VOTING MADE SIMPLE • TEXAS 2026

A primary election is how each political party chooses its candidate for the general election. Think of it as the opening round -- the field of candidates narrows down to one per party before the big November vote.

In Texas, primaries are held in March of even-numbered years. In 2026, the primary was on March 3.

• •ˆEach major party holds its own separate primary
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• • Voters choose which party's primary they want to vote in when they arrive at the polls
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• • Texas does not require you to register with a party -- you choose at the ballot box
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• • To win outright, a candidate must receive more than 50% of the vote
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• • If no candidate clears 50%, the top two advance to a Primary Runoff

A primary runoff happens when no candidate in a primary race received more than 50% of the vote. The top two finishers from March face off one more time -- head to head, winner take all.

The primary runoff isthe election May Matters exists to support.It's happening onMay 26, 2026-- and most people don't know it's coming.

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• • Only races where no candidate cleared 50% in March go to a runoff
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• • In 2026, more than 30 state and federal races are headed to the May 26 runoff
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• • Turnout typica lly drops more than 50% from the primary -- so every vote carries far more weight
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• • In many Texas districts, the primary runoff winner almost always wins in November
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• • That means for these races, May 26 is effectively the final election

The general election is the one most people think of when they hear "Election Day." It's where party nominees face each other -- along with any independent or third-party candidates -- to decide who actually holds public office.

In Texas, general elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even-numbered years. In 2026, that's November 3.

• • All registered voters can participate -- no party ballot to choose
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• • Decides federal, statewide, and local offices
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• • May also include ballot measures, constitutional amendments, and local propositions
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• • Typically draws the highest turnout of any election cycle

A special election is called outside the regular election calendar to fill a vacant seat or decide a specific issue -- a resignation, a death in office, or a statewide ballot measure that can't wait until November.

Special elections in Texas are called by the Governor and can happenat almost any time of year.

• • Used to fill vacancies in the U.S. House, Texas Legislature, or other offices
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• • Can also be used for constitutional amendments or bond measures
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• • Nonpartisan in format -- all candidates from all parties appear on a single ballot
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• • If no candidate wins a majority, the top two go to a runoff regardless of party
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• • Tend to have very low turnout -- making individual votes carry even more weight

Local elections decide who runs the things that affect your daily life most directly -- your schools, roads, property taxes, emergency services, and water systems. These races often get the least attention and have the lowest turnout, which means your vote goes further here than almost anywhere else.

In Texas, most local elections are held in May of odd-numbered years, but the exact timing varies by jurisdiction. Some cities and school districts hold elections at different times -- and some local races also appear on the November general election ballot.

• • Most local elections in Texas are nonpartisan-- candidates don't run under a party label
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• • Runoff rules apply here too -- if no candidate clears 50%, the top two go to a runoff
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• • Turnout is often under 10% -- a small, organized group can decide outcomes
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• • Local offices directly control school funding, property tax rates, zoning, and public safety

PARTIES, BALLOTS, AND PRIVACY.

Texas has a few quirks around party affiliation that trip people up. Here's how it actually works.