Deadline Looms to Receive Constitutional Amendment Results

posted on 8.25.2025

- State Newsfeed Reservations Due Sept. 12

Broadcast newsrooms seeking the Secretary of State’s XML newsfeed of unofficial returns for the upcoming Nov. constitutional amendment election have a Friday, Sept. 12, deadline to make reservations for the service.

Stations with questions regarding the election night services should contact Julia Montes or Lillian Eder in the Secretary of State’s Office at (800) 252-8683 or at JMontes@sos.texas.gov or Elections@sos.texas.gov.

Media subscribers will obtain access to an online-based inquiry system with immediate update features.  Vote totals are updated continuously throughout election night as soon as returns are received. The inquiry system will display election results for statewide, district, county, and early voting totals.

In addition to election night return information for the 17 proposed constitutional amendments.

SD 9 and TX 18 special elections

Results for the SD 9 and TX 18 special elections in the DFW and Houston markets are NOT part of the XML newsfeed.  They will, however, be part of the unofficial results on the SOS website (www.sos.texas.gov) the evening of Sept. 12, along with the constitutional amendment returns.  Newsrooms should note that such results typically lag behind the XML feed by approximately five minutes or more.

Candidates in either special election who wish to have their names placed on the special election ballot must file their applications with the Secretary of State no later than 5 PM on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

The winner of the SD 9 special election in the DFW area will fill the unexpired term of former St. Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, who is now leading the Office of State Comptroller.  Hancock is running for the Comptroller position in the 2026 GOP primary election. Announced candidates in the SD 9 race include GOP activist Leigh Wambsganss and Democrat Taylor Rehmet.

In Houston, more than 25 candidates have announced their candidacy to run in the TX 18 special election to fill the unexpired term left by U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston. Turner was a former Houston mayor and longtime member of the Texas House of Representatives who passed away in March. The special election will use the existing TX 18 district lines.  District lines created in a new congressional district map approved by the Legislature last week will be used in the 2026 congressional election.  

Most of the announced candidates for this heavily blue district are Democrats but there are some Republicans, Independents and minor party candidates who have announced their candidacies. Some of the better-known candidates are former Houston city councilmember Amanda Edwards, HD 147 St. Rep. Jolanda Jones, former TX 18 U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee staffer Isaiah Martin, and Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, all Democrats. George Foreman IV, son of the late boxing great, recently announced he is running as an Independent in the TX 18 special election.

Political dates for Nov. 4 election

While odd-numbered years’ November general elections are often thought of as constitutional amendment affairs, there are some Texas municipalities that will use the November general election date to conduct elections such as the Cities of Buda and Leander in the Austin market.  There are also the special elections noted above.  

Upcoming political dates of note include:

Friday, Sept. 5	FCC political window opens - Nov. 4 General Election
Monday, Oct. 6	Last day to register to vote - Nov. 4 General / Constitutional Amendment Election
Wednesday, Oct. 15	Federal Quarterly Report Due to FEC, Covering July 1- Sept. 30, 2025
Monday, Oct. 20	Early voting begins - Nov. 4 General / Constitutional Amendment Election
Thursday, Oct. 23	TX 18 (Houston) Federal Pre-Special Election Report Due to FEC
Friday, Oct. 24	Last day to apply for mail ballot - Nov. 4 General / Constitutional Amendment Election
Friday, Oct. 31	Early voting ends - Nov. 4 General / Constitutional Amendment Election

Questions? Contact TAB’s Michael Schneider or call (512) 322-9944.

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