Answer: “These are the results so far. They’re unofficial while election officials finish counting eligible ballots and complete the required review.”

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Why: Election night gives us an early picture. Some eligible ballots can arrive afterward, and provisional ballots still need to be reviewed before results become official.

Anwer: “Totals can change as more eligible ballots are counted. Check your county election office’s updates to see what was added or corrected.”
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Why: Eligible late-arriving mail ballots, military and overseas ballots, and approved provisional ballots can be added after election night. Some voters also have time to correct a problem with their mail ballot envelope. If you receive a notice, follow its instructions promptly. November 9 is the deadline for certain mail ballot corrections.

Answer: “It’s the public meeting where officials review the vote totals and make the local results official. You can attend. Check your county’s website for the date.”
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Why: For county and precinct races, the county commissioners court conducts the final canvass. Other state and federal races require another canvass later. The local canvass must wait until eligible outstanding ballots have been processed, and meeting notice must be posted at least three business days ahead.

Answer: “Yes. Candidates who meet the requirements can request a recount. A close result alone doesn’t trigger one automatically, but a tie can.”

Why: One way to qualify is when the gap is less than 10% of the winning candidate’s vote total. Other grounds also exist. For a regular recount request, the deadline is generally 5 p.m. on the third business day after the final canvass for that race. Candidates can request one earlier, based on unofficial results.

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A recount request does not stop the canvass, but it holds up the certificate of election for the affected race. The requester pays a deposit. If the outcome changes, the full deposit is returned; otherwise, any amount left after costs is refunded.

Answer: “Audits are a scheduled part of the process. Election officials compare selected paper ballots with machine-reported totals to check the accuracy of the count.”

Why: Texas has two scheduled audits this year: a statewide risk-limiting audit of selected statewide races or measures, followed by a post-election hand count audit. These use selected ballots or precincts; they are not a full recount of every race.

The state calendar lists November 19 for the risk-limiting audit. The hand count audit follows, with completion due December 3 unless the Secretary of State sets a later deadline. Counties must post their hand count audit results online.

Answer: “Audits are a scheduled part of the process. Election officials compare selected paper ballots with machine-reported totals to check the accuracy of the count.”

Why: Texas has two scheduled audits this year: a statewide risk-limiting audit of selected statewide races or measures, followed by a post-election hand count audit. These use selected ballots or precincts; they are not a full recount of every race.

The state calendar lists November 19 for the risk-limiting audit. The hand count audit follows, with completion due December 3 unless the Secretary of State sets a later deadline. Counties must post their hand count audit results online.

Answer: “Most state and federal results become official at the state canvass, the formal review and approval of vote totals from the counties. That step must happen by December 7. The Legislature reviews and approves the governor and lieutenant governor results separately in January.”

Why: The Governor conducts the state canvass on a date set by the Secretary of State, between November 21 and December 7. The Legislature canvasses the governor and lieutenant governor races when it meets in January.

January 2027

Answer: “Different offices have different start dates. Here are the main ones.”

• January 1: Regular terms begin for county and precinct officials. They take office that day or as soon afterward as they qualify.
• January 3 at noon: New congressional terms begin. The date Congress meets and members take their oaths can differ.
• January 12: The Texas Legislature convenes.
• January 19: Expected inauguration day for the governor and lieutenant governor, following the constitutional schedule tied to the Legislature’s organization.

Answer: “Candidates have formal ways to challenge results. They may request a recount or bring a legal challenge. A challenge starts a review process. It does not, by itself, mean the results are wrong.”

Why: A recount checks the vote totals. A legal challenge can raise questions about which ballots were counted or how the election was conducted. Courts can review evidence and decide what action the law requires. Some contests, including those for Texas governor and lieutenant governor, are handled by the Legislature instead.

Filing a challenge doesn't automatically stop officials from reviewing and certifying results. What happens next depends on the specific challenge and any orders issued.