Those planning to cast a ballot in the November 3 election — including in a U.S. Senate race that polls have placed among the closer contests this cycle — are required to be registered in Texas by October 5. Beyond the gubernatorial contest, the ballot carries a range of statewide and local positions whose outcomes stand to influence the direction the state takes in the years ahead.

Voter registration in Texas closes on October 5, ahead of Election Day. Eligible participants who wish to vote are required to fill out a registration form and deliver it to their county's election office no later than 30 days ahead of the relevant election date. Among the pathways available, prospective voters can submit an application through the Secretary of State's online portal, request a paper form directly from that office, or reach out to — or walk into — their local voter registrar.

Residents of Texas can head to VoteTexas.gov — where the Secretary of State hosts a voter registration lookup tool — to verify that their enrollment is active and their address on file is current. Registration details on file with the state can be brought up to date through the VoteTexas portal.

Residents of Texas who need to renew, replace, or update contact details on a driver's license or state ID through the Department of Public Safety have the option of refreshing their voter registration at the same time — all handled online.

Placement on the suspense list happens when address verification for a voter falls through at the county level. Two situations can trigger this outcome: mail sent for an election goes back marked undeliverable, or voter-roll administrators receive data pointing to a possible change of address. Those whose address remains within the same county are able to submit a standard ballot once a residency declaration form has been filled out. People who have relocated across county lines may find themselves directed to their former polling place or handed a provisional ballot instead.

To cast a ballot in Texas, a person is required to hold U.S. citizenship, maintain residency in the county where the registration form is filed, have reached at least 17 years and 10 months of age at the time of filing and turn 18 by Election Day, carry no felony conviction, and not be subject to a probate court finding of total or partial mental incapacity that strips away voting rights.

Voters who want to cast their ballot by mail are required to submit their applications no later than October 23. Ballots may be cast in person during the advance voting window, which runs from October 19 through October 30. Voting for the presidential race falls on the third of November.

Eight statewide contests are set for the November ballot, with Republican Ken Paxton facing Democrat James Talarico for the U.S. Senate seat, Greg Abbott defending the governorship against Gina Hinojosa, Dan Patrick holding the lieutenant governor's post against Vikki Goodwin, Mayes Middleton in the attorney general's race against Nathan Johnson, Don Huffines and Sarah Eckhardt contesting the comptroller's office, Dawn Buckingham and Benjamin Flores competing for the General Land Office commissionership, Nate Sheets and Clayton Tucker squaring off for the agriculture commissioner's post, and Bo French drawing a challenge from Jon Rosenthal for a seat on the Railroad Commission.

Voters across Texas will find all 38 of the state's U.S. House districts listed on their ballots. Anyone planning to vote can find a sample ballot and details about nearby races by reaching out to the election office that serves their area.