Texas Ethics & Campaign Finance Blog
Explore additional guidance on Texas campaign finance, lobby reporting, and personal financial statements. Our blog posts will remind you of upcoming deadlines and give some general guidance to candidates, officeholders, political committees, lobbyists and personal financial statement filers so accurate, complete and timely reports are filed.
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Early Voting ends today; Election Day is Tuesday!
How are you feeling? Excited? Exhausted? Apprehensive? Can’t wait for it to be over? All of those things? Me, too! Good luck to all of the candidates! And let’s all be mindful of our manners because whether our candidate wins or loses, in the end we all want what is best for Texas. Speak your mind in the voting booth, but be kind to all once you exit. See you on the other side!”
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Early Voting ends next Friday, and 8-day reports are due on MOnday (October 26, 2026)!
If you haven’t voted already, go vote! The line at polling locations will be extremely long on November 3, 2026; avoid the crowds and vote now.
If you filed a 30-day report, you automatically owe an 8-day report. If you didn’t file a 30-day report but you have had recent activity, you may owe an 8-day report. Fines for a late 8-day report are $500 for the first day late and $100 for each day thereafter that the report is late, up to a maximum of $10,000. Filing an 8-day report late can be very costly; don’t get caught.
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Early Voting starts on Monday!!
We are coming down to the wire. I know you are exhausted at this point, whether you are the actual candidate or you support/oppose one or more candidates. Good luck to everyone! If you have questions about possible electioneering at polling locations, direct your questions to the Texas Secretary of State’s Election Division at 800-252-8683. And do your part – get out and vote!!!!
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It’s less than 30 days before the election!
It’s coming fast, right? Do you need help with your 8-day report that is due on October 26, 2026 and covers activity through October 24, 2026? Do you have questions on last-minute political advertising you want to do? Call me; I might be able to help. Contact me at 512-666-8816 or patti@shannonreports.com.
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Campaign Finance Filers: The 30-day report is due TODAY!!
Don’t be late; you don’t want to have to pay a $500 fine. Plus, you want the public to know what you’ve been doing to help yourself get elected.
And remember it covers activity through September 24, 2026, not today.
TEC filers have until 11:59 PM to file their reports if they file electronically; for local filers, your report must be RECEIVED by 5:00 p.m. TODAY.
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Campaign Finance Filers: Do you owe the 30-day report?
Campaign Finance Filers: Do you have to file a 30-day report? The period covered for that report ends today! If you are a Texas candidate or PAC and you owe the 30-day report, the period covered by that report ended yesterday.
It is due on October 5, 2026, but it covers activity through yesterday. You can file that report starting today, but it must be filed by October 5, 2026. That is very confusing for many filers. If it is confusing for you, call me and I’d be happy to explain the difference between a due date and the period covered for campaign finance reports due in Texas, and help you determine if you owe this report. Contact me at 512-666-8816 or patti@shannonreports.com.
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Political Advertising for November 2026 Election
Are you creating political advertising for Texas statewide or local candidates running in the November 3, 2026 election? Do you know what the disclosure statement or highway right-of-way notice is? If you are not the incumbent, do you know about the “for” requirement? Do you have questions about when you can put up your signs (which is not governed by state law)? If so, let me lend a hand! Contact me at 512-666-8816 or patti@shannonreports.com.
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October 2026 Reporting Deadlines for Texas Candidates and PACs
For Texas candidates and PACs involved in the November 3, 2026 election, remember that you may owe a report on October 5, 2026 and October 24, 2026 to either the Texas Ethics Commission or your local filing authority. If you are not sure if you owe a report, I can help. Contact me at 512-666-8816 or patti@shannonreports.com.