Early Voting Opens Monday for the Nov. 3 General Election

CAMERON, TX — Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election opens Monday, Oct. 19, and Milam County voters will find one of the longest ballots in years waiting for them — a U.S. Senate race, every statewide office in Texas, judgeships on both of the state's highest courts, state legislative seats, and a full slate of county offices.

Early voting by personal appearance runs Monday, Oct. 19, through Friday, Oct. 30. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Any registered Milam County voter may vote at any early voting location in the county during the early voting period.

Key dates

- Monday, Oct. 5 — The last day to register to vote in this election has passed. If you registered by Oct. 5, you are eligible to vote in November. You can confirm your registration at VoteTexas.gov.

- Monday, Oct. 19 — Early voting begins.

- Friday, Oct. 23 — Last day for the Milam County early voting clerk to receive an application for a ballot by mail. The application must be in the office by this date — a postmark is not enough.

- Friday, Oct. 30 — Early voting ends.

- Tuesday, Nov. 3 — Election Day. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mail ballots must be received by 7 p.m., or postmarked by 7 p.m. on Election Day and received by 5 p.m. on Nov. 4.

Where to vote in Milam County

Early voting locations and hours are set by the Milam County Elections Office in Cameron. (Confirm the county's posted locations, hours, and any weekend voting with the elections office before publishing.) Voters can also find their polling places and view a sample ballot through the Texas Secretary of State's voter portal at VoteTexas.gov, or by calling the state's voter assistance line at 1-800-252-VOTE.

What to bring

Texas voters must present one of these acceptable photo IDs when voting in person:

- Texas driver's license

- Texas personal ID card

- Texas election identification certificate

- Texas handgun license

- U.S. military photo ID

- U.S. citizenship certificate with a photo

- U.S. passport (book or card)

For voters ages 18 to 69, the ID must be current or expired no more than four years. Voters 70 and older may use an expired ID. If you do not have an acceptable photo ID and cannot reasonably obtain one, you may vote by presenting a supporting document — such as a utility bill, bank statement, or government check — and signing a Reasonable Impediment Declaration explaining why.

Voting by mail

Texas voters may vote by mail if they are 65 or older, have a disability or illness, expect to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day, will be out of the county during early voting and on Election Day, or are confined in jail but otherwise eligible. Applications must reach the Milam County early voting clerk by Friday, Oct. 23 — apply early to leave time for the ballot to reach you and be returned.

What's on the ballot

Federal offices — every Milam County ballot

United States Senator. Texans will elect a U.S. senator for the seat being vacated this cycle. The candidates are Ken Paxton (Republican), James Talarico (Democrat), and Ted Brown (Libertarian).

United States Representative, District 17. All of Milam County votes in Texas's 17th Congressional District. Incumbent Pete Sessions (Republican) faces Casey Shepard (Democrat).

Statewide offices — every Milam County ballot

- Governor — Greg Abbott (Republican), seeking a fourth term; Gina Hinojosa (Democrat); Pat Dixon (Libertarian).

- Lieutenant Governor — Dan Patrick (Republican, incumbent); Vikki Goodwin (Democrat).

- Attorney General — An open seat. Mayes Middleton (Republican); Nathan Johnson (Democrat).

- Comptroller of Public Accounts — An open seat. Don Huffines (Republican); Sarah Eckhardt (Democrat).

- Commissioner of the General Land Office — Dawn Buckingham (Republican, incumbent); Benjamin Flores (Democrat).

- Commissioner of Agriculture — Nate Sheets (Republican); Clayton Tucker (Democrat).

- Railroad Commissioner — Bo French (Republican); Jon Rosenthal (Democrat).

Additional candidates from other parties appear in some statewide races. Check your sample ballot at VoteTexas.gov for the complete list in ballot order.

Texas courts — every Milam County ballot

Texas Supreme Court, the state's highest court for civil cases. Voters will decide four seats: Chief Justice — Jimmy Blacklock (Republican) and Maggie Ellis (Democrat); Place 2, for an unexpired term — James P. Sullivan (Republican) and Chari Kelly (Democrat); Place 7 — Kyle Hawkins (Republican) and Kristen Hawkins (Democrat); and Place 8 — Brett Busby (Republican) and Gisela D. Triana (Democrat).

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the state's highest court for criminal cases. Three seats are on the ballot: Place 3 — Thomas Smith (Republican), Okey Anyiam (Democrat), and Mark Ash (Libertarian); Place 4 — Kevin Patrick Yeary (Republican) and Audra Riley (Democrat); and Place 9, an open seat — John Messinger (Republican) and Holly Taylor (Democrat).

Courts of appeals. Milam County sits in the Third Court of Appeals district, based in Austin, where voters will choose a Chief Justice — Cory Liu (Republican) and Darlene Byrne (Democrat). Every Texas ballot also carries the Fifteenth Court of Appeals, the statewide court that hears appeals involving state agencies: Chief Justice — Scott Brister (Republican) and Jerry Zimmerer (Democrat); Place 2 — Scott K. Field (Republican) and Tom Baker (Democrat); and Place 3 — April Farris (Republican) and Marc M. Meyer (Democrat).

State Legislature — every Milam County ballot

State Senator, District 5. Milam County is part of Senate District 5. Incumbent Charles Schwertner (Republican) faces Paul Thomasson (Democrat).

State Representative, District 17. Incumbent Stan Gerdes (Republican) faces Mary Elizabeth Klenz (Democrat).

Milam County offices

County voters will also decide the county's own offices. The following candidates won their party's nominations in the March primaries; no Democratic candidates filed for these county offices this year.

- County Judge — Bill Whitmire (Republican).

- District Clerk — Karen Berry (Republican).

- County Clerk — Jodi Morgan (Republican).

- County Treasurer — Lauri Hooter (Republican).

- County Commissioner, Precinct 2 — James Denman (Republican), who won a contested March primary. Only voters in Precinct 2 will see this race.

- County Commissioner, Precinct 4 — Wesley Payne (Republican). Only voters in Precinct 4 will see this race.

- Justice of the Peace — Precinct 1: Ernest Del Bosque; Precinct 2: Sam Berry; Precinct 3: Andy Isaacs; Precinct 4: David Yarbrough (all Republican). You will vote only in your own precinct's race.

No constitutional amendments this November

Unlike last year's election, the November 2026 ballot carries no statewide constitutional amendment propositions — the Secretary of State's official ballot for this election lists offices only. Depending on where you live, your individual ballot may still include local items, so review your sample ballot before you go.

Before you go

Take a minute to check your registration and look over your sample ballot at VoteTexas.gov — with this many races, a few minutes of homework at the kitchen table beats a long pause in the voting booth. For questions about voting in Milam County, contact the Milam County Elections Office in Cameron or call the Secretary of State's voter assistance line at 1-800-252-VOTE.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and anyone in line at 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.