Texans heading to the polls this November will decide the composition of the state’s most important courts. The Texas Supreme Court, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and a number of intermediate appellate courts all have seats on the 2026 ballot, giving voters a direct voice in the judiciary that interprets civil, juvenile and criminal law for the Lone Star State.
Texas Supreme Court races
The Texas Supreme Court is the highest authority for non‑criminal, civil and juvenile matters. It sits in Austin and is made up of a chief justice plus eight associate justices, each elected in partisan contests for six‑year terms. In this election, voters will select a new chief justice (Place 1) and three associate justices (Places 2, 7 and 8). All candidates run under party labels, reflecting the state’s tradition of partisan judicial elections.
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals races
The Court of Criminal Appeals is the state’s top criminal court, also located in Austin near the Capitol. The nine‑member bench, including a presiding judge, is elected statewide in partisan elections for six‑year terms. This cycle, Places 3, 4 and 9 are up for election. Because the seats are statewide, the contests are not tied to any specific geographic district.
Intermediate appellate courts
Texas maintains 15 courts of appeals that handle both civil and criminal appeals from district and county courts. The first fourteen courts have geographic jurisdiction, while the 15th Court of Appeals has statewide civil jurisdiction and exclusive authority over civil appeals involving the state, its agencies or its university system.
Each appellate court is headed by a chief justice and includes at least two additional justices, with the total number of justices ranging from three to thirteen depending on the court. The 2026 ballot lists several specific seats:
- Justice, 2nd Court of Appeals, District, Place 2
- Justice, 2nd Court of Appeals, District, Place 7
- Justice, 5th Court of Appeals, District, Place 3
- Justice, 5th Court of Appeals, District, Place 6
- Justice, 5th Court of Appeals, District, Place 8
- Justice, 10th Court of Appeals, District, Place 2
The new 15th Court of Appeals
The 15th Court of Appeals was created by Senate Bill 1045 in 2023 and became effective on September 1, 2024. Initially, the court will consist of a chief justice and two associate justices for its first three years. Voters will see those three positions on the ballot this year. Future seats (Place 4 in 2028 and Place 5 in 2029) will be added as the court expands, with both slated for the 2030 general election.
Why these races matter
Judicial elections in Texas shape the interpretation of laws that affect families, businesses and communities every day. The Supreme Court decides major civil disputes, from property rights to contract law, while the Criminal Appeals Court reviews death‑penalty cases and other serious criminal matters. Intermediate appellate courts serve as the first line of review for most appeals, influencing how lower courts apply statutes and constitutional principles.
Because these judges are elected in partisan contests, voters can assess candidates’ legal philosophies and how they align with traditional values, limited government and respect for the Constitution. Engaged citizens are encouraged to review candidate filings, attend local forums and consider endorsements from trusted community and faith leaders before casting their ballots.
How to vote
All judicial races appear on the general election ballot on November 3, 2026. Voters can find their precinct information on the Texas Secretary of State website or by contacting their county elections office. Early voting locations remain open through the first week of November, and absentee ballots are available for qualified voters.
By participating in these elections, Texans help ensure that the state’s courts reflect the principles of justice, personal liberty and the rule of law that underpin our great state.
Original reporting: Richardson, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
