Texas civic guide
The laws and deadlines that matter when you want to change something in Texas: how to get public records, how public meetings work, and how to vote.
Your 2026 election
General election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
- Register by
- Online not available · Mail postmarked Oct 5 · In person Oct 5
- Same-day registration
- No
- Early voting
- Oct 19–30
- Statewide ballot measures
- No statewide measures on this ballot.
Public records
Anyone can ask a government agency for copies of its records. You usually don't have to say why.
- Law
- Texas Public Information Act
- Citation
- Tex. Gov't Code ch. 552
- First response deadline
- Promptly; if not within 10 business days, must certify in writing a date it will be ready
Open meetings
Most government boards must meet in public and post notice ahead of time.
- Law
- Texas Open Meetings Act
- Citation
- Tex. Gov't Code ch. 551
Recording conversations
One-party consent (Tex. Penal Code § 16.02)
This is about recording conversations. Recording officials in public is a separate question that courts decide case by case.
More to know
- Pre-registration age (sign up before 18)
- 17 years and 10 months
- Ballot initiatives
- No statewide citizen initiative. Change goes through the legislature.
What's bugging you in Texas?
Pick an issue and we'll show you who handles it and help you write to them.
Start on Civic Ladder →Learn the skillsSources
- https://texascityattorneys.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/PIA-Basics-BLongley.pdf
- https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/open-government
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/preregistration-for-young-voters
- https://ballotpedia.org/States_with_initiative_or_referendum
- https://www.click2houston.com/decision-2026/2026/10/02/texas-voter-guide-2026-what-to-know-before-the-nov-3-election/
- https://www.sos.texas.gov/elections/forms/proclamation-general-election-2026.pdf
General civic information, not legal advice. Laws and deadlines change; confirm with the official office. Election details as researched 2026-10-17.