It is against the law in Texas for high school principals not to register 17 year olds and older, twice a year. The first opportunity are the first weeks of the fall semester (Aug.-Sept.). The second time are the first weeks of the spring semester (Jan.-Feb.)  The Jan-Feb date may be gone in time for the March 3, 2026 Primary election if you sit on this and take no action. But you should call, visit, write and get your local high school principal to do it anyway. Better late than never.

The Law

The Texas Election Code 13.931 (B) mandates every school district name their high school principal(s) as their Voter Registrar. More importantly, a prospective voter must register 30 days before an election; February 2^nd would be the deadline in 2026. Once asked, if the school district does not make the appointment or the high school principal does not organize a timely voter registration period, they are guilty of a misdemeanor crime. The second time they refuse or just don’t do it, it becomes a felony. This is a serious crime.

Everyone reading this essay had a high school principal; that person might still be there if not their replacement is. To be sure, there is a high school principal or more than one in your community/school district. Go see them and ask they do this voter registration now and again in the first weeks of Aug-Sept. 2026.  Put the request in writing and mail it return receipt requested. When you go see the principal, provide another copy. Just for the record.

The Texas 2026 Primary election is on March 3, 2026. You may be too late for that one but not the General Election in November 3, 2026.

Back in November 2022 only 37.6% of eligible18-year olds actually registered to vote in Texas. It went up to 47% in November 2024. The Texas Demographic Center at Texas A & M University (College Station) projected a total of some 447,000 eligible 18-year olds in Texas in 2026. That number of eligibles if they were registered and voted can swing any election at that time.

Non-Compliance

The University of Houston’s Election Lab estimated that only 25% of all high schools in Texas comply with the law. Most principals admitted to ignorance of this Election Code law (13.031 (B). Others claimed they were too busy and someone else should do this. The law does not provide for exemptions to the law. School districts must do this via their high school principals or face criminal charges.

But it is you who must bring this to their attention and make them comply. You all know who these principals are in your community. If not you can find out and make an appointment to discuss this with them. You may even know school board members who can being this up in a regular school board meeting and ask the Superintendent why they are not complying with the law. You may be a school board member. Don’t pass the buck, you do it.