Election Calendar

Name: Election Register Examination
Start: 2026-12-31T00:00:00-07:00
End: 2026-12-31T23:59:59-07:00

Download the Election Calendar: 2025 | 2026

September 2026
September 18, 2026 / 12:00 am - 5:00 pm

Absentee Ballot Delivery Witnesses

Deadline for political parties to supply names of witnesses (if desired) to accompany the clerk in the personal delivery of an absentee ballot for the Nov. 3 election.
September 18, 2026 / 12:00 am - 5:00 pm

Investigation of Candidate Qualifications

Deadline to file complaint
September 18, 2026

Mail Absentee Ballots

Deadline for county clerks to complete mailing ballots to voters in designated mail ballot precincts – for the general election.
September 24, 2026

Voting Procedure Modifications

Deadline for county clerks to submit their plans to the secretary of state; if they want to modify voting procedures (for a political subdivision) — for the Nov. 3 election.
October 2026
October 2, 2026

Designate Polling Places

Deadline for county commissioners to designate polling places — for the Nov. 3 election.
October 9, 2026

Mail Ballot Precincts – Begin Mailing Ballots

County clerks may begin mailing ballots to voters located in designated mail ballot precincts — for the Nov. 3 election.
October 13, 2026

Early Voting May Begin

For the Nov. 3 election in those counties that choose to conduct early voting.
October 20, 2026

Mail Ballot Precincts – Finish Mailing Ballots

Deadline for county clerks to complete mailing ballots to voters in designated mail ballot precincts — for the Nov. 3 election.
October 22, 2026

Poll Watchers

Deadline for candidates or pro and con representatives to submit a written request (to the county clerk) for the purpose of authorizing watchers to observe at polling places — for […]
October 22, 2026

Publish First Election Notification

Deadline for county clerk to publish the first notice of election — in the county’s official newspaper(s) — for the Nov. 3 election. (If possible, the notice should appear in […]
October 23, 2026 / 12:00 am - 5:00 pm

Absentee Ballot Application Deadline

Applications must be received by the county clerk by 5 p.m. — for the Nov. 3 election.
October 23, 2026

Preregistration Deadline

Voter registrations must be received by the county clerk — for the Nov. 3 election. (Deadline is 5 p.m. for paper applications handed in or mailed to the county clerk’s […]
October 29, 2026

Publish Second Election Notification

Deadline for county clerk to publish the second notice of election along with a facsimile sample ballot — for the Nov. 3 election. (If possible, the notice should appear in […]
October 29, 2026

Emergency Absentee Ballots

County clerks may receive emergency absentee ballot applications through 5 p.m. on November 2 from those who cannot be present for voting due to hospitalization if hospitalization began after 5 […]
October 30, 2026 / 12:00 am - 5:00 pm

In-Person Absentee/Early Voting Ends

At 5 p.m. — for the Nov. 3 election.
November 2026
November 3, 2026 / 12:00 am - 8:00 pm

Absentee Ballot Return Deadline

Voted absentee ballots must be received — by the county clerk — by 8 p.m. for the Nov. 3 election.
November 3, 2026 / 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Election Day

Polling places — and the county clerk’s office — to be open 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Qualified individuals may register and vote at their designated polling place on election day.
November 4, 2026

Voter Registration Reopens

Voter Registration Reopens
November 12, 2026

County Canvass

Deadline for the board of county commissioners to meet and conduct the canvass — of the Nov. 3 election. (This deadline also applies to the canvass for political subdivisions.)
November 12, 2026

County Election Certification

Deadline for county clerks to certify the results of the Nov. 3 election to the clerk of the political subdivision(s) and the county candidates who received the highest number of […]
November 12, 2026

Election Certificates

Deadline for the clerk of the political subdivision to issue certificates of election. (*This date may vary; to be done immediately after the county canvass.)
November 13, 2026

Postelection Audit Selection

The Secretary of State shall conduct the randomized selection for the counties to be audited for the general election.
November 24, 2026

State Canvass

Deadline for the state board of canvassers to meet and conduct the canvass – of the general election.
November 24, 2026

Secretary of State to Issue Certificates

The Secretary of State shall issue certificates of nomination to candidates who received the highest number of votes. (*This date may vary; it must be done immediately after canvass.)
December 2026
December 2, 2026

Recount Applications: County, Nonpartisan, Local Ballot Measures

Deadline – for nonpartisan candidates and supporters/opponents of local ballot measures – to apply to the county clerk for a recount of the general election. Applications for a recount of […]
December 2, 2026

Election Disputes: County, Nonpartisan, Local Ballot Measures

Deadline for electors to contest the results of the Nov. 3 election. (*This date may vary; complaints must be filed in the proper court within 20 days of the county […]
December 14, 2026

Recount Applications: Federal & State Candidates, Statewide Ballot Measures

Deadline to apply to the Attorney General for a recount. (*This date may vary; it must be done within 20 days after the state canvass.)
December 14, 2026

Election Disputes: Federal & State Candidates, Statewide Ballot Measures

Deadline for electors to contest the results of the Nov. 3 election. (*This date may vary; complaints must be filed in the proper court within 20 days of the county […]
December 31, 2026

2027 Election Calendar Publication Deadline

County clerks to publish the 2027 election calendar.
December 31, 2026

Election Register Examination

Deadline for county clerks to examine the election register, from the Nov. 3 election, and note challenges.

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