Texas High Court Election Features Three Open Seats

Three seats are up for election on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals this October.

Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Criminal Justice

Texas High Court Election Features Three Open Seats

Live Poll

Do you support having separate high courts for civil and criminal cases?

Three seats are currently on the ballot for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Voters across Texas are participating in this significant judicial election.

Why it matters

The Court of Criminal Appeals serves as the final authority on criminal cases in Texas. Its distinct status reflects the unique way the state handles judicial oversight compared to other jurisdictions.

A total of 3 seats are appearing on the ballot for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. It remains unknown which specific candidates are competing for these judicial positions.

The players

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

This is the highest state court for criminal cases in Texas.

Texas Supreme Court

This institution serves as the final authority for all civil matters in the state of Texas.

The details

Texas remains one of only two states, along with Oklahoma, that utilizes a bifurcated high court system where criminal and civil matters are handled by separate bodies. While this court manages criminal appeals, all civil cases in the state are directed to the Texas Supreme Court.

The three seats are appearing on the ballot in October 2026.

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Legal Context

This election operates under the Texas constitutional provision for a bifurcated judicial system. The ballot process directly follows the pattern set by this specific structural requirement.

Residents across Texas will determine the composition of the state's highest criminal court through this ballot process. The outcome of these three races will shape the judicial interpretation of criminal law for years to come.

The takeaway

Understanding the separation between criminal and civil high courts is essential for navigating the Texas legal landscape. Voters should review the candidates for the three available seats to understand how their judicial philosophy may impact future criminal cases.