Early voting opens for Texas primaries; students in Travis County can vote at campus sites and nearby locations

February 22, 2026

Early voting for the Democratic and Republican primaries started this week and runs through Feb. 27. Election Day is March 3, and voters who want to use a mail ballot must meet application and delivery deadlines to have their ballots counted.

Students registered to vote in Travis County may cast their ballots at any designated early voting site within the county. On-campus polling places include the Texas Union and the LBJ School of Public Affairs, with nearby options such as the Travis County Civil and Family Courts Center, the Austin Recreation Center, and the Travis County Clerk’s office.

Most early voting locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Feb. 17-21 and Feb. 23-27. Voting hours on Feb. 22 are set for noon to 6 p.m. Additionally, select sites including the Texas Union and the Travis County Clerk’s office will extend hours to 10 p.m. on Feb. 26 and Feb. 27 to accommodate later voters.

The ballot includes races for U.S. Senate and Texas governor, along with several federal and state legislative contests. Statewide and county offices are also on the ballot, including judgeships, state and county commissioners, and the contest for Texas House District 49. Voters will also decide on multiple propositions, some tied to education and health care issues.

Primary voting rules depend on party affiliation. Voters who have not declared a party this calendar year may choose to vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary. Those who registered as a member of a party can only vote in that party’s primary. Party designations in Texas expire at the end of each calendar year.

A photo ID is required to vote in person; acceptable forms include a Texas driver’s license or a U.S. passport. Voters do not need to present a physical voter registration card at the polling place if they are already registered.

Voters eligible for mail ballots must request them by Feb. 20. The request must reach the elections office by the stated cutoff, and completed mail ballots must arrive by 7 p.m. on March 3, or by 5 p.m. on March 4 if postmarked by 7 p.m. on March 3. Mail voting is available to someone who will be outside their county during early voting and on Election Day; other qualifying reasons include illness, disability, pregnancy, or giving birth within three weeks after Election Day.

This story was first published on Feb. 16 by Amanda Brantley and translated to Spanish by Sofia Pease. Students with questions should consult the Travis County elections office or the Texas Secretary of State for the latest hours and site lists.