Texas voters have until Monday, Oct. 5, to register for the Nov. 3 general election. Early voting runs Oct. 19–30, and your county elections office must receive mail ballot applications by Oct. 23. If you’ve moved, check your registration status now at texasvote.org. 

At United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, that broader understanding of civic engagement is central to our work to improve access to education, financial stability and health in North Texas. As Election Day approaches, we encourage all North Texans to take meaningful action in the communities where they live and work. 

What did the March 3 primary show us? 

During the March 3 primary elections, Texans did more than cast their ballots. They demonstrated the state’s growing political energy.  

An estimated 4.35 million voters participated in the 2026 primary, offering an important snapshot of civic participation across Texas. But the significance of an election extends beyond a single Election Day, or even a single election cycle.   

Recent election cycles have provided some important insights into voter behavior in our state:  

• Voter registration is growing, but registration alone does not guarantee turnout. Between January 2025 and March 2026, Dallas County added more than 37,000 registered voters, while Texas added nearly 400,000 voters statewide. However, local election turnout remained relatively low, underscoring that voter registration gains must be paired with robust voter engagement and education efforts. 

• Turnout varies dramatically by election type and community. Dallas County turnout increased from 8.3% in the May 2025 election to 16.3% in November 2025, showing how the timing of an election and what’s on the ballot affect participation. At the neighborhood level, participation disparities are even more striking: Sunnyvale posted turnout above 32%, while some Dallas communities remained below 5%.  

• Texas turnout surged in 2024, but engagement gaps remain. Statewide voter turnout increased from 45.9% in 2022 to 61.1% in 2024, with more than 11.3 million Texans casting ballots. While this reflects strong civic participation during a presidential election cycle, the data also underscores a persistent gap between registered voters and those who ultimately vote. Turnout disparities remain particularly pronounced in lower-income communities and among Black and Latino Texans, highlighting the continued need for year-round civic engagement efforts. Addressing the unique cultural, linguistic and socioeconomic barriers faced by these communities will be critical to expanding participation and building a more representative electorate beyond major election cycles. 

• Texas voter turnout declined in the two most recent presidential elections. Comparing the two most recent presidential elections, Texas voter turnout declined 5.58 percentage points from 2020 to 2024.  This represents an 8.4% decline in voter participation relative to 2020.  

This year’s primary was a reminder that participation can look different from election to election. Civic engagement doesn’t happen in just one way. Some voters participate early, while others vote on Election Day. Beyond the ballot box, North Texans engage by attending community meetings, following local government decisions, volunteering, donating, advocating for policies that affect their communities or helping others navigate the voting process. 

Participation can take many forms. Sustained civic engagement gives us more opportunities to understand the issues affecting our communities and have a voice in the decisions that shape our future. 

When are the Texas voting deadlines for Nov. 3? 

The next key election for Texas voters is the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3. For North Texans, preparation begins well before Election Day. Here are the important deadlines for voters this fall: 

• Oct. 5: Voter registration deadline 

• Oct. 19: First day of early voting 

• Oct. 23: Deadline for the elections office to receive an application for ballot by mail 

• Oct. 30: Final day of early voting  

• Nov. 3: Election Day (polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) 

One timely issue for voters is the Texas voter “suspense” list. More than 1.2 million Texas voter registrations are currently on the list. But a suspense designation does not mean a voter has been removed from the rolls or is ineligible to vote. It generally means election officials have reason to believe the address associated with the voter’s registration may need to be confirmed or updated. 

What voters need to do depends on whether and where they have moved. Voters can check their status and take steps to confirm or update their address ahead of the election.  

With the Oct. 5 registration deadline approaching, Texans should act now to confirm their status or update their registration. Taking care of it now can help prevent unnecessary complications when it’s time to vote. 

Visit www.texasvote.org to check your registration status and prepare to vote. You can: 

• Check whether your registration is active or in suspense 

• Register to vote or update your address 

• Review your ballot and learn about candidates 

• Find your polling place 

• Review eligibility and download an application to vote by mail 

Remember, our voices matter. Our votes matter. And our democracy is dependent on our willingness to show up. 

Voting in North Texas 

For United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, the conversation around voter engagement directly impacts our service area: Dallas, Collin, Rockwall and southern Denton counties—home to approximately 4.1 million residents across 127 ZIP codes.  

Local elections shape many of the issues North Texans encounter daily, from school systems and transportation to housing, public health, financial stability and community resources. At United Way, we encourage you to look beyond presidential elections and learn how local elections and elected officials affect your community.  

Civic engagement starts with staying informed and participating in conversations, volunteer opportunities and public meetings. And it turns into representation when we show up at the polls.  

North Texans can encourage their neighbors to stay engaged by: 

• Sharing clear, nonpartisan information about elections and deadlines 

• Helping first-time voters understand local and primary elections 

• Following public meetings and decisions made by local officials  

• Connecting election issues to neighbors’ everyday concerns 

Can I vote by mail? 

For some eligible voters, voting by mail is an option. Texas does not offer unrestricted no-excuse absentee voting. Per the Texas Secretary of State, voters must meet one of the state’s eligibility requirements, such as:  

• Being 65 or older 

• Having a disability 

• Being out of the county during the early-voting and election day periods 

• Being confined in jail while otherwise eligible to vote 

To find out whether you’re eligible to vote by mail, you’ll need to visit your county elections office. We’ve linked to each county’s office on our voting webpage.  

You also may have heard about a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision involving mail voting. On Sept. 14, the court left in place a lower-court order blocking new U.S. Postal Service requirements for mail ballots from taking effect before the November election. As a result, the new USPS requirements will not be implemented for the Nov. 3 election. 

For Texas voters, the takeaway is straightforward: State eligibility requirements for voting by mail remain in effect. Eligible voters should follow instructions from their county elections office and pay close attention to application and ballot-return deadlines. 

Civic Engagement Is Bigger Than Election Day 

Staying informed about public policy, participating in community conversations, volunteering and advocating on issues that affect our neighborhoods all contribute to a more engaged North Texas. At United Way, we invite North Texans to give, advocate and volunteer throughout the year. 

We connect residents with meaningful opportunities to invest in their communities, use their voices and contribute their time and talents. As Nov. 3 approaches, our goal isn’t only to prepare North Texans for Election Day. It’s to inspire year-round engagement with the issues and communities shaping our region. 

United Way Is Keeping North Texans Informed 

Staying informed is an important part of staying engaged. Through upcoming initiatives, including our “All Eyes on Austin” series, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas brings together business and nonprofit leaders with United Way partners in Denton and Tarrant counties to examine policy issues in education, income and health affecting Texas in the 2027 legislative session. Sign up for the All Eyes on Austin webinar series.  

We also host community conversations around issues that directly affect North Texans, including an Oct. 15 discussion featuring experts on private lending and ways North Texans can protect themselves from harmful financial practices. Register for our Community Conversation on financial well-being. 

Together, these efforts give North Texans opportunities to understand the issues affecting their communities and make informed decisions about how to participate. 

Now Is the Time to Stay Engaged 

With Election Day approaching, remember that civic engagement does not begin or end at the ballot box. It continues through the issues we learn about, the communities we invest in, the time we give and the ways we use our voices. 

Stay informed. Stay engaged. And help shape the future of North Texas alongside United Way.  Sign up for our Advocacy Alerts and Policy in Brief newsletters.