2026: A Texas-Sized Review

2026 is off to an interesting start! So far, we have already lived through several significant events that will be discussed in the history books for years to come. The good news (for some) is that there is still plenty of road to travel until we say goodbye to 2026. Here in the Lone Star State, we are preparing for midterm elections that will shape the future of state and local government. And, at the legislative level, the Texas House and Senate are beginning to examine interim charges that will help shape legislation for the 90th Legislative session, which begins in early 2027.

End of Primary Season and Midterm Elections 

If you were too busy focusing on March Madness or the World Baseball Classic, you might have missed that we just held an important primary election in Texas. The primaries decided some of the candidates who will face off in the midterm elections later this year, but there is still time to participate, as we are set for a few important runoffs on May 26.

Once primary runoffs are over, it will be time to focus on the midterm elections. These elections represent the first real test of Texas’s new congressional map, after the Texas Legislature agreed to a mid-decade redistricting of the thirty-eight seats it holds in the U.S. House of Representatives. Some key election dates to remember in 2026, according to the Secretary of State’s website, include:

Tips for Nonprofits Considering Election-Related Activities 

Of course, it’s important to remember that 501(c)(3) public charities are not allowed to influence or advocate for the election or defeat of candidates that are running for public office. That being said, there are plenty of nonpartisan opportunities for nonprofits to get involved and shape the discussion.

Some election-related activities your 501(c)(3) might consider before midterm elections include:

1. Engaging in voter registration efforts
   • The deadline to register people to vote is October 5, so there is plenty of time to organize a voter registration drive in your community. Just remember to keep your voter registration efforts nonpartisan and to follow state law, which dictates who can register voters and how.
2. Hosting a candidate forum or debate
3. Distributing nonpartisan voter guides and candidate questionnaires
   • Your organization can create or distribute voter guides and other resources that contain more information about the candidates who will appear on the ballot.
4. Preparing the community to vote
   • Once registered, it is important to know where and when to vote. From  sharing information about how voters can find information about their polling centers to reminding voters about crucial early voting dates and election day, organizations have plenty of options to ensure high voter turnout.
5. Training staff, board members, and volunteers on how to remain nonpartisan
   • Midterm elections can serve as good test runs for nonprofit staff to ensure everyone understands the boundaries for 501(c)(3)s. Consider developing or updating an internal policy that establishes what those acting on behalf of the organization can and cannot do. You might also consider hosting a training for your staff on what it means to remain nonpartisan.

If you would like to learn more about these activities — and how to conduct them in a safe, nonpartisan way — I  recommend reviewing our library of election resources, like the Rules of the Game.

2026: Interim Year at the State Legislature 

The Texas Legislature only meets every odd-numbered year, so the year in between legislative sessions is known as the interim. During this period, the leader of each chamber (House and Senate) releases a list of charges that could give us some insight into potential legislation for the upcoming legislative session. Since legislators are supposed to study these issues in committees, this opens the door for nonprofits to participate in the process. For example, nonprofit organizations involved in various issue areas may request to testify at interim committee hearings or submit written comments.

The interim year also represents a great opportunity to build and maintain relationships with legislators, who may be stepping into new leadership roles. Just remember that communications with legislators that attempt to influence legislation (or make legislative proposals) may qualify as lobbying and need to be tracked against a public charity’s lobbying limits. They may also trigger state-level lobbyist registration and reporting.

Committees have already started scheduling hearings in both the House and the Senate, so be sure to stay up to date with the latest news.

Let’s take a look at some of the key Senate committees and charges for the interim set by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

Meanwhile, Speaker Dustin Burrows released his first set of interim charges for the Texas House of Representatives. As you may remember, Speaker Borrows rose to the helm following Rep. Dan Phelan’s two-term reign.

Let’s look at some of the key House committees and their charges:

Visit our website to access our Texas-specific resources and to learn more about how 501(c)(3) public charities can safely engage in legislative and election-related advocacy.