Texas voters began casting ballots Monday in early voting for the May 26 primary runoff elections, with the high-stakes Republican contest for U.S. Senate between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton drawing significant attention across the state.
Early in-person voting runs from May 18 through May 22 at any polling location within a voter’s county of registration. Election Day is Tuesday, May 26. The runoff determines party nominees for the November general election in races where no candidate secured a majority in the March 3 primary.
The marquee matchup is the GOP Senate primary. Cornyn and Paxton advanced from a crowded March field, with Cornyn receiving roughly 42% and Paxton about 41%. The winner will face Democrat James Talarico in November. Other statewide runoffs include the Republican race for attorney general between state Sen. Mayes Middleton and U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, as well as contests for railroad commissioner and various Democratic and local races.
What's next? 🗳️
— VoteTexas (@VoteTexas) March 6, 2026
Some primary races are headed to a runoff after no candidate received more than 50% of the vote. Runoffs decide who moves on to the general election. Your vote matters! pic.twitter.com/DF4VkFwmfs
Voters who sat out the March primary or voted in the opposing party’s primary are eligible to participate in their party’s runoff. Those who voted in a party’s March primary are generally limited to that party’s runoff ballot.
In North Texas, Dallas County and surrounding areas offer multiple early voting sites with extended hours, typically 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents can check sample ballots and locations through their county election offices or the statewide VoteTexas portal.
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