Record turnout in 2026 Texas primaries, several runoff races set for May

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Last updated: Thursday, March 5, 2026 12:55PM GMT
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It's Your Voice, Your Vote.

Tuesday's Texas primary election saw the highest turnout in the state's history.

On the ballot were local and statewide races, including the race to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate.

ABC13 is following the victories, the losses, and what's ahead for the candidates facing runoffs.

May's election will see a Paxton and Cornyn showdown, while Al Green will face off against Christian Menefee.

If you missed your chance to vote in this past election, you may now register to vote in the next primary, which will take place on May 26.

The last day to register for May's runoff races is Monday, April 27, 2026.

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Mar 04, 2026, 12:43 AM GMT

Your Voice, Your Vote: Live election coverage streaming on ABC13

With reporters all across the state, ABC13 has all the live coverage you need on the 2026 Texas primary election.

Streaming coverage starts right when polls close at 7 p.m. You can watch live updates and results wherever you stream ABC13.

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Mar 04, 2026, 12:39 AM GMT

Polls in Dallas to stay open later after voter confusion, officials say

A district judge has ordered the polls to remain open until 9 p.m. in the Dallas County Democratic primary amid mass voter confusion on Tuesday, according to County Judge Clay Jenkins.

Under new rules requested by the local Republican Party, voters can only cast a ballot at their assigned precinct, rather than at any polling location in the county.

Jenkins said up to 90% of Dallas County voters who showed up at polling locations in Tuesday's primary election were rerouted to different ones.

Before the extension was announced, Senate Democratic candidates U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and State Rep. James Talarico requested that the voting hours be extended.

Talarico's campaign weighed in to express concern about the confusion at voting centers resulting from new voting procedures in Dallas and Williamson counties.

"We are deeply concerned about the reports of voters being turned away from the polls in Dallas and Williamson counties following the GOP's implementation of precinct-specific voting locations for election day," the campaign said in a statement.

Jenkins said the extension did not apply to the Republican primary, which polls will still close at 7 p.m.

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Mar 04, 2026, 12:20 AM GMT

Sen. John Cornyn and allies have spent over $70 million on ads for reelection bid: analysis

Sen. John Cornyn and his allies have spent approximately $71.4 million on ads for his 2026 reelection bid. That's according to analysis by tracking firm AdImpact.

The tracking firm reports his opponents have spent significantly less. $12.3 million for Rep. Wesley Hunt's campaign, and $4.4 million for Attorney General Ken Paxton's ads.

AdImpact says the U.S. Senate primary in Texas is already "the most expensive Senate primary on record," with ad spending or ad reservations surpassing $122 million.

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Mar 03, 2026, 11:22 PM GMT

Harris County voter turnout continues to climb as thousands cast their ballots, officials say

Thousands of voters continue to submit their ballots for the 2026 Texas primary election on Tuesday.

As of 4 p.m. on Election Day, over 126,000 people have cast their vote in person in Harris County, according to officials.

Polls are still open until 7 p.m. tonight.