The Dec. 8 filing deadline has officially come and gone, and the stage is now set for the 2026 primary elections. ATPE’s Teach the Vote will soon begin publishing candidate information, legislative voting records, and detailed analyses to help educators and public school advocates understand who is on the ballot and where they stand on the issues that matter most to Texas public schools. 

With candidates now locked in, this is an important moment for voters to make sure they are prepared. If you have moved recently or simply aren’t sure whether your registration is up to date, now is the time to confirm and, if necessary, update your voter registration. A registration update takes only a few minutes, and it ensures that your ballot is counted in a year when every race, especially at the local and state levels, will have real implications for Texas classrooms. 

As a reminder, here are the key upcoming election dates for 2026: 

• Voter registration deadline for the Primary Election: Feb. 2 
• First Day of Early Voting: Feb. 16 
• Last Day of Early Voting: Feb. 27 
• Primary Election Day: March 3 
• Primary Runoff Election (if needed): May 26 
• General Election Day: Nov. 3 

While the general election may feel far away, the primary elections in Texas, in most cases, determine who ultimately represents a district in the Legislature or on the State Board of Education. Because many races are effectively decided in March, not November, participation in the primaries is essential for anyone who wants to influence the future of Texas public education. 

As the campaign season unfolds, Teach the Vote will continue to provide nonpartisan, educator-focused resources to help you navigate candidate positions and legislative records. The most important thing you can do now is prepare yourself to do your civic duty by ensuring your voter registration is current, studying the candidates, and making a plan to vote in the March primaries. Your voice, and your vote, will shape the policies that shape Texas classrooms in the future.