Texas Primaries 101: How they work and what to expect in 2026
In Texas, the primary election is where the ballot for November starts to take shape. It’s the moment voters decide who will advance to the general election and, in many communities, the primary can be the most competitive (and most decisive) election of the year.
This guide breaks down the basics of the Texas primary system and key dates ahead of the March 2026 election.
What is a primary election?
A primary election is the process political parties use to choose which candidates will represent them in the general election. Primaries happen for races at every level: local, state, and federal. Depending on where you live, you might see races for things like:
- U.S. Congress
- State Legislature
- Statewide offices
- District judges and other local positions
- County-level leadership
Texas primaries are not just “practice rounds” for November. They’re the election stage where voters start narrowing the field and where the outcomes can directly shape what choices everyone sees at the ballot box later in the year.
How Texas primaries work
Texas runs a party primary election to determine which candidates will appear on the general election ballot. Texas has an open primary, which means:
- You do not register by party in Texas.
- You can choose to vote in either party’s primary on Primary Election Day.
- You can only vote in one party’s primary per election cycle (you can’t vote in both Republican and Democrat).
When you show up to vote during the primary, you’ll be asked which primary you want to participate in, and you’ll receive that party’s ballot.
The goal: win the nomination
In the party’s primary, the nominee is the candidate who receives more than 50% of the vote.
What happens if nobody gets a majority?
If there are more than two candidates in the primary and no candidate earns more than half the vote, Texas holds a runoff election between the top two candidates. Runoffs are common in Texas and can be just as important as the first primary; sometimes more, because the race is narrowed to two finalists and there is greater pressure to make it to the final round.
Why primaries matter in Texas
Primaries matter everywhere, but they matter especially in Texas for a few big reasons:
- Primaries decide who even makes it to November. By the time voters reach the general election ballot, candidates have already cleared a major hurdle: winning a primary or getting nominated through the party process. In many cases, the general election ballot only includes one candidate, with no opponent running against them. That means the primary is where voters can have the biggest influence on who advances, especially in crowded races.
- Many races are decided by a small share of voters. Turnout in primaries is typically lower than in November elections. That means a smaller number of people can have an outsized impact on who becomes the nominee. In plain terms: your vote can carry more weight. Even if you’ve never voted in a primary before, this is one of the strongest reasons to start.
- Primaries shape public policy decisions that impact you. Primaries aren’t just about high-profile races. They can be the gateway to offices that influence your everyday life, through budgets, schools, public safety, infrastructure, courts, and community services. If you care about what’s happening in your neighborhood, your county, your school district, or your state, the primary is part of how that leadership pipeline gets built.
- Voting in primaries helps set the direction of representation. A primary isn’t just about picking between names. It’s also about deciding which candidates, priorities, and governing styles voters want to see move forward. No matter your views, primaries are one of the clearest ways to make your voice count early in the process.
Key dates for the March 2026 Texas Primary
If you want to vote in the March primary, these are the deadlines to have on your radar:
- Monday, Feb. 2, 2026: Last day to register to vote for the primary
- Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026: Early voting begins (in person)
- Friday, Feb. 20, 2026: Last day to apply for a ballot by mail (received, not postmarked)
- Friday, Feb. 27, 2026: Early voting ends (in person)
- Tuesday, March 3, 2026: Primary Election Day
- This is also the last day counties can receive a ballot by mail.
- Tuesday, May 26, 2026: Primary Runoff Election Day (if needed)
Tip: Early voting locations and hours are set locally, so the fastest way to confirm where to go is to check your county elections website or start with the state’s voter hub at VoteTexas.gov.
Why your vote matters right now
It’s easy to think of elections as something that happens every couple of years, far away from your daily life. But primaries are one of the most direct ways Texans shape what comes next.
And because turnout is often lower than in November, voting in a primary is one of the most powerful ways to have your voice heard.
If you want a say in what the general election ballot looks like, then showing up in the primary is how you get it.
For more information on how to register and confirm your voter registration, and preview your ballot, check out this blog: “Before You Vote: A Texas checklist to ensure you’re election-ready”