Who certifies the election in Texas, and by when?

Local canvassing authorities must canvass the results by November 17, 2026, the 14th day after the election. 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 to the Secretary of State the county election.

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 shall deliver the county returns to the governor, and must prepare a tabulation setting forth votes for and against each candidate at the county level.

The governor canvasses the state and federal results, except for governor and lieutenant governor, no earlier than the 18th day and no later than the 33rd day after the election. The Legislature canvasses the races for governor and lieutenant governor in the first week of its session.

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 recount petition that is filed before certification prevents certification from occurring.

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.