
    Early voting begins
  3. Fri, Oct 23 · passed
    Last day for mail ballot applications
  4. Tue, Nov 3 · 7 days
    Election Day
  5. Wed, Nov 4 · 8 days
    Mail ballots must arrive
  6. Tue, Nov 17 · 21 days
    County/Local certification
  7. Mon, Dec 7 · 41 days
    State certification

Every date in Texas, and who certifies the election

The answers behind this
Voting machines and election securityVoting in Texas, 2026How do I vote by mail or early in Texas in 2026?What are my rights at the polls in Texas?

Explore this issue

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Sources

  1. Click2Houston, https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqwFBVV95cUxNd25Rd2FRYUFtUFh3b2drUXdNOHpYUnk1TjUyVFpnV0pvajN3TDdpYXdPeTZldXBsUk1tbmpkQ0FJWWt6MlRCRS1zQnpxaW9lQlRsVnFxUEQ0VU5mLXhyQktMRkoyX0FLdm1rbWlFdWRLaWgxMVlZNGJsb2gxZ0NGVkhxTE1tTjVLN0w2S3pZTnBpS28tYUdvbDhRN2ZEQXpRVkFBTDNUUUJuVkk?oc=5 · Sunday, October 25, 2026

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