Collin County Releases 2026 Election Primer, Key Dates and Deadlines

Collin County election officials issued a primer on December 18 that sets the timetable for the 2026 election cycle and spells out deadlines that will affect both voters and prospective candidates. The county reiterated that the filing deadline for party primaries was December 8, and that the primaries themselves will be held on March 3, 2026. The document also provides the first and last dates to apply for ballots by mail, which open on January 1, 2026 and close on February 20, 2026.

The primer lists early voting windows and runoff dates for races that do not produce a majority winner, and it highlights several contested local and legislative primary races that will determine representation for Collin County residents. Those contests carry consequences for local services, school boards, and legislative priorities that shape daily life in suburban and rural communities across the county.

Collin County Elections Administrator Kaleb Breaux explained how the county is determining the number of vote centers under state law and Senate Bill 985. Officials expect roughly 91 to 100 election day locations across the county. That planning process will influence travel times to the polls, staffing needs at polling sites, and the distribution of resources such as voting machines and bilingual materials.

For voters, the primer is a practical tool. It reminds residents to confirm voter registration status well ahead of mail ballot and primary deadlines, to request ballots by mail within the January 1 to February 20 window if unable to vote in person, and to note the March 3 primary date on their calendars. The county will publish maps and final vote center lists as they are confirmed, and county officials encourage residents to monitor updates from the Collin County elections office to ensure they have the latest information before the primary season begins.